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Where can I get proper coaching and
training in the Olympic clay target sports?
USA Shooting has instituted a new policy establishing Regional Training
Centers that focus on the international shotgun sports. There are
currently two such RCTs. The first is Willawalla Creek Gun Club at
Saint Jo, Texas, where Olympian Bret Erickson is head coach. The phone
number is 940-759-4695. Brett’s website is
www.bretericksom.com . The other
is my program, the Youth Development Shotgun Team at the North Mountain
Sportsmen's Association in Muncy Valley, Pa. My e-mail is
les@greevy.com and phone is
570-326-6561. To achieve the RTC designation the facility, program, and
coaches must go through a vetting process established by USA Shooting
and meet certain standards as well as carry on an active program of
training, competitions and introductory programs for new shooters. Only
programs with a known successful track record achieve the RTC
designation.
Do I have to shoot the 24-gram international load?
Not necessarily. International trap is shot with a 24-gram payload of
shot that can be no larger than size 7, generally at a muzzle velocity
of about 1350 fps. 24 grams is almost exactly the same as 7/8 ounce, so
that this load can be duplicated easily by re-loaders. In USA
Shooting-sanctioned matches it is not necessary to shoot the 24-gram
load unless you are a top-classed shooter or are attempting to make one
of the national teams—in which case, it is mandatory. This rule is
unique to the United States and is not applicable worldwide but was
introduced to make international trap more available to shooters who do
not have access to the international load. My recommendation, however,
is to shoot the international load. It's easy enough (and with current
lead prices, it is much cheaper) to reload and now the factory
international loads, especially the imported ones are more readily
available. Even the 7/8 ounce hi-speed promotional loads at the chain
stores work reasonably well.
Should I quit shooting ATA?
Absolutely not. You need to shoot ATA matches to develop competition
experience because there is very little international competition in
this country. Although it is beginning to change with the development
of more youth programs and the SCTP state qualifying matches there are
really only four national class international trap shoots for you during
each year. These include the spring selection match in the April
timeframe, the national championships in June or July and the junior
Olympic national championships in August or September followed by the
fall selection match typically in September or October. That is not
enough. It is absolutely necessary that you hone your competition
skills in ATA and particularly at the big shoots—state and zone
championships, the Satellite Grands, and the Grand American. That's
where you learn how to win. Some people are concerned that they will
not be able to switch back and forth between the different target
speeds. In my experience that has not been a problem. Several members
of the Youth Development Shotgun Team who have achieved National Team,
National Development Team, or Junior Olympic Team status are also
multiple state champions, Grand champions and ATA All-Americans. They
transfer easily back and forth between ATA and international trap and
find that each discipline complements the other and makes them better
shooters. I look at it as cross-training.
Where can I shoot
Olympic trap?
The best list of Olympic trap bunkers and
addresses, as well as the contact person, phone number and/or e-mail
address and website, if they have one appears at BJ McDaniel's website
www.deadtargetschool.com . This website, run by the 20 year
assistant national shotgun coach also contains excellent information on
training plans, shooting diaries and articles geared to the needs of
elite shooters. There is a lot of very useful material there.
What kind of a gun
do I need?
International trap is shot almost exclusively with
over- and-under shotguns choked modified to improved modified in the
first barrel and I-mod to full in the second. I like the Krieghoff gun
especially for double trap because you can set different points of aim
for the first and second barrels. Semi-automatics and pump- action guns
are very rarely seen. There are several reasons for this, including the
desirability of having two separate chokes for your two shots; the fact
that the shooters stand on a straight (rather than curved) line and the
traditional automatic will toss fired shells on the shooter to your
right; the need to empty and clear the semi-automatic before changing
shooting stations and the need to load two shots which can occur only
after the shooter to your left has completed his shots; and the tendency
of the semi- automatic to set off the voice-release system when the
action is closed. The sum total of all of these things tend to disturb
squad rhythm but are, more importantly, handicaps to the semi-auto
shooter. If you are intending to try Olympic trap, give yourself a fair
chance and don't handicap yourself by attempting to shoot with a semi
automatic.
How do I know my
child can be competitive in Olympic trap?
This question gets asked in a lot of different ways
and, to some extent it has a number of different answers. But
basically, if a youth is competitive at ATA shooting, there is no reason
he/she should not be able to be competitive in international trap.
Olympic trap shooting is a harder game than ATA and the scores are
lower--- there is no question about that. While Olympic trap is a slower
paced, more focused game, the targets are much faster and the angles
harder. But the qualities that make an outstanding ATA shooter are the
same qualities that make an outstanding bunker shooter. They include
focus, determination, commitment, a love of shooting, and tremendous
support from family and their communities. Like ATA it is not a cheap
game, but there is much more than just expense involved, as there are a
lot of family decisions that have to be made along the way. But most
importantly, there is the dream: the dream of the Olympic gold medal.
That has to be an amazingly strong dream for someone to train at the
highest level month after month and year after year for the opportunity
to qualify as one of the two men or only one woman to represent the
United States and shoot at 150 trap targets once every four years at the
Olympics. It is that dream that separates the Olympians from everyone
else. Do you have it?
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And the good news keeps coming from our
trapshooters as they continue the Satellite Grand circuit!
After
our guns captured the HAA and HOA at the Spring Grand, the action moved
to San Antonio Texas for the Southwestern Grand. Richard Marshall, Jr.
captured the Doubles Championship and HOA followed by Rob Taylor in HOA
Runner Up position. Taylor ran straight hundreds in two doubles events,
making for a picture perfect finish!
Southwestern victory was enjoyed by several of our shooters. Long time
Krieghoff shooters Phil Kiner, Harlan Campbell, Jr. and Rich Kaysa were
among the winners, as was Sean Hawley, recent newcomer to our shooting
family. While the veteran shooters were enjoying success, Sub Junior
Kross McCarty was blazing championship trails with his K-80. After
capturing five Sub Junior Championships, McCarty finished as Sub Junior
HOA Champion.
Some
late news reached us from the Southern Grand and Florida State Shoot.
Eugene Ginn of Earleville, MD, took 5th position in the
Handicap Championship. A southpaw shooter for most of his shooting
career, Ginn took his K-80 Trap Special to the other shoulder after an
injury, proving our guns are made to fit.
Keith
Heeg enjoyed a win at the Florida State Shoot in the non-resident
singles championship. It all came down to a 75 bird shoot off and a one
bird victory. Trap is all about excitement!
We’re
excited by the realization that in the first four Satellite Grands of
2008, the K-80 Trap Special has been the winning gun 13 out of 20 times
in the 400 championship. Designed specifically for trapshooters to
catch those rising targets, the Trap Special has become the chosen
shooting companion of champions. With the introduction of the new Pro
Rib and the fixed choke model, the Trap Special continues to cater to
you, the trapshooter.
Now is
the perfect time to contact your Krieghoff Dealer about the K-80 Trap
Special, as the season reaches full swing. Visit
www.krieghoff.com for more
information, and make the champion’s choice!
Sean Hawley
Record 1,130 registered straight Doubles – New ATA Record!
13 Time All American
11 Trap and Field Average Awards (4 first place)
Highest doubles average on record; 99.67 (2002)
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Krieghoff K-80
Trap Special
see what's new for 2008!
Les Greevy operates the Youth
Development Shotgun Team at the USA Shooting Regional Training
Center in Muncy Valley, Pa., where he provides novice- to
championship-level training in American and Olympic clay target
games for individuals and groups with emphasis on visual, mental and mechanical skills.
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