1. When do you practice?
2. My child has never even held a gun before. Will he or she be successful?
3. How old does my child need to be?
4. Is it possible to try it out before we join the team?
5. Will my athlete be required to compete?
Practice for athletes competing in Amateur Trap Association (ATA) trap shooting practice from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on all but the last Sunday of the month at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays.
Practice for athletes competing in Olympic Trap practice from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on all but the last Sunday of the month at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays.
All practices and competitions may be found on the Team Info page.
No. We hope that you will be interested in competitions because that is where many life lessons are taught. However, competition is not required. You may compete in as many or as few competitions as you prefer.
There is no minimum age requirement because participation on the team is based upon the athlete's ability to safely use a firearm.
The maximum age permitted is 22 years of age. These senior members of the team mentor new teammates while remaining under the coaches' supervision.
An athlete who has never held a shotgun before coming to Tampa Bay Clays has the same opportunity for success as the athlete who has. Competitive clay target shooting has very little resemblance to hunting.
Like all other sports, the athlete's success depends on their dedication to the sport.
Membership Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Our Give It A Shot program is the first step to membership. It gives prospective members an opportunity to see if they like the team and the sport without obligation.
Give It A Shot is three hour program that teaches firearms safety, discusses the various shooting sports in which we compete, and answers questions about the team.
The program ends with participants applying what they have learned at the trap range. The first puff of smoke athletes see from a broken target is enough to get them hooked!
Firearms and ammunition are included in the $25 fee and completion of the program meets the team's requirement that all members complete a firearms safety program.