What Are The Differences Between Trap And Skeet?

by
posted on August 8, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
trapvsskeet1.jpg
International Skeet (pictured above) is a demanding discipline, much more difficult than the American game. The field is the same as that for American Skeet; seven stations on a semi-circular course between two target throwing houses and an eighth station at the mid point between the houses. Each round of skeet is 25 clay targets, but the similarity ends there. International targets are thrown faster and farther than American targets. Doubles are shot from stations three, four and five, and a delay of up to three seconds from the time the target is called for until it is thrown is permitted. Even more challenging, the shooter must call for the target with the gun butt held below waist level.

American Skeet has been a popular shotgun sport since its origination in the 1920s as a means of practicing wing shooting. As with International Skeet, the fields are physically identical. Two target throwing stations are used, in houses behind the first and seventh stations, to throw targets that meet at a point midway between the houses and 18 feet in front of the number eight station. Competitors shoot singles and doubles from stations one, two, six, and seven, and singles from stations three, four, five, and eight. A shooter repeats the first target missed as an option bird for a total of 25.

American Trap is the oldest shotgun game, having originated in England before the American Revolution. Its present form developed after the invention of the clay target by George Ligowski about 1880. In American Trap, a single target throwing machine is located at a point 16 yards ahead of an arc on which have five shooting stations. The thrower, or trap, propels birds at a variety of angles up to 22 degrees on either side of a line between the center of the trap and the center of station three and at a maximum height of about 17 feet. A regulation target travels some 50 yards at a starting velocity a little under 60 mph. Shooters fire on five targets from each station, for a total of 125 targets for the squad in each round.

International Trap, is a variation on the true international sport that uses a single trap, variable for height as well as for horizontal angle. The game is called Automatic Trap or Wobble Trap. The target thrower in Wobble Trap can throw targets within 45 degrees from the center line between the trap and station three and at heights that vary from 40 inches to 13 feet above the trap house roof. Like International Skeet targets, International Trap targets are thrown faster and farther than American targets. However, unlike American Trap, an International competitor may fire two shots at each target thrown.

Photo by USA Shooting

Latest

Rangeusa Interview 3
Rangeusa Interview 3

Range USA: Redefining the Indoor Gun Range Experience

In 2025, Range USA opened its 50th location in Chester, Va., showing how a customer-first approach turned a single indoor gun range into a nationwide phenomenon.

New: Beretta 694 Black DLC

Beretta updates its popular 694 sporting shotgun with a black DLC finish, refined ergonomics and competition-driven tweaks aimed at consistency and durability.

What’s In Your Range Bag, Amanda Pettersen?

Amanda Pettersen, Alaska-Fairbanks rifle standout and Norwegian national team member, reveals her competition gear, achievements and advice for new shooters.

NRA Introduces Three New F-Class Competition Categories for 2026

The NRA adds three new F-Class categories—F-Production, F-Precision/Any Rifle and F-Limited—to expand participation and modernize competition without altering traditional divisions.

NRA AR-Tactical Mid-Range Prone Is No Longer Provisional, Has a New Look

After a decade of testing, NRA approves AR-Tactical Mid-Range Prone as a full High Power discipline, adds two rifle categories and simplifies rules.

Review: Ruger RXM Pistol

Ruger’s RXM blends Glock Gen3 compatibility, Magpul modularity and solid range performance at a price aimed squarely at competitors.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.