April is not only an excellent month to celebrate the Semana Santa in Malaga, the Feria in Seville or Athletic Club Bilbao winning the SM el Rey Cup after 40 years of drought.

April is also a wonderful month to celebrate the 57th Fitasc European Championship Sporting, and even more so given the location where it is being held.

It is being held at Las Yedras Shooting Resort, Antequera, Malaga.

LAS YEDRAS SHOOTING GROUND RESORT

Excellent location, unbeatable estate of 800 hectares, just 30 minutes from Malaga International Airport.  With an infrastructure of hotels, restaurants and tourism around the Resort that is difficult to beat for many shooting complexes where continental or world championships are held. And I say this from my own experience.

During the championship, the weather could not be more favourable, 22 degrees, sunny days.

Days in which, after throwing away “your” fifty clays, it is delicious to enjoy a delicious snack on the terrace of the Resort: soft drinks, salads, grilled meat …. can you ask for more?

Perhaps the most unfavourable part of the weather during the championship is the wind. This prevailing wind is making unimaginable clay target trajectories. Beyond those traced by our friend José Manuel Perea.

THE CLAY TARGETS OF THE COMPETITION

“Hard, difficult target” was the most generalised comment from the more than 800 shooters….

No! No, they were referring to the quality of the Corsivia clay target, the official clay target for the competition. They were referring to the difficulty of the course, the excellent work of the tracer José Manuel has been “improved” by the gusts of wind.

At the same time, the performance of the Corsivia target was highly praised by the shooting community and organisers.

While the shooters valued very positively the stability of the flight (even in windy conditions), its excellent paint and ease of breakage, the organisers mentioned the quality of the packaging; it was very much appreciated that the cardboard, the packaging of the target, had perfectly withstood the downpours of the days before the competition.

ALMOST 800 SHOOTERS TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION

The championship is concentrating almost 800 shotguns. Despite being a European championship, shooters from Brazil, Thailand, Venezuela and the U.S.A. are visiting us, what a resounding success!

Although the list of great shooters would be very long, impossible to detail here, we would like to highlight the presence of people like George Digweed, Beatriz Laparra, Ben Husthwaite…

There is no doubt, all the shooters are enjoying the facilities provided by Las Yedras Shooting Ground.

THE SHOOTING GROUND

According to the words of experts in the sector and shooters who have “traveled” around the five continents, these facilities have nothing to envy to the best in the world. The 8 shooting lanes that host the championship are proof of this. Each firing line is equipped with four stands, each stand with four Promatic machines.

In addition to the 8 shooting lanes, the 800 hectares of the complex also include:

– An area to enjoy a pool. It is beautiful to watch the shooters compete head-to-head for a place in Saturday’s final. This competition area combines clay pigeon shooting (100% natural clay targets of the VIVAZ Clay target brand) with helice shooting.

– Various training stations, where the shooters enjoyed the days before the training.

– 5 permanent compak.

Can you ask for more from a resort like this? But what’s more, it is open all year round, with the possibility of housing the shotgun, making it easier for foreign shooters to travel.

Just imagine! You don’t have to worry about having to travel with your shotgun “on your back”.

DURING THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Apart from the 57th European Championship Sporting itself, there are four aspects of the sporting aspect that have attracted my attention the most.

First, the “open ceremony”

A spectacle. The Antequera bullring served as the stage for the parade of national teams, I lost count of the number of nationalities, 30? 35 countries represented? Few sports concentrate such many nationalities.

After the parade, in addition to the words of welcome from the president of the Fitasc, Mr. Palinkas, we were able to enjoy the best Spanish art; equestrian art of first level and best sevillanas.

The social area

Secondly, the social / hospitality area of the resort. Throughout the championship we have a first-class food and beverage service. I have already mentioned it before, how nice it is to be able to eat a good grilled meat on the terrace, with the Malaga mountains as the main protagonist, a view like no other!

The Gun Shop service

Third, an impeccable armory service. Armeria Percofan not only supplied, in an agile way, any brand of cartridge to the shooter, but has also contributed to providing added value to the shooter, is a guarantor of immediate resolution of any anomaly, a luxury to have their services.

The fact that the Percofan Gun shop is located just 25 minutes from the shooting ground is a guarantee of service for the Yedras Shooting Range; any shooter from abroad will have any need satisfied in little more than an hour. Can you ask for more?

The commercial area

Fourthly, the commercial area. There are few places / championships that, to the agents who participate in this sector, offer us an area in which, in addition to exhibiting our products (in my case the Corsivia shooting plates), we can share good times with our clients, collaborators and competitors, without making an exhaustive list.

A pleasure to greet you, Natalia, Lola, Mamen, Jose Mari, Mikel, Nigel, Ian, Markus, Luc, Marco, Elicio, Alex, Javier, Jose Antonio, Jhon, Beatriz, Nico …. and I am leaving some people behind.

From the satisfaction of having been able to participate in this great event, I want to congratulate the winners of the championship, even with tiebreakers!

Congratulations to all of them.

For me, even more important, and from my heart… I would like to say THANK YOU to Paco Márquez, Manuel Dovado, Celedonio Molina, Paco Piña and José Antonio Raposo. They are the real architects of this championship (and of those to come, I have no doubt). 

Through, I take the liberty of calling him friend, José Miguel Percofán, I had the good fortune to meet the four entrepreneurs, 4 years ago, during a dinner in a hotel near the sports facilities. I shared with them their passion for the sport of trail running, their dreams of shooting, their ambitions, their project to develop the Yedras Shooting Resort. I was impressed and amazed by what they told us. 

. There are few places / championships that, to the agents who participate in this sector, give us an area in which in addition to expose our products (in my case the Corsivia shooting plates) we can share good times with our customers, partners and competitors, without making an exhaustive list … a pleasure to greet you, Natalia, Lola, Mamen, Jose Mari, Mikel, Nigel, Ian, Markus, Luc, Marco, Elicio, Alex, Javier, Jose Antonio, Jhon, Beatriz, Nico …. and I am missing some people …

 From the satisfaction of having been able to participate in this great event I want to congratulate the winners of the championship, even with tiebreakers! Congratulations to all of them.

For me, even more important, and from my heart… I would like to say THANK YOU to Paco Marquez, Manuel Dovado, Celedonio Molina, Paco Piña and Jose Antonio Raposo. They are the real artifices of this championship (and of those to come, I have no doubt). 

Through, I take the liberty of calling him friend, Jose Miguel Percofan I had the good fortune to meet the four entrepreneurs 4 years ago, during a dinner in a hotel near the sports facilities. I shared with them, their passion for the sporting shooting, their dreams of shooting, their ambitions, their project to develop the Yedra Shooting Resort. I was impressed and amazed by what they told us. 

With time, with a lot of work on their part (just like Jose Miguel, I am aware of it) and without asking anything to anyone. They have built their dream, it is already a reality. These days, during the FITASC 57th European Championship sporting I have checked it.

From my heart, thanks to the two Pacos, thanks Manuel, thanks Cele, thanks Jose Antonio! You are not aware of what you have built. What a magnificent economic impact you have left to the city of Antequera.

Congratulations on a job excellently done, keep going!!!

If I can help in any way, I will do my bit… (I recognize that now, after your resounding success, it is easy to say it… I do not want to join your success, it would not be fair on my part… but… I do want to be a humble part of your project… I am there, at your service!!!)

Jose Miguel, my friend, I can’t forget you! Thanks for counting on me in your journey. At your service… always!!!! Proud that Corsivia counts on you.

You know it… Someone told me “give me 9 “percofanes” and I’ll move the world….”. Thank you. Best regards.

Enrique Navarro – Managing Director Corsivia Clay Target  

La entrada FITASC 57TH FITASC EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTING se publicó primero en Corsivia.

But, why is Sporting the favourite discipline of hunting lovers?

Well, because it is the perfect modality to improve skills and average hits, since, through the launching of specific shooting targets, the behaviour of the game species present in any hunting day is reproduced, in a shooting range suitable for that purpose.

BUT WHAT IS SPORTING, AND WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF

Sporting shooting is a sport shooting modality with shotgun, regulated by the FITASC, in which the runs or flights made by game animals are imitated by launching specific shooting targets of different sizes, with different speeds and different trajectories.

Before the FITASC regulated this discipline, this practice began as a popular activity among groups of friends who needed to improve their skills and marksmanship on their hunting days.

It was not until the 20th century when hunters began to use English shooting schools to practice the shots they were less proficient in. From then on, competitions began to be organized for this type of public, which gradually grew and, with them, the need to regulate it.

In Spain, the first Sporting competition was held in 1975, in the International Championship of Spain.

HOW THE FACILITIES OF A SPORTING FIELD SHOULD LOOK LIKE

A Sporting shooting range is characterized by being located in large extensions of land, which can be flat, with slopes, with or without wooded areas.

However, they must be equipped with a sufficient number of trap machines to allow the shooters to find the same shooting conditions as during a natural hunting day, that is to say, they can simulate the hunting of partridges, ducks, pheasants, rabbits, etc.

Each area of land for the practice of the hunting trails will consist of a variable number of partial trails, between 1 and 8, each of which will have a certain number of shooting posts where the participants will be placed.

The machines will always remain hidden from the shooters so as to reflect, as faithfully as possible, the runs or flights of the different species.

Never forgetting, of course, the mandatory safety zones.

WHAT EQUIPMENT IS NECESSARY FOR A SPORTING COMPETITION

As in any other discipline of clay pigeon shooting, to practice Sporting you need to have a series of equipment, more than recommended, as a shotgun, a good helmet, eye protection glasses and, in this case, also sunglasses and a vest.

But in addition, taking into account that the length of the shooting range is quite more considerable than in the other modalities, and that, on this occasion, you will have to walk long distances throughout the day, we also recommend you to equip yourself with:

• Water or isotonic drinks.
• Comfortable shoes and good socks.
• Comfortable and elastic clothes that allow you to perform all the movements without difficulty.
• And, although it may seem strange to you, a chair where you can rest when you arrive at each of the shooting stations while you shoot 25 targets for each of the six shooters.

WHAT IS THE BEST SHOTGUN FOR THE PRACTICE OF SPORTING

Undoubtedly, the best shotgun for Sporting is the one that allows the pellets to come out through the barrel at the highest velocity, since the targets, in this case, move very fast.

Which are the shotguns that allow us to obtain this speed?

Shotguns with a barrel length of more than 70 centimetres. The most common in these cases are shotguns between 70 and 71 centimetres, although those of 75 centimetres can also be a very viable option.

What is interesting to take into account when choosing your shotgun is that it has polyshocks, so that you can select the most appropriate shock for each occasion, depending on the type of target or the orography of the place.

WHICH AMMUNITION IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE FOR SPORTING

To answer this question, let’s focus on what the regulations of this modality determine:

The cartridge load is limited to 28 grams, with a tolerance of + 2%.

What is the reason for using one or the other?

Simple. With a load of 28 grams, when pushing less weight of lead, we will get more velocity, while if we increase that 2%, we will get more pellets per cartridge.

Leads should have a spherical shape and a regular diameter between 2 and 2.5 mm (with a tolerance of plus or minus 0.1 mm).

What to consider in the case of ammunition:

• The use of dispersers or other loading devices is strictly forbidden, as well as the use of reloaded cartridges.
• The mixing of dimensions and different lead qualities is strictly forbidden.
• The use of black powder, as well as tracer cartridges, is forbidden.
• The referee may ask the shooter, before he starts shooting and at the shooting stand, for two cartridges for control. The referee must take one cartridge from the shooter’s right pocket and one from the left pocket of the shooter’s vest or shooting garment.

BASIC RULES OF BEHAVIOR ON SPORTING

Like any type of clay pigeon shooting, Sporting have their own rules, which you can see in more detail in the official regulations.

Here we are going to leave you some of the most relevant rules that you should take into account when practicing this discipline:

• All shooters must ask for the target with their guard down.
• When shooting, the shooter must keep the stock close to the body, at a distance of more than 25 centimetres from the cross of the shoulder. A good way to control this distance is to indicate it on the vest by means of a ribbon or embroidery.
• Once the target has been ordered, the shooter may not make any movement with the shotgun until he/she spots the target. If the shooter initiates the baiting at the sound of the machine, the target will be considered null and the participant will be warned of a foul. If two warnings are accumulated, the skeet will be considered zero. This is undoubtedly the most useful rule for the hunter, since, acting in this way, he will be able to increase his chances of shooting his prey.
• Of the 25 targets to be shot per series, a minimum of three doubles may be shot:
  • On the shot, i.e., the first plate comes out when ordered and the second comes out when shot.
  • Simultaneous, i.e., when they are fired at the same time.
  • Burst, i.e., when one comes out on request and, after loading the machine, another one comes out that will have the same trajectory.

WHAT ARE THE BEST SHOOTING TARGETS FOR SPORTING

We have already mentioned at the beginning of this article that Sporting is a sporting shotgun shooting modality in which the races or flights made by game animals are imitated by launching specific shooting targets of different sizes and thicknesses, with different speeds and different trajectories.

Each of the different targets is designed to mimic the flight or race of a hunting species, which brings more excitement to this discipline.

In Corsivia, we offer the following clay targets so that you can enjoy your days of Sporting:

• Rabbit: With the same size as our standard target, but with a harder and more resistant edge. The launching of this target is done from machines adapted so that it can roll out, simulating the rodent’s race. Three options are available:
  • Rabbit: diameter 100, height 16 mm and weight 120.
  • Mini Rabbit: diameter 100, height 11 mm and weight 100.
  • Extra Rabbit: diameter 110 and weight 130.
• Mini and Midi: these are smaller targets than the Rabbit, so the speed at which they are usually launched is higher than usual. Specifically, our Mini target is a very fast and easy to lose sight of, so it is launched from quite close to the shooter and with a trajectory parallel to his position. They simulate the flight of partridges and grouse. In Corsivia we offer you two options:
  • Mini 60: diameter 60 and weight 30.
  • Midi 90: diameter 90 and weight 70.
• Patena: This is a very thin target that tries to simulate the flight of a turtle-dove. It has a very changeable and fast flight: it comes out from the edge and turns until it shows its belly and then falls quickly. In Corsivia we offer you 1 option:
  • Battue: diameter 108 and weight 70.

Now you have all the basic and necessary information to decide if Sporting shooting is for you.

Have you ever thought of practicing this discipline before?

La entrada SPORTING, THE FAVOURITE DISCIPLINE OF HUNT ENTHUSIASTS se publicó primero en Corsivia.

This is not intended to be a definitive and unique guide, but we do want to give you the basics that will help you when making your first decisions about the equipment you will need, the existing modalities or safety rules.

Apart from some tips, of course.

So don’t miss it and take good note of everything you need.

MODALITIES OF CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING: EXPLORING VARIETY

As we explained in our blog article “clay target shooting: Olympic and sporting modalities“, the disciplines of clay shooting are divided, precisely, between these two disciplines.

Sporting shooting includes numerous modalities, among which Universal Trench, DTL (Down the line), Compak Sporting and Sporting.

Olympic shooting includes modalities such as the Olympic Trap, Double Trap or Skeet.

Exploring these disciplines will not only broaden your experience as a shooter, but also provide you with a range of opportunities to hone various marksmanship and adaptability skills.

Let’s look at each of these disciplines a little more in depth.

UNIVERSAL TRENCH

It is one of the sporting disciplines in which the shooter must always be alert to be able to act quickly, so it is necessary to have a very good composure and technique, which makes it one of the favourites of the most experienced shooters.

But do not think that it is a discipline that you should be discarded in advance.

Practising it will surely make you discover skills you thought you didn’t have.

Briefly, we will tell you that this modality consists of 5 shooting stations where the shooters receive the targets launched from the 5 machines installed in a pit located in front of them.

The trajectories of the targets vary from one shooter to another, but they all shoot the same number of targets at the end of each round, which consists of 8 series with a total of 200 targets, that is, 25 targets for each series.

DTL (DOWN THE LINE)

Very popular in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe, among others, this modality consists of 5 shooting posts in the shape of a crescent moon, placed 16 yards away from the trap machine.

Each shooter must shoot from each of the shooting positions consecutively. That is to say, he/she may start at any of the shooting posts and must move to the next one until all five are completed.

COMPAK SPORTING

Undoubtedly, the most practised discipline by hunting lovers. If you are one of them, surely you already know it.

On this occasion, from the 5 shooting posts that make up a Compak Sporting field, targets are launched with highly variable trajectories, which try to simulate the unexpected trajectories of game species, making it one of the most exciting modalities.

If you like challenges, this is your discipline.

SPORTING

If you are a lover of small game, this may be your best option.

It takes place in large extensions of land with ravines, vegetation and tree masses, which hide the flight of the target from the shooter to obtain greater realism and difficulty.

The shooting positions, the number of trap machines and the trajectories of the targets will depend on the extension of the terrain.

OLYMPIC TRAP

This is the Olympic modality that we are sure you already know.

6 shooters are arranged in the 5 shooting stations (one on standby) and will rotate to shoot at the targets launched from each of the trap machines: 5 per shooting station and 15 in total.

DOUBLE TRAP

Reaction and speed are the main characteristics that define shooters in this discipline.

Each shooter must shoot at two targets launched at the same time with divergent trajectories. So, if you want to get good results practicing this modality, you must be quick and fast.

Once on the shooting range, you will have three machines located in a pit in front of the shooting posts, each of which will shoot two targets simultaneously.

Quite a challenge!

SKEET

Do you know where its name comes from? In 1926, a U.S. shooting magazine offered $100 to whoever could find a name for this discipline. “Skeet,” derived from the Norwegian “shooting,” won.

Discipline that simulates the shots that upland hunters encounter in the field.

A Skeet shooting range consists of two stands, one high and one low, at each end of a semicircle composed of 8 shooting positions. Starting with the high stand, shooters move through 7 positions around the semicircle, firing a set combination of shots at each shooting stand. The number 8 position is placed between the high stand and the low stand, and the final shots require the shooter to break a plate shot from each.

Exciting, isn’t it?

EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING

Don’t panic! You won’t need to buy all the recommended equipment for clay target shooting before you start practising for the first time, but we do want to detail all the recommended equipment for this sport.

From the most essential, such as the shotgun, to the most basic, such as clothing.

The main thing is that you can practice your favourite sport in complete safety.

SHOTGUNS FOR CLAY TARGET SHOOTING

For those new to clay target shooting, single-barrel shotguns and semiautomatics are fairly popular choices. Single-barrel shotguns are known for their simplicity and low cost, while semi-automatics offer a quick succession of shots without the need for manual reloading.

The most recommended calibers for beginners are the 20 and 12 gauge. The 20 gauge is known for having less recoil, being more comfortable for beginners, while the 12 gauge offers a wider variety of cartridges available.

If in doubt when choosing your shotgun, always consider factors such as weight, length and grip. Try different models and seek expert advice to help you find the shotgun that best suits your individual preferences and needs.

Before you decide to buy your own shotgun, for which you will need to obtain an E type gun license, try a few classes. Most gun clubs have an exemption that allows non-license holders to shoot with someone who holds a range officer’s certificate.

SHOOTING HELMETS AND EYE PROTECTION

Did you know that the chances of suffering from deafness increase up to 4 times in hunters and shooters with respect to the rest of people who do not practice hunting or clay target shooting?

That is why it is so important to wear hearing and eye protection at all times during practice and competition.

Hearing and eye protection are essential to prevent injuries caused by noise and target fragments, as well as to help us extend our shooting practice by helping to mitigate hearing fatigue.

To protect your ears, you can choose between earplugs and noise reduction headphones. Earplugs are more compact and lightweight, while headphones provide greater coverage and comfort.

Always look for the option that best suits you and be sure to adjust it to your needs to gain in comfort.

APPROPRIATE CLOTHING

Clay target shooting clothing should be comfortable and allow you to move without any restrictions.

You will not need specific pants or sweaters, although we do recommend that you wear appropriate footwear and a specific shooting vest.

Shooting vests provide compartments for cartridges and facilitate quick access to ammunition.

Proper footwear provides stability and traction in various range terrain conditions. Sturdy boots would be the most appropriate choice to provide you with additional support.

It may also be advisable to use reflective vests and protective caps as additional items, which not only contribute to safety, but also improve visibility on the shooting range.

SAFETY RULES, YOUR PRIORITY IN CLAY TARGET SHOOTING

Clay target shooting, as you can imagine, is a sport that cannot be taken lightly. The first rule, and the most fundamental, is precisely to know all the existing safety rules from the first minute you arrive at the shooting range.We have already talked about this in several articles of our blog. Today we leave here the most important ones to avoid any kind of problem.

Basic Rules at the Range

• Safe Behavior: always follow proper guidelines to maintain a safe and respectful shooting environment.
• Responsible Gun Handling: don’t neglect the guidelines on how to handle shotguns safely and ethically.
• Field etiquette: learn how to communicate with other shooters and always respect the rules of the range.

Tips to Avoid Accidents

• Safe Gun Storage: Do not neglect the rules for storing and transporting your shotgun in the safest way.
• Equipment Pre-Inspection: it is vitally important that you regularly check your equipment to ensure it is in good working order.
• Effective Communication on the Range: learn how clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and dangerous situations.

SOME TIPS FOR STARTING YOUR TRAINING SESSIONS

Constant training is fundamental to improve your clay target shooting. That’s why we want to give you some tips to help you learn how to get the most out of your training sessions:

• Practice regularly at a shooting range. Find a nearby range and schedule regular training sessions. Participate in local events and competitions to gain experience and meet other shooters.
• Work on your technique and position. Pay attention to your stance, grip and eye tracking while aiming and shooting. Work on your hand-eye coordination to improve your accuracy.
• Learn to anticipate the target. Watch the trajectory of the targets and train your ability to anticipate their movement. Practice shooting different types of targets to become familiar with their velocities and trajectories.
• Control the recoil of the shotgun. Recoil can be intimidating for beginners. Work on your grip technique and position to reduce its impact. Gradually, you will get used to the recoil and learn to handle it better with practice.
• Improve accuracy. Accuracy is critical in clay target shooting. Practice aiming and visual tracking to improve your skills. Work on your concentration and breathing to stay calm while shooting.
• Stay motivated. Clay shooting can present challenges, but it also brings satisfaction. Set achievable goals and celebrate your accomplishments. Join online communities or clay shooting clubs to connect with other shooters and share experiences.

Yes, it seems like a lot of information at first, so if all this seems too complicated for you to do on your own, we recommend that you look for a club near your home, with professionals who will help you with your progress and guide you so that, little by little, you will learn everything you need to know about this sport.

Look for a club with experienced and qualified instructors who will guide you properly. Instructors will teach you the correct techniques, provide advice and help you develop the necessary skills to become a successful shooter. Look for reputable clay shooting schools in your area and read reviews from other shooters to make sure you find a reliable and competent instructor.

Now that you have all the information you need to know about the sport, are you going to take the plunge and put it into practice this year?

If you do so, we would love to hear about your experience.

La entrada CLAY SHOOTING GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GET STARTED IN THIS SPORT se publicó primero en Corsivia.

A 200-targets Universal Trench competition with 144 participants, sponsored by Corsivia clay targets.

Our sales team was present at the competition to check that everything was in order: the Corsivia shooting clay targets, the trophies, the raffle…

A great success, which we want to share with you!

JOSÉ MARÍA JIMÉNEZ MEMORIAL

Since 2016, the Pilar shoot has been held punctually every year in Villanueva del Gállego, Zaragoza.

From 2021, this grand prize has become the José María Jiménez, “el maño” memorial. Died in August 2021, he was a great collaborator of Corsivia and an indisputable reference in technical shooting facilities.

He had an enormous experience in sport shooting and a great prestige that preceded him in a multitude of shooting ranges all over the country.

This year 2023, his memory has also been present in the competition.

ONE COMPETITION, MANY SUCCESSES

As we have already mentioned at the beginning, this year there has been a Universal Trench competition with 200 targets in 8 heats with 144 participants.

At the end of the competition, the prizes were distributed as follows:

1st category:

• Xabier Azpeitia: champion with 197 broken targets.
• Vincent James: second with 195 broken targets.
• José Luis Aguaron: third with 195 broken targets.
• Gregorio Fuentes: fourth with 195 broken targets.
• Julio Jimenez Álvarez, fifth with 194 broken targets.
• Antonio Gutiérrez: sixth with 193 broken targets.

2nd category:

• Oscar Manuel Martin: champion with 192 broken targets.
• Rubén Cano: second with 191 broken targets.
• Noel Mestre: third with 190 broken targets.

3rd category:

• Manolo Parra: champion with 187 broken targets.
• Eduardo López: second with 186 broken targets.
• Jordi Martí: third with 185 broken targets.

4th category:

• Sergio Martínez Ros: champion with 182 broken targets.
• Rufino Ruiz Orosa: second with 174 broken targets.
• Fernando Fanlo: third with 167 broken targets.

Seniors:

• Antonio Gutiérrez: champion with 193 broken targets.
• Jean J. Susperregui: second with 192 broken targets.
• José Ibáñez: third with 192 broken targets.

Ladies:

• Judit Jimeno: champion with 164 broken targets.
• Laura Massons: second with 164 broken targets
• Francesca Noel: third with 159 broken targets.

Veterans:

• Mariano Ralui: champion with 188 broken targets.
• Sebastián Ayestaran: second with 179 broken targets.
• José Castillo: third with 177 broken targets.

Masters:

• Jesús Garralda: champion with 171 broken targets.
• Rafael Velasco: second with 168 broken targets.
• Juan Yebenes: third with 167 broken targets.

Adapted:

• Jorge Julve Barra with 179 broken targets.

Commercial equipment:

• Camping Car: champion with 578 broken targets.
• Armería Prieto Valladolid: second with 576 broken targets.
• Rizzini Team: third with 568 broken targets.

The targets? Corsivia, of course.

THE COMPETITION CLAY TARGETS

Our Eco-Smart and Corsivia Innova offered their full potential to the shooters, who achieved great scores in the competition:

Two all-natural lines, which not only offer great potential for shooters during competitions, but also help range owners to fulfil their commitment to the environment.

Do you already know them?

Eco-Smart:

• Made with eco resins. PAH<10.
• Same advantages as traditional Corsivia.
• Superior visibility.
• Certified by Bureau Veritas ISO 14021.
• Suitable for all shooting disciplines, especially for Simulated games.

Corsivia Innova

• Made of completely inert material.
• Consistent and stable flight path.
• High visibility.
• Less than 1% of null targets.
• Certified by Bureau Veritas ISO 14021.
• Suitable for all types of shooting sports.

This is how they broke during the competition, thanks to their great breakability.

THE CORSIVIA TEAM AT YOUR SERVICE

There were Enrique, CEO of Corsivia and passionate about helping customers to develope their shooting range successfully, and Sonia, the head of the export department and your contact for any issue related to your orders. She is the one who makes sure that everything always goes smoothly so that you only have to worry about managing your shooting range.

Were you at the competition and were you able to experience the full potential of our Eco-Smart and Corsivia Innova targets? Have you used them before?

We’d love to hear from you!

La entrada ECO-SMART AND CORSIVIA INNOVA, OFFICIAL TARGETS OF THE 2023 EDITION OF TIRADA DEL PILAR se publicó primero en Corsivia.

When it comes to clay pigeon shooting, your safety must be a priority. That’s why investing in a high-quality clay pigeon shooting helmet is essential. Not only does it provide the best protection for your head, but it also ensures optimal comfort during long training sessions or competitions.

So whether you’re a professional shooter or a passionate enthusiast, don’t compromise on safety. Get the best protection with a shooting helmet and enjoy a worry-free shooting experience.

WHY YOU SHOULD USE SHOOTING HELMETS FOR HEARING PROTECTION

Hunters and shooters are up to 4 times more likely to suffer from deafness!

The sound of a shotgun blast can cause hearing damage if you don’t protect yourself properly, especially if you play the sport on a regular basis. What’s more, shooting without protection can cause permanent damage to the inner ear.

Therefore, although there are people who practice this discipline without any kind of protection, the use of earplugs or shooting helmets is highly recommended, especially if you practice shooting indoors, since in closed spaces the echo and reverberation are greater.

In addition, by using helmets we can extend our shooting practice, as we do not have any problems or hearing fatigue.

Yes, this is so.

In fact, if you are a shooter or hunter, you probably know a fellow shooter or hunter with clear signs of early deafness, as this accessory was not very common in the past.

There are now a multitude of models to help you solve this problem, and it is a very small investment for all the benefits it brings in preventing hearing problems.

However, it is important to have a suitable shooting helmet. Clay target shooting helmets allow you to protect your ears effectively so that you can train and practice your favourite sport in total comfort and without risk.

BUT WHAT IS A SHOOTING HELMET?

A shooting helmet is a must-have accessory, providing a vital layer of protection and comfort for anyone involved in shooting sports or activities.

Constructed from durable materials such as plastic or fiberglass, it offers impact resistance and cushioning to reduce the risk of head injury.

In addition, it is equipped with advanced sound reduction technology, effectively reducing gunshot noise and other loud noises.

It usually has adjustable straps and padding, which can be adjusted by the handles for a secure and comfortable hold.

WHEN IT IS ADVISABLE TO WEAR SHOOTING HELMETS

It is advisable to wear shooting helmets whenever noise exceeds 80 decibels, and we are exposed to it continuously, e.g. on a shooting range.

The ear suffers irreparably with every exposure to impulsive noise (abrupt sounds of high intensity and short duration, such as gunshots). This sound should never exceed 140 dB for adults and 120 dB for children.

Shooting a shotgun produces a noise of about 150 decibels, which can vary depending on the type of ammunition and the weapon used. This fact helps you to realize how necessary shooting helmets are, as they are almost twice the decibel limit above which you need protection.

But the most important thing to consider, of course, is the noise attenuation rating (SNR), or the amount of noise your headphones can dampen that will help keep it out of your ears.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A SHOOTING HELMET

When purchasing a shooting helmet, it is important that you consider several factors to ensure the best possible protection.

• Look for helmets that meet safety standards and regulations.
• Pay attention to the noise reduction capabilities of the helmet, as well as the comfort and adjustability features.
• Consider the weight and design to ensure that the helmet does not cause discomfort or hinder movement during shooting.
• If you can, invest in a helmet with integrated communication systems or visors for added comfort.

Also, if you are looking for additional protection, you should consider investing in an electronic shooting helmet.

This is an excellent choice, as these headsets not only offer sound reduction technology, but also amplify low-level sounds, such as conversations or range commands. In addition, they come with a variety of additional features, such as integrated communication systems and visors.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING HELMETS

As mentioned above, not all helmets are suitable for use in hunting or shooting.

It is important that you choose a model designed and manufactured for this purpose, as it has some special features that are essential for proper protection:

• They are made to dampen high-impact noises, such as gunshots.
• They are made of resistant materials to guarantee their proper functioning in adverse conditions.
• They are adjustable for a comfortable, ear-covering position.
• They are comfortable as the earmuffs are lined with soft-touch materials on the outside to ensure maximum comfort when shooting or hunting.
• Low weight, which helps a lot during long training and competition days.
• Easily transportable. Some models can even be folded for easy transport.
• Breathable. It sounds silly, but if it’s a hot day, having your ears covered can be torture, especially if sweat wets the ear cushions, and they don’t dry out.
• Electronic models not only dampen noise, but are able to amplify weaker ambient sounds.
• The configuration of electronic models is really simple and quick. They usually consist of three buttons: power on/off, volume up, volume down.
• They are polivalent: shooting helmets are suitable for hunting, sport shooting and clay pigeon shooting.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN BENEFITS OF A CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING HELMET

Wearing a shooting helmet has multiple benefits. It is also essential if you want to enjoy a safe and enjoyable shooting session.

• The shooting helmet protects your head and ears from possible injuries caused by recoil or flying fragments, ensuring your safety during shooting activities. In addition, the shooting helmets economize on noise levels, preserving your hearing from the loud bangs produced by firearms. With their sophisticated noise reduction technology, these helmets allow you to focus solely on your shooting technique without interruption.
• It has adjustable straps and padding. This ensures a secure and firm fit, allowing you to wear the helmet for extended periods of time without discomfort.
• It enhances your ability to improve your shooting accuracy, as they are often equipped with integrated shields or lenses that provide a clear, unobstructed view. This allows you to have a more accurate view of your target, leading to better aim and accuracy.
• A shooting helmet with integrated scopes protects your eyes from fragments and reflections, ensuring clear visibility even in difficult lighting conditions. By providing advanced vision and eye protection, shooting helmets contribute to improved performance and overall success in shooting activities.
• It offers the advantage of flexibility. Many shooting helmets come with interchangeable features that allow you to customize the fit and comfort to your particular needs. This adaptability ensures that the helmet can be worn comfortably by people of different head sizes and shapes.
• It is compatible with other shooting accessories such as ear muffs or communication systems, allowing you to further enhance your shooting experience. Whether you’re involved in shooting activities or participating in shooting competitions, a shooting helmet provides the versatility and adaptability needed for optimal performance.

TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION FOR CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING

Although we have only talked about shooting helmets so far, there is also the option of wearing earplugs to protect your ears while clay pigeon shooting.

The plugs for clay pigeon shooting offer you lightweight and inexpensive protection. The ear plugs are inserted into the ear hole to reduce the power with which the sound caused by the detonation reaches our ear canal.

There are different formats of closures depending on the material of manufacture and whether they are disposable or reusable.

One of the most economical models are the Ultrafit Reusable Earplugs, which offer an ergonomic fit inside the ear thanks to their three-ring design. The box contains 50 pairs.

Another more professional option is the Noton Plus plugs which protect against high frequencies and are made of silicone, making them easy to wash and reuse. One of the benefits of using them is that they protect against noise, but allow you to listen to conversations, alarms, mobile phone calls…

As for helmets, they are undoubtedly the option we recommend the most due to the high protection they offer.

You can find different types on the market:

• A popular option is the hearing protection helmet, which offers sound reduction and ear protection. These helmets are adjustable and comfortable, ensuring a perfect fit for prolonged shooting sessions.
• Another type is the full-face shooting helmet, which provides full head and face protection. These are often used in high-intensity activities and come with features such as impact-resistant visors for added safety.
• If you’re looking for a lightweight and compact solution, there are cap or hat style helmets that provide minimalist protection without compromising safety.  

BEST HELMETS FOR CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING

As we’ve been telling you throughout this article, when buying a shooting helmet, always consider the level of protection it offers, the comfort features and any additional accessories that can enhance your shooting experience. By choosing the right shooting helmet, you can ensure your personal safety and well-being, while maximizing your shooting pleasure.

That said, here is a link where you can find updated information on the 5 best helmets for shooting sports.

Also, if you are someone who loves to personalize any product to make it more your own, you can get one to your liking at this link.

Do you already use hearing protection helmets in your training or competitions? Tell us about your experience.

La entrada SHOOTING HELMETS: THE BEST PROTECTION AND COMFORT FOR YOUR CLAY TARGET SHOOTING PRACTICE se publicó primero en Corsivia.

The guilty?

Jorge Darío, shooting range manager since 2021, expert in shooting range management and owner of the La Isla shooting range.

We were honoured that our Green Dream ecological clay target was chosen to ensure a sustainable competition at all levels.

Now we want him to tell us more about the remodelling of the shooting range, the sustainability, and the preparation of the championship, as we asked him to do in his previous interview.

EL FRESNILLO SHOOTING RANGE: AN EMBLEMATIC PLACE FOR SPORTS SHOOTING IN ÁVILA

Located in the NATURAVILA sports centre and only 3 kilometres from the walled city of Ávila, el Fresnillo shooting range was created in 1977 to provide shooting services in the province of Ávila and in the region of Castilla y León, a pioneer in the practice of hunting and sport shooting.

In the year 2000 it hosted the European Universal Trench Championships, but shortly afterwards it was the victim of a fire and mismanagement that led to the closure of its facilities.

Jorge Darío decided to give it a second life from 2021. He founded the Ávila Trap shooting club, and together they started the rehabilitation of the shooting range.

In July 2021, thanks to a good planning, machinery arrangement and computerization of the 4 shooting ranges that the field consisted of at that time, it hosted its first competition.

At the end of 2022, Jorge received the great news that he had been chosen to host the 2023 Universal Trench Championships and, from then on, all the preparations began.

Have you incorporated any unique or innovative features at El Fresnillo that make it different from other clay pigeon shooting ranges?

The fifth shooting range and the artificial turf on all the shooting ranges, as well as the closing of some of the ranges so that the athlete can be more comfortable, are the improvements that have been incorporated. They are not innovative and do not make it different from other courses, but they do place it among the 5 best courses in Spain.

I can also tell you that in 2024 it is expected to become a biodegradable and non-polluting field with a unique recycling system in Spain.

How did you come to consider the adventure of setting up a FU world championship? What was your motivation, and how did you get so far in such a short time?

Once the shooting range was open, I received the proposal to hold the 2023 World Championships of Universal Trench. Incredible to go from being closed to hosting this great international competition! I couldn’t be happier to be rewarded with this great competition and that all athletes can enjoy these facilities.

What have been the specific challenges you have faced in preparing for this type of event?

I have had great challenges throughout its development. Since I started the first day until today I have had many and diverse obstacles. But with the help of the people of the city of Ávila and the Diputación de Ávila, we have been able to achieve this project and bring the course internationally to the desired level.

COMPETITION EQUIPMENT

Let’s talk a bit about shooting range equipment… We know that for the FU championship you had the best facilities: Mattarelli machines and Green Dream shooting clay targets from Corsivia. A guarantee of success?

Yes, that’s right. We have had the best on the market to realize this World Championship:

• Matarelli machines, together with the technical service of the company Tiro-Sport.
• The Green Dream clay target by Corsivia.
• My experience in the world of high competition.
• To have a large shooting range.
• The help, advice, and professionalism of the company Solo Tiro and the ADTP.

All this is what has helped us to achieve the great Championship that we have been able to experience last August. And, what makes us most proud of all, is to have achieved the enjoyment of all the sportsmen and women who participated in such an important competition.

COMMERCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP

We know that for this championship you have had the commercial support of renowned brands, both in the world of shooting and in other sectors. This support has made the world championship stand out from other championships. What can you tell us about this?

The truth is that it has been a different World Championship in which many prestigious brands in the shooting world have been present. In addition, we have had great novelties for the companions that, without a doubt, have given a magical touch to this competition.

We wanted to achieve a totally sustainable international event and, together with Coca-Cola, CORSIVIA with its 100% ecological clay target, companies from the shooting range and companies from the sector, we have achieved it, and we have made this championship a pioneer in caring for the natural environment. A complete success!

PREPARATIONS FOR THE 41ST INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSAL TRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP IN EL FRESNILLO

Tell us more about the championship: number of shooters, services provided, etc.

The number of people expected to attend the competition was expected to be around these figures.

• Number of athletes: 450.
• Number of accompanying persons: 600.
• Number of visitors to watch the competition: 300
• Number of employees and staff of companies in the competition, as well as staff at the product exhibition: 80.

And we have far exceeded that!

In terms of extra services, a competition and security plan was designed to ensure the good service of the facilities, which has included such things as these:

• Three food and beverage outlets scattered around the range.
• New terrace areas and rest areas provided by Coca-Cola as main partners of the event.
• New toilet and sanitary areas, as well as the continuous cleaning of the pitch.
• Civil Protection and Red Cross assistance to provide better security coverage for the event.

Anything else you would like to add?

I would like to add that I think we have lived up to this great championship. Everything went as expected to ensure that the athletes could enjoy this great competition. It only remains for me to thank the commercial brands in the sector such as Corsivia, Mundiarmas, Solo Tiro, Tiro Sport and the ADTP for their unconditional support and trust in me to be able to carry out this championship.

A pleasure to have been part of this great event! Thanks to you, Jorge.

If you want to know a little more about the Universal Trench, we invite you to read our blog article “Universal Trench, the modality for the most daring in clay pigeon shooting“.

La entrada EL FRESNILLO SHOOTING RANGE: THE PERFECT SETTING FOR A HIGH-LEVEL COMPETITION se publicó primero en Corsivia.

Its owner, Jorge Darío, has granted us an interview in which, apart from giving us some information about the championship, he explains his career in the world of clay target shooting, with two shooting ranges behind him.

We have previously talked to you on our blog about the steps and regulations for the construction of shooting ranges of Skeet and Trap, but today we bring you a real testimony from an expert in the management of shooting ranges.

Do you want to hear first-hand about their experience?

Read the full interview!

GETTING TO KNOW JORGE: HIS BEGINNINGS IN CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING

Tell us a little about yourself, how long have you been involved in clay pigeon shooting, and how did you get started in the sport?

My parents had a hardware and material store and, from a very young age, I had to go with my father to the villages to take the clay targets and cartridges for the typical shootings during the summer months.

I remember unloading by hand the lorries of targets, which my father brought from the Corsivia factory. Boxes of black clay targets, in big brown boxes, which we stored so that we could take them to the villages when the competitions arrived.

I think that was my first contact with clay pigeon shooting.

In addition, my father would shoot clay target shooting on these shoots and I, along with the other children who accompanied their parents, would pick up the targets when the shoot was over. Occasionally, my father would let me shoot a shot, and that’s when I got, as we say, the good old clay pigeon shooting virus in my body.

EXPERT IN SHOOTING RANGE MANAGEMENT

Why did you decide to set up your own shooting range? Tell us how you decided to push for the creation of the La Isla Shooting Range

The years went by, and I only hunted, but one day, about 10 years ago, looking at one of my father’s old storehouses, where we used to store the clay targets when I was a child, I found a series of boxes of those black targets piled up, and I thought it would be good to make a shooting range in the area.

First, I had the idea of organizing a multi-adventure in which one of the activities would be clay pigeon shooting.

And so it was!

I started up a multi-adventure company where I ran camps for children, horse riding, canoeing, hiking trails, etc. And, while I was setting up the company, one day, in April 2013, I decided to start work on the shooting range.

What were the steps you had to take in order to set it up?

Well, the steps, very hard!

Starting with convincing my parents and brother to start with the shooting range, which they were opposed to…

But I don’t know if it’s a defect or a virtue that, if I put my mind to something, in the end I have to do it, whatever it costs me, and that’s how it was.

I woke up one day at 7 o’clock in the morning and said: TODAY I START THE SHOOTING RANGE! And I set myself to the task. That same day, I began to fence a small farm owned by my parents, and we started the work without their permission. I had to invent a thousand reasons to start the works and, at the end, they gave up and left me as impossible. That’s how we started with La Isla Shooting Range (name I decided that same night because of a piece of land we have nearby that is called like that).

Steps I had to take to build the shooting range

I started by fencing the field with 2-metre mesh. Once I had fenced it in, which cost me sweat and tears, plus a lot of labour and the corresponding applications for permits from the local council, the environment, etc., I built and fitted the entrance gate to the shooting range.

Then I started to move the papers and permits with the Guardia Civil (which arrived a year and a half after the works started).

What difficulties did you encounter?

Well, the difficulties were many and very great.

• Starting with the secretary of the town hall who did not send the documentation to the town hall, which delayed all the permits.
• Then with the environment, which made it very difficult for me to start fencing the farm.
• With Hidrográfica del Tajo, which said that this land was affected by irrigation and that it had to obtain many water and septic tank permits, as well as other permits.
• And, of course, with the Guardia Civil, who, the first time they answered me to inform me about the documentation I had to prepare, I went white and despairing when I saw the amount of papers and plans I had to present.

That was a huge blow that left me with no strength to continue, but, as I said before, when I get something in my head I don’t stop until I have it. So I got down to work and started to prepare that infinite number of papers.

What aspects do you consider most important when designing a clay pigeon shooting range to ensure an optimal experience for participants in any type of competition?

• Firstly, the situation of the courts in relation to the sun. This factor is fundamental for the competitions to be able to keep to their schedules and to be able to take place normally.
• Secondly, the design of the pits. The position and height of the machines in relation to the exit of the targets is very important. So is choosing a great machine like Matarelli and its technical service, Tiro Sport, to achieve optimum performance for this sport.
• Thirdly, the functioning of the microphones and the machines. We must pamper them every day so that, when the athlete, in any of the fields, says AH, the target comes out at the voice without any kind of delay. In this way, the shooter, together with his shooting technique, will enjoy the competitions, as he will be able to obtain good results.
• Fourthly, cleanliness. Of course, it is also very important to clean the shooting ranges, as well as to keep the exit of the targets clean and green so that the vision is correct.
• Fifth and last, the organization of the competition. The treatment of the clients, making them feel at ease, is the magic touch that a great shooting range needs, which must be taken care of day by day.

And speaking of the location of the ranges in relation to the sun, what do you think are the key factors to consider when selecting the location of a clay pigeon shooting range?

The geographical location of any shooting range is critical and will always depend on the size of the facility you want to achieve.

If your project is small, for example, with only one shooting range, any town could be a good place to locate it, but, if your project is for a 4 or 5 range with the idea of making big competitions, the geographic situation at national level is very important.

It is also important to be close to a large city in order to be able to offer accommodation, restaurants, etc. and, of course, to be well-connected by highways and roads so that the shooter can have good access to the countryside.

Once the geographical location has been chosen, it is necessary to choose the location of the property. It is essential that the shooting ranges face north so that the sun is not a problem. So is the month in which the work is started, and the ranges are located. A crucial task when building a shooting range is to study the sun in the competition months, as the sun is different in winter than in summer.

Last but not least, it should also be carefully studied whether the land is affected by any environmental or archaeological issues, as well as by birds, trees or power lines, which may become a factor to be taken into account for the definitive non-authorisation of the camp.

And, having already managed a shooting range under your belt, why did you decide to embark on the creation of your second shooting range, El Fresnillo?

Well, it’s a long story, although, in short, I went to see it with some friends, and I was very sad to see those facilities closed. When you see something you like, and you see it closed and in such a bad condition, I felt sorry for it and decided to recycle it and give it a second life.

And what a second life with the celebration of the 41st World Cup of Universal Trench!

We can only wish you the best of luck for this weekend and a lot of success with our Green Dream ecological clay target.

We would love to hear from you again to tell us how the championship has gone and explain a bit more about its organization.

We are waiting for you!

La entrada INTERVIEW WITH JORGE DARÍO, OWNER OF EL FRESNILLO SHOOTING RANGE, VENUE OF THE 41ST WORLD CUP OF UNIVERSAL TRENCH, IN ÁVILA se publicó primero en Corsivia.

La entrada INTERVIEW WITH BRUNO CLAVEAU DISTRIBUTION se publicó primero en Corsivia.

The psychological preparation of the shooter involves enhancing his positive attitude, a mental training necessary to achieve any purpose, personal or professional.

But what is attitude?

We are all born with certain aptitudes or skills that, through practice and training, we will improve throughout our lives.

However, when it comes to putting them into practice, not all of us do it with the same attitude.

HOW APTITUDE AND ATTITUDE AFFECT CLAY TARGET SHOOTING

Any athlete, not only in clay target shooting, must keep a balance between aptitude and attitude when training or competing. An imbalance between the two is very likely to end in failure and, therefore, demotivation.

A shooter who has not yet been able to develop good skills or abilities, but who, on the contrary, gives his all with a positive attitude in his training and competitions, will always manage to excel.

A shooter with very good skills or abilities, but who shows a lousy attitude, is doomed to not progress.

Attitude, like aptitude, can and should be trained. But how to do it?

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR ATTITUDE DURING THE CLAY TARGET SHOOTING SEASON

Are you one of those who, when you get to a competition, let stress or nervousness do their thing and throw away everything you have been achieving during all your training sessions?

Yes, that is one of the main causes that can lead to a 5-10% decrease in your scores in a clay target shooting competition.

If you learn to master the techniques of self-control and know the factors that can influence your mental state, you will be able to increase your effectiveness in any clay target shooting competition when that nervousness or anxiety appears.

If you are able to achieve a certain score in training, don’t you think you should achieve at least the same in a competition?

The main reason for not doing so is nothing more than a lack of stress mastery.

Preparing yourself psychologically to face it will help you to know how to analyze stressful situations during the competition.

Aspects that can help you achieve this may be:

• Develop a shooting plan and follow it.
• Create the habit of observing your breathing, posture and shooting position.
• Aim with proper focus without worrying about impact.
• Relax the muscles of the forehead, jaws, neck and abdomen.
• Relax your eyesight.

What we must never do is let the results of the first few shots, whether negative or positive, affect our attitude during the rest of the competition.

A shooter with a negative attitude tends to have low self-confidence, and the most he aspires to do is not to miss the shot. This attitude only serves to accentuate even more, if possible, the fear of failure.

However, being motivated to succeed rather than to avoid failure will make you set much higher goals and enjoy the competition.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ONLY FOCUS ON “NOT MISSING” THE SHOT

A double-edged sword that is likely to have very negative consequences on the shooter’s attitude and concentration.

But what are the main reasons that provoke such thinking?

• Analyze the result so far and think that it is no longer winnable.
• Try to secure the last shots without making mistakes, even if the results so far are very good.
• The fear of not achieving the result you are looking for.

As long as you just concentrate on not missing the shot, the best that can happen in any case is that you end up making it.

If your mind is focused on “you don’t have to make an eight” on the next shot, what do you think will end up happening?

Indeed!

In addition, concentrating too much on “not missing” will generate an excess of muscular tension that will only make the shooter feel cramped and stiff, a situation that will probably not allow him/her to rest the finger on the trigger with decision.

Most likely, the same thing will happen when the last shots of the competition are fired. Excessive pressure to win the championship when the results have been good up to that point can cause you to lose a competition.

HOW TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AT ALL TIMES DURING A CLAY TARGET SHOOTING COMPETITION

Yes, you may be thinking that we are talking about an impossible mission because you have already suffered it on some occasion and, no matter how hard you have tried, you have not succeeded.

Here are some suggestions that can help you, and a lot, in those moments:

• Always focus on what you should do and not on what you want to avoid. Remember, a negative attitude is always accompanied by bad results. Concentrate and follow a good routine before the shot.
• During the competition, focus on doing things correctly and not on the result you want to achieve. Doing so will make it much more likely that you will get a good result.
• Don’t get ahead of yourself or focus on what will happen if… “I make an eight”, “what will others think if I lose”, “I’ll calculate the result of my next shots”…. This does not help you to concentrate, but also makes you more nervous than usual.
• Focus on the present, on the shot you are taking at that moment, and eliminate everything else from your mind.
• Set yourself a good mental routine before each shot and follow it to the letter. A mental routine, at that moment, is much more decisive than a physical routine.
• When your nerves get the best of you, try to control them with good breathing. That will help you to be more aware of the shot than of those nerves.  
• Don’t change your strategy during the competition. Keep thinking about getting good shots and forget about the “fear of failure”. Not doing so may cause you to lose the fluency you had up to that point and start making mistakes you didn’t make before.

If you are interested in going deeper into the subject, we recommend the book “Sports psychology and clay target shooting: keys to success“, written by Juan Montero Linares, psychologist and therapist, which we are sure can help you a lot to improve your positive attitude in the shooting range.

And, while you decide whether to buy it or not, what do you think if you have a look at this other article of our blog where we talk about all the modalities of clay target shooting?

Tell us, how do you manage your attitude on the shooting range? We read you!

La entrada HOW TO HAVE A PERFECT PSYCHOLOGY TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN CLAY TARGET SHOOTING se publicó primero en Corsivia.

Today we are going to talk about the keys you need to know to build an Olympic Trap shooting range, but first we are going to review these two modalities.

Here we go!

UNIVERSAL TRENCH: THE MODALITY FOR THE MORE DARING

The Universal Trench is considered one of the disciplines in which the shooter must always be alert to be able to act quickly, because the targets are launched randomly from the 5 trap machines.

It is a modality in which it is necessary for the shooter to have a very good composure and technique, which makes it one of the favourites of the most experienced shooters.

In the pit, installed in front of the shooting stations, there are 5 machines, each of which bases the launching of the targets, controlled by a distributor, on one of the 10 official schemes established by the FITASC.

Although the trajectories of the targets vary from shooter to shooter, all shooters fire the same number of targets at the end of each round.

The targets used in this modality are 11 centimetres in diameter. Shotguns must be of 12 gauge and cartridges of up to 28 grams of lead.

In a Universal Trench championship, 8 heats are shot with a total of 200 targets, that is, 25 targets for each heat.

OLYMPIC TRAP

In this modality, regulated by the ISSF, and considered as the most representative Olympic discipline, a total of 15 trap machines are used, 3 for each of the 5 shooting positions.

From each position, 5 trajectories are shot in each of the 5 rounds, with a total of 125 targets for the men’s category, while in the women’s category a total of 75 targets are shot in 3 series of 25 each.

For this discipline, 11-cm clay targets are also used. Their output speed is around 120 km/hour, and they are configured to travel up to 80 meters at different heights.

The shooter is aware of the point of origin of the target, but does not know the angle of exit. Therefore, the shooter’s reflexes, concentration and shooting speed will be decisive to achieve the best results.

A 12 gauge shotgun and cartridges of 24 grams of lead are used for the practice of the Olympic Trap.

CHARACTERISTICS AND SAFETY MEASURES AT SHOOTING RANGES

We already told you about it in our article “Steps and regulations to follow to build a shooting range“.

But it is not out of place to make a small reminder of some of them, which, In Spain, you will find in the annex of the Weapons Regulation in its article 150.

These measures focus on four essential points to be taken into account:

• Safety zone: comprised within a circular sector of 45 degrees on both sides of the shooter and 200 meters radius.
• Protection of the trap machines, which must be protected inside a subway construction with a concrete roof.
• Spectator protection: The area provided for this purpose must be located behind the shooters’ backs, and access to the shooting range must be from the rear or perpendicular to the firing line.
• Enclosure and signage: Ideally, the field should be fenced around its entire perimeter.

Please, refer to the annex mentioned above for more information.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUILDING A TRAP SHOOTING RANGE

In this type of field (discipline of which we have already talked about in this article of our blog), a shooting line will be placed with a determined unit of posts, parallel to a pit, placed at a distance, according to regulations, where the trap machines will be located.

The housing of trap machines should be constructed so that the highest surface of the roof is at the same level as the surface of the firing positions. The interior dimensions of the pit should be approximately 20 m from end to end; 2 m from the front to the rear and 2 to 2.10 m from the floor to the underside of the roof. These dimensions should allow freedom of movement for the work of the personnel and sufficient space to store the plates.

The trap machines, as well as the operators, must be protected inside a subway construction with a concrete roof, since they will always be within the line of fire.

HOW TO ARRANGE THE TRAP MACHINES IN THE PIT

Each pit must have 15 machines fixed to the floor or the front wall of the pit and must be divided into 5 groups of three. The centre of each group must be indicated only by a mark painted on the top of the roof, which must be positioned to indicate the point on the central machine of each group from which the plate will come out when the zero degree throw is selected.

The distance between machines, within each group, must be equal and from 1.00 m to 1.10 m. The distance between the central machines of the groups should be from 3 m to 3.30 m. For existing courts, it can be from 3.00 to 6.00 m.

In case machines are used where the shuttle rotates clockwise, the distance between the machine on the left (as seen from behind) and the one in the centre of each group can be reduced to less than 1.00 m to 1.10 m.

Machines should be installed in the pit so that the stud on which the launcher rotates is 0.50 m (+ 0.10 m) below the top of the pit roof and 0.50 m back (+ 0.10 m) from the front edge of the roof, when the machine is set at 2 m. height.

HOW THE FIVE FIRING POSITIONS SHOULD BE ARRANGED

The five shooting stands must be arranged in a straight line, at a distance of 15 m backwards from the front edge of the pit. Each shooting stand must be indicated by a square, 1 m by 1 m, clearly delimited, and must be centred on a line perpendicular to the shooting stand line, which must extend towards the painted mark indicating the zero degree launch point on the central machine of each group of three.

A sixth position should be marked, about two meters back and slightly to the left of position 1, where athlete number 6 should be placed.

All six stands must be provided with a table or bench where athletes can place their surplus cartridges and other accessories. The stands should be firm and level in all directions. Each stand should have a piece of wood or piece of carpet or rubber about six inches square or round, on which the sportsman can rest his gun.

WHAT ARE THE BEST CLAY TARGETS FOR TRAP PRACTICE?

Without a doubt, we cannot recommend any other clay targets than our beloved Olympic and Green Dream.

For the practice of Universal Trench, nothing better than our Olympic clay target. A target widely used for this discipline in France and that offers multiple advantages:

• It is manufactured with sufficient consistency to withstand the output of the shot-blasting machine and break with the minimum impact of the pellets.
• It offers a consistent and stable flight path.
• It offers less than 1% of null birds.
• And it features high visibility.

For Olympic Trap practice, the Green Dream is the best clay target for reasons such as these:

• Manufactured with natural resins. PAH = 0.
• Same advantages as our traditional clay target.
• Superior visibility.
• Excellent breakage, causing huge smoke clouds.
• Certified by Bureau Veritas ISO 14021.

Both with permanent stock in our facilities and immediate delivery to any country in the world.

Now you have all the information you need to build your own Trap shooting range or to check that everything is correct in your working shooting range.

Anyway, if you need us to give you a hand, remember that we put at your disposal our Coworking Service for anything you may need.

La entrada TRAP: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO BUILD A TRAP SHOOTING RANGE se publicó primero en Corsivia.