Unlike Skeet, the path of a Trap target is not known until it emerges from the house. The challenge is to interpret the path of the target, acquire the correct lead, and break the target.
The ATA (Amateur Trap Association), the largest ruling body for registered Trap shooting in the United States, holds its championships, the "Grand American" each year in August in Vandalia, OH. It is not uncommon for there to be more shooters at one year's Grand than runners in the Boston Marathon.
The ATA sponsors three different types of Trap shooting:
Singles
Singles is considered to be the easiest of the three disciplines. Shooters are grouped into squads which contain a maximum of five people. Each shooter stands at his own station and takes turn shooting a target. After 5 shots from one station, the shooters rotate and eventually shoot from each of the five stations. Five shots from five stations makes a round of twenty-five targets. This rotation gives participants a different view of the targets. Each position is a constant 16 yards from the trap house and they spaced three feet apart forming a small arc.
Doubles
Doubles was added to ATA tournament play in 1911. It is a modified version of Singles, but it is more difficult because shooters must break two targets thrown from the trap house simultaneously. The two targets leave the house 35 degrees apart. One 17.5 degrees to the right of center and the other the same distance from center to the left. Unlike Singles, the target path remains constant, but the challenge is if the shooter can hit both targets before they hit the ground.
Handicap
Handicap is considered the most prestigious event in trapshooting. As in other sports, handicapping strives to make the competition equal. The is accomplished by having the more skilled competitors stand further away from the trap house. Based on a shooter's past performances, a shooter is assigned a handicap distance which he/she must shoot. A competitor with a high handicap will shoot no closer than the 19 yard line, while the most skilled shooter is placed at the 27 yard line. It is extremely difficult to win an event from the 27 yard line. Only twice in the last ten years has a Grand American Handicap champion been a 27 yard shooter.