WHAT IS ENGLISH SPORTING?
In its early form, English Sporting usually presented the shooter with two different targets. The targets used were normally quartering targets, crossers, driven, overhead, rabbits and springing teal.. Today, As the most popular form of clay shooting, English Sporting provides a shooting environment that offers different layouts and a constant challenge.
The targets can be launched as singles or pairs. The pair would consist either of one target, then the second being launched the instant a shot is fired or both targets fired at the same time.

HOW IS ENGLISH SPORTING SHOT?
An average competition may comprise of around five stands used to shoot around 30 targets. Differing variations allow more targets and stands to be used and in a large competition there may be as many as 12 different stands and 100 targets.
There is no set way of selecting stands and shooters can select in a random order if they wish. However squadding is sometimes popular with fixed shooting times, a pre-determined order relates to what order stands should be used, this is used mainly when shooting in large competitions. The shooter has an option to call for the target with the gun in or out of their shoulder.

HOW IS ENGLISH SPORTING SCORED?
It is simply a matter of how many targets have been broken and each shooter has the responsibility of carrying their own scorecard. This card is presented to the referee before the shooter takes to a stand.

WHAT IS THE BEST GUN TO USE FOR ENGLISH SPORTING?
A suitable sporter would normally consist of a 28" or 30" barrel with a multichoke. However a 32" tube can be more helpful with the more distant clays as it steadies the gun more. A fixed choke gun would normally be choked a quarter or a half. It should be noted that a sport gun has to be very adaptable with it with it maneuverability, improving the handling characteristics to help with the variety of different targets encountered.

WHAT IS THE BEST CARTRIDGE TO USE?
It would be in the shooters best interests to carry a selection of size 7.5 to 8 for mid-long distant targets and size 9 skeet's cartridges for the close targets. Plastic wads could be beneficial if rules permit. The heaviest load is 28gr.

A SHOOTING TIP FOR ENGLISH SPORTING
While queuing at a stand make sure to watch other competitors. Study the flight of the targets and order of simultaneous pairs to make a mental image for when you take the stand. This should help you with your timing, although don't completely rely on this picture as the clays may still surprise you.

A SAFETY TIP FOR ENGLISH SPORTING
Cages are in place to limit your angle of fire, leaning out to pick up targets early isn't recommended.

A BEGINNERS AVERAGE RATING
A good beginners score would be around 60%. However, if you are shooting easy club targets you should be aiming higher.

AN EXPERTS AVERAGE RATING
85% and above would see yourself enter the heights associated with the most talented shooters

WHAT IS DOWN THE LINE
Down the line is one of the oldest forms of clay shooting. It is a great discipline for beginners as it gives you many targets to break and also teaches the importance of concentration on the shooting circuit. A round usually consists of 25 targets, which are fired away from the shooter. The shooter stands 16 yards behind the firing house, where they will fire at the rising targets. There are 5 firing positions and even though the targets rise they do so at a constant angle. However, the targets are fired randomly across the horizontal plane, the maximum arc is around 44 degrees.

HOW IS DOWN THE LINE SHOT?
Each competitor must shoot from each firing point, and a total of 5 clays will be launched at each of these points. The order of the firing points is so that when the competitor has shot, they would move to the next position on their right. If a shooter is on position 5 they will go to 1. The shooter usually calls for each target with the gun already in their shoulder, and has two shots to break the target.

HOW IS DOWN THE LINE SCORED?
Three points are awarded for breaking a target on the first barrel, whilst only two points are awarded for breaking the target with the second barrel shot. Big competitions can consist of 4 rounds making up 100 targets, a perfect score would see 300 points from 100 targets. It is possible to win a competition by breaking fewer clays than other competitors, two first barrel kills is the equivalent of three second barrel kills.

WHAT IS THE BEST GUN FOR DOWN THE LINE?
A trap gun is the most suitable for such an event no matter what level you are shooting at. A common set-up would be a ¾ or full choke that is set to shoot slightly higher than centre. This will aid the shooter to put the target inside the pattern, if the clay is positioned slightly above the foresight bead. If the only gun available is a sport, an alternative set-up can be made with a multichoke using the tightest tubes.

WHAT IS THE BEST CARTRIDGE FOR DOWN THE LINE?
A recommended load of 28gr. would normally consist of size 7 ½ shot using a plastic wad. However an 8 in the first barrel is also a possibility, it is just down it personal preference. A round will see a competitor shooting stints of length at a quick speed. A load with average recoil will be suitable, and a soft recoil cartridge in the second barrel will allow a quick second shot. High performance 24gr. cartridges have a tighter pattern than the 28gr. and these are intended for international trap.

A SHOOTING TIP FOR DOWN THE LINE
To be a team member in this discipline, concentration is the key to success. Keeping a good rhythm and making good use of time is important as mistakes can also effect the performance of other team members.

A SAFETY TIP FOR DOWN THE LINE
Always have an unloaded gun when walking between firing positions.

A BEGINNERS AVERAGE RATING
If a beginner can consistently score at 75% there will be enough evidence to suggest they could go on to improve and reach much higher scores.

AN EXPERTS AVERAGE RATING
Over 90% is reasonable but to compete with the best in the sport, a score above 95% is required