On a Sporting Clays course, shooters are presented with a wide variety of targets that simulate the flight path of gamebirds, such as flushing, crossing, incoming and other angling shots.

Courses are laid out in natural surroundings and typically include five or 10 shooting "stations" with shooters moving from one station to the next to complete the course. Each "station" presents shooters with a different type of shot.

Unlike trap and skeet, where a mounted gun is permitted, Sporting Clays courses demand that the shooter start out with a "low gun" (butt of gun below the shoulder) until the target comes into view. When shooting in squads, shooters typically rotate turns from "station" to "station". At most "stations", shooters call for each target(s) which may be released with up to a 3-second delay.

When shooting on the range, you usually will pay for either 50 or 100 targets.

If you selected the 50 target round, then at the first station of ten you go to you will shoot 4 shots or two pairs. At the next station you will have six shots or three pairs. It will keep rotating in that order going around the course.

If you have the 100 targets, you will shoot 10 shots or 5 pairs at each station. For every shot you have there is a bird (clay target) that you shoot at. Your trapper will pull it (ie, launch it into the air) for you.

For every bird you break, your scorer will mark an X in the blank provided; if you miss, your scorer will mark an 0.

At the end of each column there is a place to keep the number of birds you have broken. After you complete the whole course your scorer will give you your sheet with your entire score.

Firearms:

Sporting clays is simple you need a shotgun and ammo.  Your shotgun should be able to fire two shots without reloading. An over/under barrel shotgun is a good choice as it gives the option of a different choke for each shot. Ammo should be 2-3/4" (if 12 ga) target loads. The size of shot varies from #9 for close-in shots to 7-1/2 for longer range targets, with #8 as a good all around load. Many shooters also use .410, 28, 20, or 16 gauge as well.

You also should use a shooters vest and bag to carry your ammo and have eye and ear protection!