Shotguns are used in clay target shooting. The four main types are: Over/Under, Semi-auto, Side-by-side and Pump-action

Two shots are permitted at each target and points are scored when you break a target

The most common disciplines for clay target are: Trap, Skeet and Sporting

The machine that projects clay targets into the air is known as a ‘trap’

The terminology of the sport heralds back to its origins of live pigeon shooting. The target can be known as the ‘bird’ and a hit can be referred to as a ‘kill’

Targets are thrown either as singles or doubles from one or more traps situated some 15 m in front of the shooter and are generally going away from the firing point at varying speeds, angles and elevations

The formal name of clay target, or clay pigeon shooting was ‘Inanimate Bird Shooting’ as it replicated shooting flying birds

In the UK, live pigeon shooting competitions were held, up until they were made illegal in 1921

The targets are usually in the shape of an inverted saucer and usually fluorescent orange or black, so they can be seen clearly against the background

In Down-The-Line trap shooting, the shooter calls ‘Pull’ when they want the clay targets to be released