Moving from ATA Trap to the Bunker
By BJ McDaniel
Assistant Shotgun Coach
USA Shooting
Part three of three.
If you have been following along in the previous two articles you will now know how to join in a
squad and conduct yourself during a round of Olympic trap. You also learned how to get into the
correct stance and position relative to the target presentation. In this most important section we
will cover how to look for and move to the target including; where to place your eyes, what type
of focus helps us see the target better, when to know when you are ready to call for the target, and
how to swing through the target.
This shooter is holding the muzzle of the gun on the mark on the top of the trap house.
Where to Hold the Gun - the 15-machine bunker layout for Olympic Trap has five markings on
the front edge of the bunker roof. These markings coincide with the center of the three machines
in front of each station. The correct gun hold point at each station is for the shooter's gun to be
pointed at the mark - with the front edge of the barrel placed along the leading edge of the bunker
roof. All three machines are set so that their target's flight path cross at a point above the mark on
the bunker. Holding on the mark will allow the shooter to always see the targets above the gun as
they emerge from the trap house. A high gun hold position (as often seen in American trap) is not
recommended because the lower 1.5 -meter targets will often be hidden by the barrel. If the barrel
is too high, or the gun muzzle covers the target during the swing, the shooter will lose slight of
the target - increasing the likelihood of a lost target.
The white lines indicate the approximate crossing point for all three targets.
How moving targets are first seen - The visual system is the key to the physical action in
shooting moving targets. All movement begins with an input from our vision. The outcome of the
action relies greatly on our ability to interpret and respond to these inputs. When we talk about
how good our vision is, we usually speak of having 20/20 or 20/15 vision. While these numbers
are a good indication of whether or not we are required to wear corrective lenses, they are not the
total picture of the vision process as it applies to shooting. Vision in shooting is the process by
which we react to what we see. We actually see everything! The better shooters have the ability
to recognize what they see and take the necessary actions with the muscle system. To understand
how to look for targets you must remember, moving targets are first seen with the secondary
vision and then tracked with the primary vision. Think of secondary vision as peripheral vision or
soft focus and primary vision as a hard focus on the target. We need to get our eyes into the
correct position to take advantage of this ability.
Where to place your eyes –The way our eyes work make it easier to change focus from a distant
object to a close one. Changing from a near object to a far one is more difficult and takes longer.
This ability is inherent within us to protect against harmful objects that are coming at us.
However, in the game of trap the targets go away from us as they exit the bunker. The eyes/mind
realizes we are not in danger and will react differently. To overcome this we must control what
our eyes are doing as we are waiting our turn to shoot. Our vision should be in a ‘
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directed out in the distance (towards the horizon). Hard focusing on the bunker roof, the ground
at our feet, or any object (s) close to the shooter should be avoided.
Another common mistake is to look at the gun while it is being mounted. Shooters at some point
during the mount will look at the gun to see if their head and the beads on the rib are correctly
aligned. They will look at the barrel and then make small adjustment with their head to achieve
perfect alignment. If the target is then called for immediately, the eyes will not have had enough
time to move back out into the target zone to see the target correctly. To solve this we must also
control what our eyes are doing during the mount. When mounting the gun, care should be taken
not to look at the barrel, but instead the eyes should be kept looking out in the distance. It is
important that the gun should fit well enough so that it is not needed to consciously align the head
with the rib. After the gun is mounted, and just before calling for the target, the s
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should be placed on the ground in front of the bunker about 1.0 –1.5 feet above the front edge.
This is at or slightly above the target crossing point and in line with the mark on the roof. This
spot may differ for each shooter on each individual field due to lighting and background
conditions and may require some small adjustments until the shooter can see the targets clearly.
The shooter's vision should be placed 1.5 -2.5 feet above the front edge of the bunker.
When to call for the target –Once the gun is mounted and held on the mark on the bunker roof,
the eyes must have a chance to adjust into the correct position to look for the target. A common
error is to call for the target too quickly. The correct method is to look out over the gun to the
ground in front of the bunker, focusing (with primary vision) on some object at that spot. When
staring at this blade of grass, or other object, awareness must expanded until the shooter becomes
aware of the front edge of the bunker in his secondary (peripheral) vision. It may be necessary to
expand awareness all the way to the adjacent marks on either side of your station. The shooter is
not visually focused on anything in this area, but he will be aware of any movement in this zone.
This process may take 2 –3 seconds. Make sure you allow the time for this to happen. Once the
eyes change from the hard focus at the blade of grass to the softer focus that includes the bunker
roof, you are ready to call for the target.
Upon seeing the movement of the target the eyes should zoom-in on the leading edge of the target
with a hard focus. When the target is visually acquired in this manner it is seen quicker, it won't
feel that it has a jump on you as it comes out of the bunker, and it will allow for a smooth visual
movement to bring the target into focus. Another common mistake is to rush the barrel of the gun
to the target when the flash of the target is first seen. This usually happens because the eyes are
not initially set-up properly and the target is not seen well. Rushing the gun to the target before it
is in clear focus will result in a loss of control and decreased scores. Stay at home on the mark
until the eyes lock onto the target, and then move the gun. The target movement should be
picked-up with secondary vision, judged for its direction and speed, and then primary vision
should be centered on the leading edge of the target, all as the gun is just starting to move.
Swinging Through the Target - In ATA shooting there are several techniques used in swinging
to the target. The most common is to hold a high gun, look around the gun until the target
appears, and then, as the target moves above the gun, to move the gun to the target. As the barrel
touches the trailing edge of the target the trigger is pulled. By using a gun with a high Point of
Impact (70/30 or greater) the gun actually builds in the correct lead and shoots in front of the
rising target, breaking the target. Because some of the bunker targets are flatter than ATA targets,
this technique does not work well in Olympic trap. Remember that bunker guns generally have a
flatter POI than ATA guns. The correct method is to swing through the target and pull the trigger
as its leading edge is reached. Where to break the target in Olympic trap becomes a function of
how quickly the shooter can react to the emergence of the target and how far the gun needs to
move in order to obtain the correct sight picture. Once the shooter sees the movement and
direction of the target, the gun should begin to move along the target’
s flight path. The trigger is
pulled as soon as the barrel touches the leading edge of the target. It is essential that the gun
continues to move along the target’
s flight path even after the first shot is taken because a second
shot at the same target may be required.
Now, go out and try it - You now have the basics of the game and are ready to begin developing
your abilities as a bunker shooter. These three articles were designed to get you started into the
Olympic style of trap shooting. How far these fundamentals carry you is a function of your own
determination and dedication. Start by going out and finding a bunker near your home, and give it
a try. Practice awhile and then join a USA Shooting sanctioned match. We would like to see you
at one of the Selection Matches or the National Championships. You will like the challenge and
camaraderie of this Olympic sport and remember, always have fun!