Olympic trap: how to get started in clay target shooting in Brazil

Olympic trap (fossa olímpica in Portuguese) is the Olympic clay target event in which the athlete fires a shotgun at clay targets launched from a trench in front of the shooting stations. In the qualification round of International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) competitions, each athlete shoots at 125 targets, and the top 8 go to the final. In Brazil, the path to competing goes through a club, the sport shooter Registration Certificate (CR) issued by the Federal Police (Polícia Federal, PF) and the state federation.

Note: clay target shooting requires hearing and eye protection and strict safety rules at the station. Always start with an instructor at the club. This text is for information only.

How does Olympic trap work?

The Portuguese name comes from the trench ("fossa") from which the machines launch the targets, just in front of the stations.

Under ISSF rules and publications:

Data checked in the ISSF shotgun training manual for range officials and judges, 2026 edition and in the ISSF article on the trap format at the Changwon World Championship, on October 19, 2026.

What is the difference between Olympic trap and skeet?

Both are Olympic clay target events with a shotgun, with 125 targets in qualification, according to the ISSF manual. In trap, the targets come out of the trench in front of the stations. Skeet uses a different type of field, with its own rules.

The 2026 calendar of the Brazilian Sport Shooting Confederation (Confederação Brasileira de Tiro Esportivo, CBTE) lists rounds of the Brazilian Olympic clay target championship (FO/SK, Olympic trap and skeet), as well as other clay disciplines, such as automatic trap and national trap.

Which firearm is used in Olympic trap?

A smoothbore shotgun. In Brazil, art. 11, III, of Decree 11.615/2023 (Decreto 11.615/2023) lists as permitted use "portable, long, smoothbore, repeating firearms of twelve gauge or smaller". To buy one, the shooter needs a CR and authorization from the PF.

The choice of model, barrel length and ammunition should follow the rules of the discipline and the guidance of an instructor.

How to get started in clay target shooting, step by step

1. Look for a shooting club that has a clay field and is affiliated with your state federation.
2. Take beginner lessons with an instructor, learning station safety, grip and how to read the target.
3. Wear hearing and eye protection at every session.
4. Get the sport shooter CR from the PF if you want to own a firearm and compete. Sport shooting with a CR is allowed from age 18 (art. 34 of Decree 11.615).
5. Meet the regular practice requirement (habitualidade): at least 8 training sessions or competitions per year at a club, per type of firearm, to keep the CR (art. 22 of PF Normative Instruction DG/PF No. 311/2025).
6. Join the state federation and start with club and regional competitions.

See what IN 311 requires of sport shooters in CAC rules under IN 311.

Club firearm or your own?

Art. 34, § 2, of Decree 11.615 allows sport shooting with a firearm and ammunition from the shooting entity, under the conditions of the decree. Ask the club how beginner sessions with club firearms work.

With your own firearm, transporting it to the club requires a transit permit (guia de tráfego), with the firearm unloaded, on the route and within the period of the permit. For training, the permit is valid for up to 6 months (art. 42 of IN 311). See how to issue the transit permit.

Can minors shoot clay targets?

Under art. 34, § 1, of Decree 11.615, people over 14 and under 18 may receive a CR on an exceptional basis, with court authorization, psychological fitness, supervision by their legal guardian and exclusive use of firearms belonging to the shooting entity or to the guardian.

Next step

Find a club with a clay field near you and book a beginner lesson. To follow the sport, see how Brazil did at the Cairo World Cup. If you prefer courses with movement, read IPSC for beginners.