At this station, the clay birds are launched almost straight up into the air. Additionally, mini or midi clay pigeons are used to gain the speed and height that a jumping teal would achieve. Each station is equipped with a shooting area that is referred to as a cage. This restricts the shooter from swinging his shotgun and firing in any direction which could be unsafe. Impact areas are clearly marked.
Safety is stressed.
Trappers closely watch shooters and quickly correct them if they attempt to load a gun before entering the shooting station. Atkinson finds that sporting clays is a family sport. It is in a controlled atmosphere and it is great for families to root each other on. Sporting clay rounds usually consist of a squad of four or five shooters. Ranges offer shooters the choice of walking the course or riding on a golf cart.