General Meet Information
Meets will usually take place regardless of weather conditions, although there have been exceptions in recent years. If driving conditions are unsafe or the venue for the meet is unusable, the meet will be canceled and notices will be sent to students and parents as soon as possible.
Shooting usually start at 7:30 AM, but these times can vary. Squad assignments, expected trap assignments, and estimated squad start times will be published on the individual Meets pages on this website before each the meet. Shooters are required to check-in with the coaching staff at the meet, and must be at their assigned trap, with equipment and supplies ready, at least one hour before their squad’s estimated start time (shooters in the first couple of squads to start the day, just make sure you're there on time for your squad; not necessarily an hour early). Showing up to your trap late can disqualify you, causing your squad to shoot short (eliminating them from squad competition), and could delay the meet. Please do not be late to your trap!
At Divisional Meets (the first six of the season), Juniors shoot two rounds/boxes (of ammo) from the 16-yard line. Seniors shoot two rounds from the 16-yard line with their squad, then two rounds from handicap distance, where the distance is the average of the two 16-yard rounds, rounded up to the nearest whole number. Shoot Directors make an effort to place shooters from the same school in the same handicap squads when possible, but handicap squads will often also contain students from other teams who will be shooting at the same or similar distance.
The All Conference Meet is an individual competition only (no squad awards). TO QUALIFY to compete in the All Conference Meet, a student must have competed in at least 5 of the 6 Divisional Meets. There are no exceptions to this rule, so please keep that in mind when deciding whether to skip any divisional meets. Juniors will shoot 50 targets from 16 yards. Seniors will shoot 50 targets from handicap yardage (there is no 16-yard event for seniors). All eligible seniors are assigned a handicap yardage based on their five best 16-yard performances during divisional meets. All shooters, Juniors and Seniors, are assigned to a shooting class based on their average performance across their five best Divisional Meets. These calculations essentially mean that you will be squadded with and will compete against individuals (from the entire ECTC) who have shown similar shooting performance to your own throughout the season, so this meet will be an excellent chance to win an award! Please note that the rules for this event are such that (a) if you miss your squad you will not be re-squadded to shoot later, and (b) "entry fees will not be refunded for missed squads or scratches after squad assignments are published." Squad assignments are published by Wednesday night or (at the latest) the Thursday before the meet. If you committed to competing at the meet, then show up late or tell me after squads are published that you won't be there, your account will still be charged for the entry fee because the team will still have to pay for you.
At the State Meet, in Doniphan, NE, Juniors shoot four rounds (100 shots) in a row from the 16-yard line, with their school squad. Seniors shoot three rounds from the 16-yard line with their school squads, then (the following day) three rounds from handicap distance, with a mix of students from (possibly) our team and other teams.
Shooting usually start at 7:30 AM, but these times can vary. Squad assignments, expected trap assignments, and estimated squad start times will be published on the individual Meets pages on this website before each the meet. Shooters are required to check-in with the coaching staff at the meet, and must be at their assigned trap, with equipment and supplies ready, at least one hour before their squad’s estimated start time (shooters in the first couple of squads to start the day, just make sure you're there on time for your squad; not necessarily an hour early). Showing up to your trap late can disqualify you, causing your squad to shoot short (eliminating them from squad competition), and could delay the meet. Please do not be late to your trap!
At Divisional Meets (the first six of the season), Juniors shoot two rounds/boxes (of ammo) from the 16-yard line. Seniors shoot two rounds from the 16-yard line with their squad, then two rounds from handicap distance, where the distance is the average of the two 16-yard rounds, rounded up to the nearest whole number. Shoot Directors make an effort to place shooters from the same school in the same handicap squads when possible, but handicap squads will often also contain students from other teams who will be shooting at the same or similar distance.
The All Conference Meet is an individual competition only (no squad awards). TO QUALIFY to compete in the All Conference Meet, a student must have competed in at least 5 of the 6 Divisional Meets. There are no exceptions to this rule, so please keep that in mind when deciding whether to skip any divisional meets. Juniors will shoot 50 targets from 16 yards. Seniors will shoot 50 targets from handicap yardage (there is no 16-yard event for seniors). All eligible seniors are assigned a handicap yardage based on their five best 16-yard performances during divisional meets. All shooters, Juniors and Seniors, are assigned to a shooting class based on their average performance across their five best Divisional Meets. These calculations essentially mean that you will be squadded with and will compete against individuals (from the entire ECTC) who have shown similar shooting performance to your own throughout the season, so this meet will be an excellent chance to win an award! Please note that the rules for this event are such that (a) if you miss your squad you will not be re-squadded to shoot later, and (b) "entry fees will not be refunded for missed squads or scratches after squad assignments are published." Squad assignments are published by Wednesday night or (at the latest) the Thursday before the meet. If you committed to competing at the meet, then show up late or tell me after squads are published that you won't be there, your account will still be charged for the entry fee because the team will still have to pay for you.
At the State Meet, in Doniphan, NE, Juniors shoot four rounds (100 shots) in a row from the 16-yard line, with their school squad. Seniors shoot three rounds from the 16-yard line with their school squads, then (the following day) three rounds from handicap distance, with a mix of students from (possibly) our team and other teams.
Squad Assignments
Squad assignments for meets are determined by the Head Coach, in consultation with the rest of the coaching staff, based on a combination of students’ shooting performance at practices and meets, known ability, attitude, team interpersonal dynamics, and work ethic in helping with tasks during practices and meets (e.g., loading traps). Squad assignments may shift from time to time and are made with not only the benefit to the shooter in mind, but also benefits to the squads and to the team. No individual shooter is guaranteed or entitled to an assignment to any specific squad. While discussion is always welcome, parents and students are encouraged to respect the squad assignment decisions of the coaching staff and to understand that the Head Coach will always, without exception, have the final word regarding squad assignments.
Important to Know
Shoot-offs (competing directly against a small number of other individuals) are used at all meets to break ties for certain awards. If you’re in a shoot-off, that’s great; you did well! Think positively and bring some extra boxes of ammo and a winning attitude for this!
Score Keeping. Each team must provide score keepers at each meet; coaches usually handle these assignments. Students will learn how to keep score at practices.
Loading Traps. For meets at Izaak Walton (our home range), we typically take responsibility for loading two traps throughout the meet, usually traps 5 and 6. Coaches can take some of these responsibilities but have many other things to do as well, so assistance from students and parents is often also needed. Volunteers are greatly appreciated!
Meet Attendance. Shooters must confirm commitments to attend meets. You must inform the Head Coach as far in advance as possible if you cannot attend a meet to which you previously committed. Once your name has been submitted to a meet’s Shoot Director on the team’s squad roster, your meet fee is charged to the team whether you attend or not. Therefore, if you commit to attend a meet, but do not attend, your squad will have to “shoot short” (eliminating them from squad competition) and your meet fee cannot be refunded. We encourage shooters to participate in as many meets as possible. Shooters must participate in at least 5 of the 6 Divisional Meets to be eligible to participate in the All Conference Meet and to be eligible for the All Conference academic awards. There is no minimum meet attendance required to participate in the State Meet.
Transportation To and From Meets and Practices. Shooters and their family members are responsible for their own transportation to and from all scheduled meets and team practices. The team does not provide transportation.
Good Behavior. All team members are expected to act in an acceptable manner at all times and to avoid behavior that may reflect poorly on the team and the school. Parental support in this is appreciated.
Leaving a Meet. Shooters must notify one of the coaches before leaving a meet for any reason.
Tailgating. Circumstances allowing, we plan to tailgate at every Divisional meet and have a tent area available. Look for the team flag and trailer to find the tent, which is a good place to find a coach and check in. The tent is also where we’ll be serving breakfast and lunch at each meet. Please bring collapsible chairs for your family.
Score Keeping. Each team must provide score keepers at each meet; coaches usually handle these assignments. Students will learn how to keep score at practices.
Loading Traps. For meets at Izaak Walton (our home range), we typically take responsibility for loading two traps throughout the meet, usually traps 5 and 6. Coaches can take some of these responsibilities but have many other things to do as well, so assistance from students and parents is often also needed. Volunteers are greatly appreciated!
Meet Attendance. Shooters must confirm commitments to attend meets. You must inform the Head Coach as far in advance as possible if you cannot attend a meet to which you previously committed. Once your name has been submitted to a meet’s Shoot Director on the team’s squad roster, your meet fee is charged to the team whether you attend or not. Therefore, if you commit to attend a meet, but do not attend, your squad will have to “shoot short” (eliminating them from squad competition) and your meet fee cannot be refunded. We encourage shooters to participate in as many meets as possible. Shooters must participate in at least 5 of the 6 Divisional Meets to be eligible to participate in the All Conference Meet and to be eligible for the All Conference academic awards. There is no minimum meet attendance required to participate in the State Meet.
Transportation To and From Meets and Practices. Shooters and their family members are responsible for their own transportation to and from all scheduled meets and team practices. The team does not provide transportation.
Good Behavior. All team members are expected to act in an acceptable manner at all times and to avoid behavior that may reflect poorly on the team and the school. Parental support in this is appreciated.
Leaving a Meet. Shooters must notify one of the coaches before leaving a meet for any reason.
Tailgating. Circumstances allowing, we plan to tailgate at every Divisional meet and have a tent area available. Look for the team flag and trailer to find the tent, which is a good place to find a coach and check in. The tent is also where we’ll be serving breakfast and lunch at each meet. Please bring collapsible chairs for your family.