Skeet Etiquette

Skeet is a very social sport and you will enjoy your shooting the most if you follow generally accepted good manners and also a few that are peculiar to our sport.

Remember first that safety is of paramount concern to all in handling firearms, so never let your barrel point at anyone, even if the action is open and apparently empty! It will offend! Load your gun only when on the shooting station.
Follow all the safety rules in the rule book carefully and don’t be offended if you are corrected about one of them. Remember also that both eye and ear protection are required for everyone on a skeet field and are the rule for NSSA events.

Almost all will welcome you to shoot with them on a squad. Introduce yourself if you are new to the club or squad and conversely to a newcomer. If you are new to the sport, tell your squad mates that this is the case. If you are an experienced shooter, help welcome newcomers and explain rules and perhaps suggestions regarding conduct without being rude or obnoxious. Don’t coach new shooters unless requested, and almost always do separately, and not at all in registered matches.

If shooting is occurring on the field, remember that your behavior in the background, clubhouse porch or parking lot can be very distracting to those trying to concentrate on their shooting. In the clubhouse never handle other people’s guns without asking permission. Be sure your gun’s action is open or if an over-under, closed only when in the rack. Open it immediately upon picking it up!

For registered shooting, be on time and don’t delay your assigned squad. On the field, be ready to step up and shoot when it is your turn, not chatting in the background. While shooting, be very careful what you do with your gun and shells. Don’t eject your shells into the puller, referee or squad mates. Many shooters reload shells so only pick up your own and only after the round is over.

If on the field, stay back where you are not in the shooter’s peripheral vision. While shooting, turn off your cell phone and be quiet when a shooter is on the pad. Refrain from smoking during the round. During registered shooting, remember that other shooters on the squad are working hard so no matter how badly you may be shooting, don’t let your pique become a distraction to them.

In all shooting remember that the referee is there both to help and protect you. He/she needs your courtesy and support. Thank them for their job well done after the round or flight is over and thank your squad mates for the occasion to shoot with them.