All student athletes are required to complete and submit certificates for either one of two League-approved firearm safety certification programs – a state-approved hunter education certificate or the League’s SAFE Certification. Teams should verify the firearm safety training certification requirements with the shooting range where they will be conducting League events.
SAFE Certificate Benefits
- Affordable – about the same as other hunter education classes
- Accessible – available online with tablet, smartphone or computer
- Comprehensive – the online course takes 3-4 hours to complete
- Fun – animated graphics, sound, and interactive learning make it entertaining
- Convenient – progress can be saved at anytime to work around busy schedules
- Relevant – it’s all about clay target shooting sports and firearm safety
- Consistent – everyone will learn the same content from a single source
- Verified – clay target team coaches help complete the SAFE Range Certification
SAFE Certificate Completion Requirements
The SAFE Certification requires the completion of the online AND shooting range certification programs to earn the SAFE Certificate.
Step 1: Complete the SAFE Online Certification prior to any participation with teams and/or League. To access the SAFE Online Certification, go to www.usaclaytargetsafe.com and create an account. The SAFE course costs $25. Upon completion of the online course, the student athlete will receive a confirmation email and PDF certificate.
Step 2: Complete the SAFE Range Day Certification prior to any participation with teams and/or League. The SAFE Range Day Certification is conducted at the shooting range and coordinated by the team. Students will participate in a training session conducted by a CLASS Certified coach on the team. The 1-2 hour shooting range training will include firearm safety, shooting sport procedures, shooting clay targets, and range safety requirements. The student athlete MUST complete the SAFE Online Certification BEFORE participating in the SAFE Range Day. Athletes must bring a printed SAFE Certificate to the SAFE Range Day. A CLASS-Certified coach must authorize it. The instructors must have completed the League’s Coach Leadership and Safety Support (CLASS) Certification program. Instructors will be provided a SAFE Range Day Certification guide from the League to assist with certification.
Step 3: Update SAFE Online and SAFE Range Day completion dates in ClayTargetGo! Athlete/parent or coach must enter the completion dates of the online and range day certification into the Athlete Management
System through ClayTargetGo! before scores are submitted for the student athlete. Head Coaches and team staff with access to the Team Management System (TMS) can also view and update a student athlete’s completion dates for both the online certification as well as the range date certification completion dates.
All student athletes that complete the SAFE Certification receive an official iron-on certificate patch from the USA High School Clay Target League. Patches are mailed to the team after the Reserve Week begins.
Content outline:
Student Athlete Firearm Education (SAFE) Certification Introduction
Beliefs and Priorities
Safety
Fun
Marksmanship
Sportsmanship
Equal Opportunities
Role Models
Team Success
Certification
Eligibility
Team Size
Registration
Lesson 1: League Overview
The League
Competition
Safety
Insurance
Chemical-Free Policy
Lesson 2: Policies and Procedures
Policies and Procedures
League Seasons
League Handbook
Lesson 3: Schools and Shooting Sports
Gun-Free Zone
Zero-Tolerance Policy
Penalties for Violating School Policy
Lesson 4: Know Your Firearms
Know Your Firearms
Types of Shotguns
Parts of a Shotgun
Patterning a Shotgun
Gauges
Chokes
Operation of a Shotgun
Lesson 5: Know Your Ammunition
Ammunition Basics
Gauges of Ammunition
How a Shot Shell Works
Lesson 6: Know your Gear and Accessories
Prohibited Clothing
Gear and Accessories
Prohibited Items
Lesson 7: Firearm Safety Procedures
Fundamentals
Firearm Safety Fundamentals
Safety Violations
Handling Misfires and Hang Fires
Barrel Obstructions
Altering Firearms
Lesson 8: Firearm Cleaning
Gun Oil
Dry Rag for Moisture
Dry Rag for Oil Application
Barrel Cleaning Device
Chamber Brush
Bore Brush
Basic Cleaning Tips
Lesson 9: Transporting and Storage of Firearms and Ammunition
Understanding State Laws and School Policies
Safe Transport
Safe Storage
Proper Storages
Lesson 10: Know Your Shooting Range
Trap
Skeet
Sporting Clays
5-Stand
Shotgun
Handgun
Rifle
Black Powder
Archery
Safety Courses
Competitions
Gunsmith Education
Shooting Skill Education
Lesson 11: Team Personnel
Head Coach
Assistant Coaches and Volunteers
Team Captains
Range Safety Officers
Lesson 12: Shooting Fundamentals
Position
Gun Fit and Gun Mount
Eye Coordination and Moving to Obtain the Current Lead
Follow Through, Dismount, and Unload
Lesson 13: Trap Shooting Fundamentals
Trap Overview
Preparing to Shoot
Shooting and Moving
Issues while Shooting
Exiting the Field
Lesson 14: Skeet Shooting Fundamentals
Skeet Overview
Preparing to Shoot
Shooting and Moving
Issues while Shooting
Exiting the Field
Lesson 15: League Scoring
True Team Scoring
Earning True Team ATHLETE Points
Earning True Team Points
Shooter Performance Tracker
Lesson 16: Conferences
Submitting Scores
Team Management System
Lesson 17: Respect and Responsibility
Leadership
Safety
Integrity
Privacy Policy