Student Athlete Firearm Education (SAFE)

Click to visit the SAFE Certification website

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

, , , , , ,