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 certificate. 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 at clay targets, and range safety requirements. 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! The 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. AMS users can update and save the SAFE completion date in the student athlete’s profile in AMS. Head Coaches and team staff with access to the Team Management System (TMS) can view and update a student athlete’s completion dates. A student athlete that is missing a valid League-approved firearm safety certificate will be removed from the team’s roster when the Reserve Week begins. 

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