Partner with a Shooting Range

A respected business alliance with your local shooting range is the most critical component to a successful team. Involving them early in the process of forming a team will lead to a mutual understanding of expectations and results. Shooting ranges that have hosted League teams previously understand the need for teams and can assist with accommodating for future growth. Most shooting ranges will do everything they can to help young people get involved in shooting sports. Generate some ideas how your team can help them in return.IMG_9788

  1. Contact your local shooting range to meet with the manager.
  2. Discuss your plans to have a school clay target team shooting at their range and make them familiar with the League’s Policies & Procedures.
  3. Communicate to the manager that no alcohol or tobacco use during events is allowed.
  4. Work with the manager to acquire the number of fields necessary to host the team safely. The basic field need calculation is: 1 field = 5 athletes/hour (two rounds of 25 targets each).
  5. Work with the manager to set a schedule that works best for student athletes and coaches. The League’s event schedule begins Sunday and ends Saturday at 9 p.m. each week. Check with the school regarding end time and then estimate the travel time to determine the earliest weekday starting time. Teams are allowed up to two days a week to complete their scheduled event. Earlier scheduled days in the week are convenient in case an event(s) is cancelled due to inclement weather. The event can then be rescheduled within the same week before scores need to be submitted by Saturday at 9 p.m.
  6. Identify expenses for participants. Many shooting ranges offer discount youth rates for targets and ammunition. Define the cost for targets (50 each week), ammunition (50 each week), eye and hearing protection, and optional team uniform.
  7. Gather information on range rules, polices, and waivers and distribute to coaches, students and parents.
  8. Ask for suggestions from range instructors, safety officers, and staff.
  9. Discuss options and availability of ammunition and supplies.
  10. Invite the range manager to the team’s open house for questions and answers.
  11. Some teams utilize two shooting ranges for their team to accommodate larger teams and/or travel time for student athletes.
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