NSSA - National Skeet Shooting Association

The National Skeet Shooting Association is the world's largest organization dedicated to the sport of Skeet Shooting.

This Month In Clay Target Nation

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The November issue of Clay Target Nation is packed full of coverage from the World Skeet Championships — but don’t worry, it’s also got plenty of tips and pieces of helpful advice for all shooters.

In our Training Tips columns, Paul Giambrone III  has some solutions for shooters who struggle when swapping between rifles or pistols and shotguns. Meanwhile, Anthony Matarese reminds sporting clays shooters that breaking targets isn’t the same thing as being successful.

The 2026 World Skeet Championships concluded in early October, and this issue is full of coverage of Connor Thigpen’s big HOA wins at the World and the Mini World, as well as details on the Hall of Fame banquet and the grand reopening of the newly remodeled and expanded Hal duPont NSSA-NSCA Museum and Hall of Fame. There’s also a photo gallery where you can see lots of action shots and behind-the-scenes photos.

On the sporting clays side, some big events get coverage in this issue, including the South Central Regional and the first-ever World Super Sporting Championship, held at Northbrook Sports Club.

There are plenty of helpful articles in this issue, too, including a spotlight on the new NSCA Champions Coaching Circle and its elite members. Dr. Richard Colo takes an unflinching look at flinching, while Marty Fischer shares some insights for sporting clays shooters who struggle to break the second target of a pair. Haylyn Hanks offers 10 tips for youth shooters, and finally, John Shima chimes in to remind shooters that their purpose for shooting might change over the years — and that’s OK.

Advertisers in the November issue are:

Clay Target Nation is available monthly to all members in digital and/or print form. Not a member? You can receive the next issue when you join at http://nssa-nsca.org/join-nssa-nsca/.

Election Results for 2027-2028 Executive Committee

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The election for Executive Committee members for the 2027-2028 term has closed, and the following EC members have been elected:

      Zone 1 – Jeff Ventry (NY)
      Zone 2 – John H. Snyder (VA)
      Zone 3 – Ken Ford (KY)
      Zone 4 – Walton Starling (GA)
      Zone 5 – Ryan Smithart (IA)
      Zone 6 – Katie Fichtner (OK)
      Zone 7 – Dennis James (CA)
      Zone 8 – Brad McRae (ON)
      Zone 9 – Andrew Winders (USAF)

Congratulations to the individuals who were elected to serve on the Executive Committee. We appreciate your willingness to serve.
 

Format Changes for 2027 Triple J Classic

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Beginning with the 2027 Triple J Classic, the event rotation schedule will be updated to improve overall event flow and create an earlier completion time on Sunday. The updated format will include:

  • An earlier start time on Friday (2 hours)
  • Two 12-gauge rotations completed Friday afternoon
  • Sunday’s final rotation begins approximately three hours earlier than this year’s format

These adjustments are designed to create a smoother and more accommodating experience for our competitors, referees, families, and staff while maintaining the atmosphere and traditions that make the Triple J Classic special. By shifting a portion of the 12-Gauge Championship to Friday, we are able to significantly
improve the Sunday schedule and provide competitors with earlier Sunday completion times, improved travel flexibility, less late-day Sunday congestion, and a better overall rotation balance throughout the weekend. We believe this updated format will improve the overall Triple J experience while preserving the
competitive structure our shooters enjoy year after year.

We appreciate your continued support and look forward to welcoming everyone back to the 2027 Triple J Classic.

 

Five NSSA Directors-at-Large Elected

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The election is now complete for NSSA Directors-at-Large for the 2027-2028 term. Current members of the Board of Directors voted on the Directors-at-Large in an election that ended July 31.

The elected Directors-at-Large are:

    Katie Fichtner (OK)
    John Haugh (CA)
    Ken Ford (KY)
    Douglas Frey (LA)
    Tom Bolling (GA)

Directors-at-Large have the same responsibilities as other elected Directors, except that they represent all members instead of one state. They will assume their roles on January 1, 2026, and serve through December 31, 2028.

 

Two Rule Changes Passed by Board of Directors

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The NSSA Board of Directors recently voted to pass two rule changes submitted for consideration by the Executive Committee.

First Responder (FR) Concurrent Eligibility

Effective January 1, 2027, the NSSA First Responder (FR) Concurrent eligibility requirements will be revised. The rule change removes military police and military fire / rescue personnel from First Responder Concurrent eligibility while retaining existing credential verification and enforcement requirements. Veterans and retirees who hold independent, non-military first responder credentials remain fully eligible based on those credentials. The rule change also expands eligibility to include volunteer first responders.

To ensure all participants are vetted under the revised eligibility requirements, all shooters currently enrolled in the First Responder Concurrent will be removed from the concurrent effective January 1, 2027. Shooters wishing to participate in the First Responder Concurrent on or after January 1, 2027, must submit the required documentation to NSSA Headquarters and receive approval before being reinstated in the concurrent. This reapplication process will ensure that all participants meet the revised eligibility requirements and are vetted under a uniform approval process.

Rule Change: Section III-C-18
18. A first responder (FR) is any sworn law enforcement officer, fire service and/or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel (including military police and fire/rescue personnel) employed full-time, or part-time, or as a volunteer by, or retired from, a federal, state, county, municipal or township government.

Prohibited Optical, Recording, and Technology-Assisted Devices

Effective immediately, this rule addition prohibits the use of video-recording devices, optical aiming aids, laser aiming devices, and technology-assisted devices that provide target enhancement, lead calculation, shot-pattern tracking, or similar competitive advantages during NSSA registered events and shoot-offs.

Rule Addition: Section II-A-2-f
f. Use or have present on the field any video-recording device or camera mounted on the gun, person, or glasses; any laser aiming device; any optical sight or scope with magnifying, light-emitting, and/or electronic target-enhancing properties; or any device with lead-calculating, shot-pattern-tracking, or similar spotting features — whether fitted to the gun or worn or carried on the shooter’s person — during all NSSA registered events and shoot-offs, regardless of whether the device is powered on or off.

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