Musketeer 5-Stand

Musketeer 5-Stand brings the variety of sporting clays to young shooters in one compact, easy-to-supervise field. Instead of walking a long course, shooters take turns at five stations set in a line, while a bank of traps throws a wide mix of target presentations — the kinds of birds and angles a hunter actually sees in the field.

What is 5-Stand Sporting?

5-Stand is often described as “sporting clays in a small space.” The field has five shooting stations (usually framed cages) side by side, and typically six to eight numbered traps placed in front of, beside and sometimes behind the line. Each trap throws its own presentation, for example:

• Crossers that travel left-to-right or right-to-left in front of the shooter
• Incomers and outgoers that fly toward or straight away from the station
• Quartering birds that angle away or toward the shooter
• Rabbits (rollers) that bounce and skip along the ground
• Teal or springing targets that climb steeply and then fall
• “Fur and feather” style combinations, such as a rabbit paired with an aerial bird

A menu card posted at each station tells the shooter which numbered traps will throw from that station and in what order. Because the same trap looks completely different from each of the five stations, a small field offers a huge variety of shots.

How a round works

• A squad of up to five shooters takes one station each; shooters rotate down the line so everyone shoots every station.
• A standard round is typically 25 targets, usually five per station.
• Targets are thrown as singles, report pairs (the second target is launched at the sound of the first shot) and true pairs (two targets launched at the same time).
• Scoring is simple: each target broken counts as a hit and each miss is lost, for a score out of 25. The menu tells the shooter exactly what is coming, so the challenge is executing a plan.

Why 5-Stand is great for youth

• Variety keeps it fun. Every station brings new angles and speeds, so practice never feels repetitive.
• Simulates field hunting. Crossing, flushing, climbing and running targets mirror what young hunters see with upland birds, waterfowl and rabbits.
• Builds a smooth swing. Kids learn a consistent move-mount-shoot sequence: start the muzzle moving with the bird, bring the gun to face and shoulder, and fire as the gun settles on the line.
• Teaches footwork and reading target lines. Shooters learn to find the break point, set their feet and hold point for it, and pick up each bird quickly.
• Reinforces good gun fit. Varied presentations quickly show whether a gun fits the shooter, and coaches help adjust stance, mount and fit as kids grow.
• A natural next step. It builds on the trap and skeet fundamentals from our other Musketeer shotgun programs and prepares kids for full sporting clays.

Safety on the 5-Stand field

• Only the shooter whose turn it is loads, and only inside the station cage, after the coach gives the go-ahead.
• Guns stay unloaded with actions open between turns and whenever moving between stations.
• Muzzles stay pointed downrange and within the cage limits at all times.
• Eye and ear protection are required for everyone on and near the field.
• A coach is on the line with the squad throughout every round.

What kids learn

• Safe shotgun handling and 5-Stand range etiquette
• Reading a menu card and planning each station
• Hold points, break points and stance for different target lines
• Move-mount-shoot technique and follow-through
• Shooting singles, report pairs and true pairs
• Focus, composure and good sportsmanship in a squad

Equipment

Shooters use a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun, chosen with a coach based on the shooter’s size, strength and experience. Open chokes such as improved cylinder or light modified handle most 5-Stand presentations, and coaches help shooters choose. Program shotguns are available for participants, especially new ones. Eye and ear protection are required.