The Fast Track to Breaking Clay Targets
What You Will Learn in an NRA Basic Course
Using the NRA training method of Total Participant Involvement, basic courses provide hands-on learning opportunities in the following areas:
- safe firearm handling
- firearm parts and operation
- ammunition and its function
- shooting fundamentals and an opportunity to develop them on the range
- how to select, clean, and store a firearm
- review of various activities available to help participants develop and improve their shooting skills
NRA’s FIRST STEPS Program
FIRST (Firearm Instruction, Responsibility and Safety Training) STEPS is the NRA’s training program for new shooters. It provides hands-on orientation to one specific shotgun model in as little as three hours, including a one-hour shooting session on a range.
Enroll in a course today! Contact the NRA Certified Instructor nearest you!
Find An NRA Course Near You!
With over 55,000 instructors and over 16,000 of those instructors having shotgun credentials, the NRA has instructors that meet the needs of many shooters. For more information about the NRA’s Basic Firearm Training Program, please call the Training Department at 703-267-1430.
Materials Available on the Basics of Shotgun Shooting
The NRA publishes student manuals for each course in the program. While they are not a substitute for hands-on training, they are helpful and you can order them directly from the NRA. Contact the NRA Training Department for a Basic Firearm Training brochure.
Basic Shotgun Lesson Plans
FIRST Steps Shotgun Lesson Plans
Shotgun Wall Charts
Skeeters’ Guide
Basics of Shotgun Shooting Handbook
NRA / USA Shooting / CMP Coach Education Program
With over 1,000 shotgun coaches in the Coach Education Program, these coaches offer both basic and advanced technical and tactical skills coach training schools for rifle, pistol, shotgun and high power rifle, along with training camps and clinics. Training reflects the latest in coaching philosophy and presentation methodology along with the most up-to-date techniques and competition tactics necessary to help you and your team achieve your goals.
The Coach Education Program continuously strives to provide outstanding coach education and athlete training that provides a high-quality experience to every shooting athlete. A high-quality experience is one in which every athlete:
- Is coached using up-to-date training principles
- Learns the skills, tactics and strategies of the sport and improves as a shooter
- Has fun shooting
- Feels like an important part of the team regardless of performance
- Learns “life lessons” that have value beyond the range
How You Can Sponsor a School in Your Area
The NRA’s Education and Training Division schedules coach training schools, shooting clinics, shooting seminars, and American Sport Education Classes. The NRA is accepting requests to host shotgun coach schools. For information on how your organization can sponsor one of these events, click here for a Sponsor’s Guide. For information on Shotgun Coach Education, contact Don Sipes, 703-267-1401 or dsipes@nrahq.org
NRA Shooting Sports Camps
NRA Shooting Sports Camps provide adults, youth, families, hunters, sportsmen, competitors — literally everyone — the opportunity to come together under a formal program to learn, experience, share, and grow in appreciation of the shooting sports. The camp themes offered in the program are designed for discovery. They provide exposure to the many different activities available in shooting sports and offer camp participants the opportunity to explore them in a safe, controlled environment. Camps are a family affair! Everyone can attend!
Enroll in a Shooting Sports Camp.
Interested in Sponsoring an NRA Shooting Sports Camp at Your Club or Range?
You can tailor your NRA Shooting Sports Camp to the needs of your club, community or based on your resources. It’s a great way to introduce new folks and families to the shooting sports, as well as the programs and activities you offer at your club or range.
A complete planning guide puts all the information you need to conduct a camp right at your fingertips — program formats, support materials, and funding opportunities from the Friends of NRA grant program! Click here or call (800) 672-3888, extension 1591, to request NRA Shooting Sports Camp Planning Guide.
Shotgun Shooting Sports Camp Lesson Plans
Winchester / NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program
Qualification shooting is an informal, year-round recreational shooting activity that provides incentive awards for developing and improving marksmanship skills. It’s a drill. We set the standards, you meet the challenge! Progression is self-paced and scores are challenging but attainable. Performance is measured against established par scores and any shooter who meets or exceeds those scores is entitled to the corresponding recognition awards for that rating. It’s an honor system!
NRA staff is available to answer any questions you may have. Call the NRA Qualification Coordinator at (703) 267-1505.
Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program Booklet
Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics
Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics create more opportunities for women to learn all about firearms and to gain confidence in newly-acquired shooting skills.
- Learn safe firearms handling
- Learn how to store your firearms safely
- Learn to shoot
- Learn a sport you’ll enjoy for a lifetime
Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics
When you’ve finished your course, not only will you have learned the basics, you will be on your way to pursuing a lifetime of shooting. By joining one of the nearly 10,000 NRA-affiliated clubs located across the U.S., you can meet people who share your interest, and make lasting friendships. For more information about NRA-affiliated clubs, call 800-672-2582.