5-Stand Training & Info
A fast-paced, compact clay game — great to learn and fun once you know it.
5-Stand is one of the most popular clay games around: five shooting stations, targets thrown from several traps in a set sequence, and a full 25-target round in well under 30 minutes. Below are some resources to learn the game and get a feel for it before you try it at the range.
Organizations & events
- NSCA website (National Sporting Clays Association)
- 5-Stand Basics (official NSCA overview)
- NSCA shoot event finder
Instruction & video
Other clubs & resources
- Clay target clubs in the USA (Clay Targets Online)
- Falmouth Rod and Gun Club (located next to FSC)
- National Rifle Association
- Massachusetts gun club directory
A beginner's guide to 5-Stand
The layout: five shooting stations arranged in a line, with six to eight automatic traps positioned around them to simulate different game birds. Each station has a "menu card" that spells out exactly which traps will throw and in what order — so unlike a random report pair, you always know what's coming before you call for the target.
A round is 25 targets: shooters rotate through all five stations, shooting the sequence shown on that station's menu card before moving to the next. A full squad can usually finish a round in 25–30 minutes, which makes 5-Stand a quick, satisfying option even on a busy day at the range.
A few basics to know: guns must stay open and empty except when it's your turn in the shooting cage, and chokes can't be changed once a round has started. Because the target sequence is fixed and posted right at the stand, 5-Stand is often recommended as an easy on-ramp to sporting clays — you get variety without needing to walk a whole course.
Getting started
- Watch a squad first — the menu card tells you what's coming, so watching one rotation before you shoot is one of the fastest ways to learn the game.
- Pick your hold point — decide where you'll watch for the target before you call, just like at any other station.
- Move to the target, not just your eyes — 5-Stand throws a wider variety of angles and speeds than skeet or trap, so a smooth gun mount matters even more.
- Don't rush the rotation — with five stations and a squad rotating through, there's no need to hurry your shot to keep pace.
- Any gauge works — as with skeet, lighter loads and smaller shot sizes are generally preferred; ask at the club if you're not sure what to bring.