When you step onto the sporting clays course at a National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) event, you'll be matched with competitors who have similar experience and skill. This fair and fun system is made possible by classifications and concurrents-two ways NSCA organizes shooters for competition.
Whether you're brand new or working toward Master Class, here's what you need to know about where you fit in and who you'll compete against.
New to sporting clays and wondering how competition works? In this NSCA Guide, Nicki Bowers, Assistant Director of the National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA), explains how shooters are categorized by skill level, age and even gender, to ensure fair and fun competition for everyone.
Understanding NSCA classifications (skill level) and concurrents ( age and/or category levels) is key to competing in sporting clays tournaments.
3 Factors Determining Who You Will Compete Against at NSCA Matches
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How Are NSCA Shooters Classified?
If you're new to registered sporting clays with NSCA, you might be wondering what the letters Master, AA, A, B, C and D mean and how you're placed in one of those classes. NSCA assigns every shooter a class and keeps it from year to year; during a season you generally move upward only (except by appeal/review). You'll receive a classification card and you must present it when you enter a registered event.
Where you start. A brand-new NSCA member who hasn't shot registered clays is placed in Class C for 12-gauge and Class D for sub-gauge. After your first 300 registered 12-gauge targets with no punches, you may request a classification review if appropriate.
How you move. Unlike NSSA's percentage table by gauge, NSCA advancement is based on punches you earn for high finishes within your class at registered events. Punches scale with the size of your class (more entries = more punches awarded). The Rule Book provides the punch schedule and special allocations for major shoots (e.g., Nationals and U.S. Open).
