Down-the-Line Trap (DTL) is the most popular version of trap in the UK. One trap is set in the centre of the layout, with five stands, or pegs, in a line behind it. 

Starting from the left peg, each shooter takes their turn shooting at an individual target. Once all five shooters have shot, the leftmost shooter starts the process again, until each shooter has shot at five targets. At this point, the shooters move one peg to the right (the shooter on peg five goes around the back of the line to stand one), and the process starts again. These rounds of five shots continue until every shooter has shot at 25 targets. 

A single target is thrown each time the shooter calls ‘Pull!’, but the shooter has two shots to hit the target. Three points are awarded for a first-barrel hit, and two points if a second shot is needed. A miss gives no points.

General rules of DTL

1. Every member must acquaint themselves with these rules.
2. Hearing protection is mandatory and eye protection is highly recommended.
3. Competitors should take sufficient cartridges to complete each stage. Any competitor failing to take enough cartridges to compete the round or stand will incur one-target penalty (3 points) on each occasion.
4. Competitors declared absent will be fined a two-target penalty (6 points) and be given the opportunity to shoot the remainder of the targets in or on that round at the referees discretion.
5. Time limits – all competitors must call their targets within 10 seconds of the referee acknowledging shooting may commence (Trap ready).
6. Competitors must shoot only from the designated firing mark with both feet entirely within the boundary of the shooting station. Dispensation for disabled shooters will apply.
7. Failure to stand with both feet entirely within the boundary of the shooting station whilst calling for and shooting at any target will incur a warning from the referee in the first instance and a one-target penalty (3 points) for the second and any substance offences within each stand.
8. Safety – Side by Side & Over and under shooters must always treat every gun as if it is loaded. Guns must be kept open and unloaded at all times except when on the shooting mark and permission has been given to load by the referee.
9. Safety – Semi-automatic and pump action guns are to be carried with the breach open, or flagged and the muzzle pointing straight up in the air. Always check the barrels are clear before commencing shooting.
10. At the point of firing, the gun must be seen to be “in the shoulder”. Anyone firing from anywhere but the shoulder will be warned in the first instance and any subsequent offence, a request will be made by the referee to disqualify the shooter.
11. Double discharge. After ascertaining the reason for the malfunction and a decision whether to permit the shooter to continue, the target will be declared “No target or bird” and a new target will be called and scored.
12. Shooters are allowed a maximum of two malfunctions (gun or ammunition) in any one round, whether or not they have changed their gun or ammunition. Any additional malfunction will be declared lost.
13. Protests. It is forbidden to pick up a target from the field in order to find out whether it has been hit or not.
14. If a shooter disagrees with the referee’s decision regarding a shot, the referee will stop the shooting and make a decision. The referee’s decision is final.
15. Target “Lost”, a target shall be declared “LOST” when in the opinion of the referee only:
    • a. A regular target remains unbroken after being fired at and is not “hit”
    • b. Shooter after an apparent malfunction or misfire opens the gun or moves the safety catch before handing the gun to the referee.
    • c. Shooter suffers a third or subsequent malfunction or misfire in the same stage.
    • d. A shooter fails to fire for any reason due to personal error, fault or negligence.
    • e. “No target or bird” after target has been declared a “No target or bird” it is no longer part of the competition. It must on “NO ACCOUNT” be shot at. When a “No target or bird is deliberately or intentionally shot at, the referee will warn the competitor and mark this scorecard accordingly. Should there be a subsequent occurrence within the same stand, the referee will call a loss of the target.
16. Referees must ensure that no coaching or tuition is permitted from any quarter once a competition has commenced. A one-target penalty (3 Points) will be deducted from the score of the competitor shooting. If the competitor does not score on that stand a zero is marked in the first free spot of any stand that he has not been shot.
17. Viewing targets, when the line is ready and the referee has indicated “Trap ready” the shooter on stand one shall call to view a single target.
18. When all is ready and the correct the referee shall call “Line ready”. At this point all shooters may insert two cartridges into their barrels but the guns must remain open.
19. After five targets have been shot at from each stand, an indication to unload and change shall be given by the referee.
20. No targets, a target shall be declared “NO TARGET or BIRD” and another target will be allowed when in the opinion of the referee only.
    • a. A broken target is thrown (whether shot at or not).
    • b. An irregular hole target appears and is not shot at.
    • c. There is a permissible misfire or malfunction.
    • d. Second barrel malfunction. If the first shot is a miss and the second shock misfires, a new target must be thrown. The first shot at the new target must miss the target and the competitor must attempt to hit the target with their second shot. If the target is hit with the first shot it is scored “LOST”.