English Sporting (ESP) is the most popular discipline in England. From November 2017 to October 2018, 56% of all CPSA Registered targets shot were ESP. 

In ESP, shooters move across a course of stands set across a wide variety of terrain, often set far apart. The terrain can vary from woodland to farmland to rolling hills or cliff faces – whatever is available on the land is fair game. For this reason, it is sometimes likened to ‘golf with shotguns’. 

Targets at each stand can be anything that is safe. Targets thrown are often named according to the game they simulate such as ‘rising teal’ or ‘high driven (pheasant)’. There is even a target that is thrown so that it rolls and bounces on the ground, called a ‘rabbit’ . At each stand there’s a shooting cage where the shooter stands, with bars on the sides and top that prevent the shooter from moving the gun too far in any direction that would be unsafe.

General rules of English Sporting

1. Every member must acquaint themselves with these rules.
2. Whether shooting or observing. Hearing protection is mandatory and eye protection is highly recommended however, eye protection is mandatory for all under 18s.
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 a two-target penalty on each occasion.
4. Viewing targets. Any shooter who has not had the opportunity to see the targets on any stand shall have the right to see one target from each trap for that stand from a position “outside of the cage”. All shooters should avail themselves of the opportunity to view the targets whilst waiting for their turn to shoot. Any stand that is in use when shooters arrive will not be permitted to see another pair. Only on stands that have no one already shooting is the viewing of targets permitted. 
5. Competitors must shoot only from the designated cage with both feet entirely within the boundary of the shooting station. Dispensation for disabled shooters will apply.
6. 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 deduction of two targets for the second and any subsequent offences within each stand.
7. Safety, Side by Side and 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 in the cage. In no circumstances may a shooter move to the stand before the preceding shooter has left the stand and it is their turn to shoot. 
8. Safety, Semi-automatic, pump action and bolt action guns are to be carried with the breach open or flagged and the muzzle pointing straight upwards. Always check the barrels are clear before commencing shooting. 
9. Guns in slips should always point vertically.
10. At the point of firing two cartridges may be fired at a single target, but the shooter will not be allowed to load more than two cartridges for firing at each pair. (Note: The only time three cartridges may be loaded is during the“Three shot / 75Bird” competition. This is the only exception to this rule).
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 would 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 targets will be declared lost.
13. Protests. It is forbidden to cross the blue rope or line in order to find out whether the target has been hit or not.
14. If a shooter disagrees with the referees or markers decision regarding a shot, the referee or marker will stop the shooting and make a decision. The referee or markers decision is final.
15. Scoring Pairs. A shooter has the right to shoot either of the targets first. Should the shooter hit both targets together with either the first or second shot the result will be pair scored.
16. Any regular pair the shooter having missed the first target, may fire the second cartridge at the same target. The result being scored on the first target the second target being counted as a loss unless the shot breaks both targets.
17. No target. Following a“No target or bird” being called a new target will be launched, the shooter having fired or not providing:
    • a. The target is broken at the start.
    • b. The target is launched from the wrong trap.
    • c. Two targets are launched simultaneously when a single should have been thrown.
    • d. The target is another colour than the TLM targets used on that stand. 
    • e. The first or second target of a pair is irregular and not safe to shoot at.
    • f.  Target is launched before the shooter has called for it.
    • g. The target is launched after a delay of more than three seconds.
    • h. The shooter fires at the first target and this target collides with the second before the shooters fired their second shot.
    • i.  In the case of a “No target or Bird” in simultaneous or following pairs the shooter will be asked to fire a second pair to determine the scores of the two shots.
    • j.  This will apply in the case of a malfunction of gun or ammunition not attributed to the shooter, provided it is not the third time on that stand.
18. The referee or marker may offer a new pair when:
    • a. The shooter has been materially disturbed.
    • b. The referee or marker cannot decide for any reason if the target had been a hit or a lost.
19. When a second target of the report pair is declared “No target or Bird” the result of the shot at the first target will stand (First bird established) and the shooter will be asked to repeat the pair to determine the result of the second target.
20. When re-shooting the pair the shooter must make a responsible attempt to hit the first target before attempting to shoot the second.
21. Referees or markers must ensure that shooters adhere strictly to rule 19. If a violation takes place the referee or marker shall ask the shooter to repeat the pair (First bird established) if the shooter violates rule 19 on three occasions, then the third occasion the second target will be declared lost.
22. Target “Lost”. A target shall be declared “LOST” when in the opinion of the referee only:
    • a. A regular target remained unbroken after being fired and is not a “hit”.
    • b. Shooter after an apparent malfunction or misfire opens the gun or moves the safety catch before being checked by the referee or marker.
    • c. A 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 a 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 is deliberately shot at the referee will warn the competitor and mark the scorecard accordingly. Should there be a subsequent occurrence within the same stand, the referee will call a loss of the target.
    • f. Referees must ensure that no coaching or tuition is permitted from any quarter once a competition has commenced. A one target penalty will be deducted from the score of the competitor shooting. If the competitor does not score on that stand a zero is marked on the first free spot any stand that has been shot.