How does a trap final work?
B · Beginner · Finals and ties · 4 of 4Eight athletes start from zero and shoot one shot at each target. After 10 targets the bottom two are eliminated, after 15 the next two and after 20 one more. The bronze medal is decided after 25 targets, and the last two athletes shoot five more, to 30, for gold and silver.
How it works
| After | Targets shot in that step | Who goes out |
|---|---|---|
| 10 targets | 10 (4 right, 4 left, 2 centre) | 7th and 8th |
| 15 targets | 5 (2 right, 2 left, 1 centre) | 5th and 6th |
| 20 targets | 5 | 4th |
| 25 targets | 5 | 3rd, who takes bronze |
| 30 targets | 5 | Gold and silver decided |
- Who is in it: the eight highest-ranking athletes from qualification.
- From zero: qualification scores are not carried forward.
- Start numbers: 1 to 8 by qualification ranking, with the best qualifier number 1.
- One shot: finalists fire one shot only at each target. Firing two makes the target lost, hit or not.
- Time: 12 seconds to call for each target, on an electronic timer.
- Targets: flash targets that release coloured powder when hit.
- Ties on the way: a tie at any elimination up to and including third place goes to the athlete with the lower start number, the better qualifier.
- A tie for gold: an immediate shoot-off.
- Reporting: finalists report 30 minutes before the start. Reporting late costs two points. An athlete who is not there 15 minutes before does not start and is ranked last.
Tricky cases
Two athletes are level for sixth place when two must go out. Is there a shoot-off?
No. Ties for places three to eight are broken by start number. The athlete who qualified higher stays in.
The last two are level after the final target. Is the better qualifier the champion?
No. A tie for gold and silver goes to an immediate shoot-off, with no test firing and no showing of targets.
A finalist fires a second shot at a target out of habit and breaks it. Does it count?
No. If an athlete fires two shots in a final, the target is declared lost whether it was hit or not.
A finalist's gun breaks down. Can they get it repaired?
Yes, within limits. The athlete has not more than three minutes to repair it, get another approved shotgun or replace the ammunition. If that cannot be done, the athlete must withdraw and is ranked on the targets hit so far.
Why the rule exists
A final from zero means the medals are decided in front of the crowd and the cameras, and a leader cannot coast on a qualification lead. Steady eliminations keep every step meaningful. The qualification ranking still counts for something, since it breaks ties in the earlier stages.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISSF rules | As above | ISSF 9.17.2; ISSF 9.17.3; ISSF 9.17.4.1 |
| Mixed team final | Four teams and its own elimination steps | ISSF 9.18.4 |
| Team events of three | No final. The result is the sum of the three individual qualification scores | ISSF 9.19.1; ISSF 9.6.1.3 |
| Earlier editions | Final formats have changed between Olympic cycles. Older broadcasts will not match this page | C |
From the rule book
ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), Shotgun Rules, rules 9.17.1 to 9.17.6. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).