AFS at Longmeadow

An Overview of American Field Sporting

American Field sporting, or AFS for short, is a new and fun way for everyone to enjoy the pastime that is sporting clays. This variant has a lot in common with other types of clay shooting. There are four different field formats (Red, White, Blue, Green), each shot in 25 bird increments.

Red Field: 

The Red Field has a minimum of 6 traps with one dedicated exclusively to the X Bird.  Five stations with hoops are arrayed in a rectangular 2×2 box grid that is 90 feet wide by 30 feet deep. Station 1 through 4 are placed anywhere inside the grid with the corresponding numbered box. Station 5 must be placed in the center of the grid.  The squad gathers at Station 1 and is allowed two views of all targets as singles in numerical/alphabetical order except for the XBird. The XBird is previewed at Station 5 before shooters attempt the target.  Beginning at Station 1, each shooter in the squad will attempt the entire menu. When all shooters have attempted the menu, the squad rotates, moves to the next station, and attempts the targets on that menu. The field is complete when every shooter has attempted the complete menu at all five stations.

Target Menu:

• One-Shot Single
• Two-Shot Single
• Pair Any Type
• Pair Any Type
• XBird Two-Shot Single (Station 5 only)

White Field: 

Three stations with hoops or stands numbered 1‐3 are positioned at the target setter’s discretion. The White Field requires a minimum of 6 traps with 1 trap dedicated exclusively to the XBird.  At Station One the squad is allowed two views of all targets as singles in numerical/alphabetical order at each station. The XBird is previewed twice at the station from which it is thrown. Beginning at Station 1, each shooter in the squad will attempt the entire menu. When all shooters have attempted the menu, the squad rotates, moves to the next station, and attempts the targets on that menu. The field is complete when every shooter has attempted the complete menu at all three stations.

Target Menu:

• One-Shot Single
• Two-Shot Single
• Pair Any Type
• Pair Any Type
• Pair Any Type
• XBird Two-Shot Single (from its designated station)

Blue Field: 

Two Positions (stands or hoops) are located no more than a ninety‐foot radius from each other. Each Position contains 2 Stations for a total of 4 Stations. The Blue Field requires a minimum of 7 traps with 1 trap dedicated exclusively to the XBird.  Before shooting at each station the squad is allowed two previews of all targets as singles in numerical/alphabetical order.  The XBird is previewed twice at the station from which it is thrown.  When all shooters have attempted the menu at Station 1, the squad rotates, remains at Position One, previews and attempts the targets for Station 2. When all shooters have attempted the menu at Station 2, the squad rotates and moves to Position Two, previews and attempts the targets for Station 3. When all shooters have attempted the menu at Station 3, the squad rotates, remains at Position Two, previews and attempts the targets for Station 4. Shooting is complete when every shooter attempts both stations at Position 1 and 2.

Target Menu:

• One-Shot Single
• Two-Shot Single
• 2 Pair of Any Type

Green Field: 

Five stations with hoops numbered 1‐5 spaced between 15 – 20 feet apart in a straight line. The Green Field requires a minimum of 6 traps with 1 trap dedicated exclusively to the XBird.  The squad gathers at Station 3 and is allowed two views of all targets as singles in numerical/alphabetical order including the XBird.  Beginning at Station 3, each shooter will attempt the entire menu of singles and the XBird before the next shooter begins.   When all shooters have attempted the menu in Station 3, the entire squad moves to Station 4, rotates, and attempts the targets on that menu. When all shooters have attempted the menu in Station 4, the entire squad moves to Station 5, rotates, and attempts the targets on that menu. When all shooters have attempted the menu in Station 5, the entire squad moves to Station 1, rotates, and attempts the targets on that menu. When all shooters have attempted the menu in Station 1, the entire squad moves to Station 2, rotates, and attempts the targets on that menu. The field is complete when every shooter has attempted the complete menu at all five stations.

Target Menu:

• Station 3: 4 Two‐Shot Singles & XBird
• Stations 4, 5, 1, 2: One‐Shot Single, 2 Pair of Any Type

Scoring

AFS is scored just like all other sporting clays disciplines, aside for the XBird.  The XBird is a two-shot single; however, if the bird is broken on the first attempted, the shooter receives two points vs 1 point if hit on the second attempt.

Upcoming AFS Shoots at Longmeadow

As of now, we have two official shoots that will feature AFS events. The first is the NSCA Memorial 100 + AFS on Monday, May 30th. This year’s Rocky Mountain Classic will also have a 100 AFS event, and we are in the process of adding it at The Colorado State Championships. So, head on over to Score Chaser to get signed up!

Thanks for Reading!

We are very happy to be able to introduce this new game to our shooters as it really is a new and exciting take on the pastime that we all know and love. If you want to learn more, check out the official AFS website HERE. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to try out this new form of sport shooting for yourself!  Get signed up for one of the upcoming shoots mentioned above or, better yet, all of them!