Laser Clay

Laser clay shooting is a safe version of clay pigeon shooting that uses light instead of live ammunition. You aim a modified shotgun at a clay target flying through the air, and the gun fires an invisible beam instead of shot. Sensors tell you when you've hit it. There's no recoil and no bullets, so the whole family can have a go.

A trap machine throws the clays up into the sky, just like in real clay shooting. When you pull the trigger, your gun sends out a beam of light. If your aim is spot on, a sensor picks up the hit, a sound plays and the score goes up on a display.

Because nothing actually hits the clay, it lands in one piece and can be used again. The guns often play a bang sound too, which makes it feel wonderfully real.

Clay shooting has lots of target types. Going-away targets fly straight out in front of you. Crossers fly from one side to the other, so you need to swing the gun with them. Incomers fly towards you, and rising targets, sometimes called teal, shoot steeply upwards.

In real clay shooting these targets are grouped into styles like trap, skeet and sporting, and laser clay borrows from all of them. Each one needs a slightly different swing, which keeps every round interesting.

Yes, it's a brilliant introduction to target sports. Your Activity Leader starts with a safety briefing and shows everyone how to hold the gun, tuck it into the shoulder and rest their cheek on the stock. Children soon learn the big tips: keep both eyes open, follow the clay and keep the gun moving as you pull the trigger. Scores are easy to see, so there's plenty of friendly family competition too.

Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes are perfect. A cap can help on a sunny day, as you'll be looking up at the sky. Eye protection and ear defenders are provided and must be worn throughout the session, even though the guns only fire light.

You might also like Air Rifle Shooting, Archery and Axe Throwing.

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