Down-the-line (DTL) clay target shooting is a variation of trap shooting which is very popular in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Its origins are from the now banned pigeon shooting and the very beginnings of the clay target sport. DTL now forms part of the family of trap disciplines and in number of competitors is undoubtedly the largest variant, especially in the Commonwealth countries where it is most popular. Competitors use a double barrelled shotgun, usually 'under-and-over' type, and are allowed to fire both barrels at a single target released on the traditional call of 'Pull!'. The maximum load permitted is 28g per cartridge, slightly larger than the Olympic disciplines which use a standard 24g load.

The traditional DTL shooting layout is set up with 5 stands in a crescent shape 15 metres from a trap house, which throws a random target from an oscillating trap between 0 and 22.5 degrees to either side of a centre post, set 45 degrees from the trap house. The clay should always be on a common trajectory for height, even though it is variable in horizontal angle. The average speed for a clay target leaving the trap house is usually between 60 and 100 mph.

The competition is shot in 'squads', normally of 5 shooters occupying the 5. These squads are not usually teams as such, but groups of individual shooters shooting in turn i.e. Competitor 1 on station 1 shoots 1 target; then competitor 2 on station 2; etc. until each has shot 5 targets from each station. They then move one station to the right before shooting a further 5 shots in turn from that station and so on until 5 shots have been taken from all 5 stations, the 25 targets on that layout (aka trap).

DTL is perhaps the 'easiest' single shot to make of any clay shooting discipline, but the result is an incredibly high standard of competition. Even a small club shoot will see almost perfect scores posted by the better shots, so concentration and mental strength are the real talents displayed by competitors.

Most governing bodies record their member's scores from every club competition and then grade the competitors into grades, similar to a golf handicap. These grades are AA (nominally the elite shooters), A (expert), B (intermediate) and C (novice). Prizes are awarded in each grade so competitors are shooting for the overall 'High Gun' or against their peers in their respective grade. Averages are reassessed every 200 targets and shooters re-classified according to form.

There are further categories for Juniors (under 18), Ladies, Veterans (60+) and Super Veterans (70+), who will also be competing for High Gun and grade honours. There are often further teams events representing each Province or Club.

The sport is very inclusive - a novice shooter can find themselves on a squad alongside a World Champion, his wife, grandfather and grandson competing on equal terms. Competitors come from every walk of life and as entry to a typical club competition may be as little as $40 plus cartridges for an event perhaps the same again, the cost of competition is modest. It is certainly not the preserve of the wealthy.

Most shooting grounds will offer trial lessons and practice days.

Other variations are Double Rise, Single Barrel, Ball Trap, Minis, Triples and Handicap by Distance.