The Iowa Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) is a team-based youth development program that uses pistols, rifles, and steel targets to instill life skills such as discipline, safety, teamwork, ethics, mental focus, self-discipline, and self-confidence in Iowa's youth. Athletes from grade school through college may participate in any or all of these speed shooting sports.
In Iowa, the Department of Natural Resources serves as the State Advisor for the SASP program, and is responsible for providing assistance to new teams and hosting the state championships. In 2023, 120 athletes on 8 teams across Iowa participated in the Scholastic Action Shooting Program.
Most athletes compete in head to head competitions throughout the season as well as attend the State Championship events in June.
Getting started in the Scholastic Action Shooting Program is simple. There are three main components required:
The minimum number of participants (4 athletes over the age of 14 for pistol or over the age of 12 for rifle)
Facility to hold regular practices
Certified Coach/Coaches
The head coach distributes then collects the required registration forms available at the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation to register your team. Once your team is properly registered, your team may begin conducting practices and attending league and/or state championship events.
Coach Certification
Scholastic Action Shooting Program coaches must be 18 years of age or older. The coach's first and foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety of all participants. Coaches must hold one of the following certifications:
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
NRA Level 1 Pistol Coach
4H Shooting Sports Pistol Certification
IDPA Safety Officer or SO Instructor Certification
NROI Range Officer Certification
NRA Range Safety Officer
Regardless of prior certification, all coaches are encouraged to complete the NRA/CMP/USA Shooting Level 1.
Divisions and categories will follow the criteria defined by the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP):
Intermediate
Entry Level (1st year of participation as an intermediate)
Advanced
Senior
Junior Varsity (1st year of participation as a senior)
Varsity
Collegiate
Competitive Squads
Competitive squads will consist of four athletes from the same SASP team.
Rules
The rules defined by the Scholastic Action Shooting Program shall govern this event. Ties for 1st-3rd place among individuals or teams will be decided based on the SASP tie-breaking procedure.
Eligibility
All athletes must be registered with the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation and meet eligibility requirements as outlined in the SASP Handbook.
Awards
Team/squad awards by division and caliber:
1st - 3rd places open division: 1st - 3rd place
Individual Awards Men: by division and caliber: 1st - 3rd places
Individual Awards Women: by division and caliber: 1st - 3rd places
