Sec. 1. Equipment and Ammunition
Sec. 2. Positions
Sec. 3. Range Standards
Sec. 4. Time Limits
Sec. 5. Competition Regulations and Range Operations
Sec. 6. Dead, Lost and No-bird Targets
Sec. 7. Range Controls
Sec. 8. Tournament Officials
Sec. 9. Scoring
Sec. 10. Protests
1. Equipment and Ammunition
1.1 General: All devices, ammunition, or equipment which are not mentioned in
these ru1es, or which are contrary to the spirit of these rules and regulations are
not allowed. The Jury has the right to examine the shooter's equipment and
apparel at any time there is reason to believe that these rules are being violated. It
is the sole responsibility of the competitor to submit questionable equipment,
ammunition, or apparel for official inspection and approval in sufficient time prior
to the beginning of a competition so that it will not inconvenience either the
competitor or the officials. Team leaders are held equally responsible that their
team members use equipment which is in accordance with these rules.
1.2 Guns: All types of shotguns, including automatics (self-loading) 12 gauge and
smaller, may be used. No handicap will be allowed for use of guns of a smaller
calibre that 12 gauge. Barrels with attached muzzle brakes, compensators, or other
devices which serve like purposes are prohibited.
1.3 Ammunition: The length of the cartridge shall not exceed standard specifications
of 70mm. Shot load shall not exceed 28gms. Pellets shall be only spherical in
shape, made of lead or lead alloy, and not larger than 2.5mm diameter. Black
powder, tracer, incendiary, or other speciality type cartridges are prohibited.
The Referee or a Jury member may remove an unfired cartridge from a shooter's
gun for inspection.
2. Positions
2.1 The shooter shall stand with both feet entirely within the boundaries of his station.
He may not move from this position until the shooter to his right has shot at a
regular target, except when the shooter has fired at his own regular target on
station 5. When a shooter has completed his shots on station 5 he must
immediately proceed to station 1 being careful that he does not disturb the
shooters who are on the line as he walks past.
3. Range Standards
3.1 General: Ranges which are constructed in the Northern Hemisphere should be
laid out so that the direction of shooting is toward a North to North-easterly area.
This places the sun to the back of the shooter as much as possible during the
shooting day.
3.2 The Trap Pit: A traphouse will be constructed, the top of the roof of which will
be on the same elevation as the surface of the shooting stations. Interior
measurements of the traphouse should be approximately 4 metres from side to
side, 2 metres from front to rear and 2 metres from the floor to the inside of the
roof. These dimensions will allow freedom of movement of working personnel
and sufficient storage space for competition targets.
3.3 The Shooting Stations: The 5 shooting stations will be arranged on an arc
measured and drawn at 15m behind the traphouse, measured from the front edge
and centre of the roof. Station No. 6 to be situated to the left and rear of station
No. 1.
Station No. 3 will be centred on an imaginary line drawn through the centre of the
traphouse to the rear and perpendicular to the front of the house. Stations 1, 2, 4
and 5 will be located on the arc on points measured 3m and 6m to the left and
right of the centre-line, respectively. (Fig. 1).
All shooting stations to be reasonably level and to measure 1m x 1m exactly.
3.4 The Trap (throwing device): The pit shall be equipped with a single, multioscillating
(vertical and horizontal directions), electrically operated trap. It may be
either manually or automatically loaded. Targets must be released either
electrically or microphone-electrically. The trap will be so constructed and
mounted that it will throw at random and continuously changing angles and
elevations, an unbroken target within the vertical and horizontal limits stated in
these rules. The trap shall be fitted with an interrupting device which will make it
impossible to predict the trajectory of the targets.
3.5 Target Distances, Angles and Elevations: The trap shall be so adjusted that in
calm weather:
(a) With a throwing elevation of 2m at 10 metres forward of the pit, a properly
released target will carry 75m (+ or - 5m) if measured over level ground.
(b) The height of the target's path above the level of the traphouse roof and 10
metres forward of the trap shall be at least 1 metre and not exceed 4 metres.
(Fig. 2).
(c) The targets shall be thrown within an area bounded by angles of not less than
30° nor more than 45° right and left of the imaginary centreline drawn through
the centre of the traphouse and station 3. The horizontal angles will be
measured from the front edge of the traphouse. (Fig.1).
(d) The traps must be adjusted and examined by the Jury each day before the
shooting begins. One trial target shall be thrown for each squad before the first
shooter begins his series.
4. Time Limits
4.1 It is the shooter's responsibility to be on the proper layout at the proper time with
sufficient ammunition and necessary equipment.
See Section 5.6 for delays and penalties.
4.2 A shooter must position himself, load his gun and call for his target within 10
seconds after the shooter to his left has fired at a regular target or after the field
referee has given the signal to commence firing in the event of any delay
4.3 After the shooter has called for his target it shall be released immediately, allowing
only for human reaction time to press a button if the release is manual-electrical.
When targets are released by microphone-electrical means a delay factor of 0.2
seconds shall be built into the system to more nearly simulate the human reaction
time when targets are released by hand.
4.4 If shooting is interrupted within a series for more than 5 minutes the squad is
allowed to view one unbroken, regular target before commencing the competition
again.
5. Competition Regulations and Range Procedures
5.1 Squadding: A squad normally consists of 6 competitors drawn at random from
the entry list. In international competitions the shooters of each country are
distributed over the various squads. Drawings are made separately for each day at
a time announced in advance, thereby permitting the delegates of the participating
nations to be present. In the interest of expediency the Jury may complete the
drawing without reference to the shooters. Attendance at the drawing by the
shooters is optional. The Squadding list shall be posted by 6pm each day prior to
the day of the specified match.
5.2 At the beginning of each series the first five shooters in each squad will take
positions on stations 1 to 5, the sixth shooter will remain behind No. 1 post ready
to move in as soon as the shooter on No. 2 post has fired, and so on. When the
shooter on No. 5 post has fired he must immediately move around the rear of the
firing line and return to post No. 1, continuing the rotation until each shooter has
fired at 25 targets. No member of a squad having shot on one station shall proceed
toward the next station in such a way as to interfere with another shooter or the
match personnel.
Targets will be thrown on a completely random basis with each shooter required to
fire at every regular target which is released on his call.
5.3 Once shooting has been started it shall continue without interruption according to
the programme except for mechanical breakdown or other emergencies determined
by the Chief Range Officer and the Jury. In the event of bad weather of obvious
short duration the Chief Range Officer with the Jury's agreement may halt the
shooting temporarily.
5.4 Regular Target: Any target which is thrown on the shooters call according to
Rule 3.5 is deemed a regular target.
Irregular Target: Any target which deviates from the specifications of Rule 3.5
as to angle and elevation and distance shall be deemed to be irregular. A
broken target is not considered an irregular target.
Broken Target: Any target which is not whole. A shooter who receives a broken
target must repeat his shot on a regular target regardless of whether he hit or
missed the broken target if he shot.
5.5 Malfunctions:
(a) Any shotgun which cannot be safely fired, which "doubles" automatically
(double barrelled, pump or semi-automatic) or which fails to fire due to a
mechanical defect is considered to be disabled under this rule. A shotgun
which fires automatically due to a faulty manipulation by the shooter is not
considered disabled. A shotgun once declared disabled is not to be used
again in the same tournament until the problem has been corrected and ruled
safe by a competent armourer and accepted by the Jury.
(b) Malfunction of Firearm: Failure of a gun to function properly due to a
mechanical defect or defective ammunition will be declared a malfunction.
Functional failures caused by improper manual manipulation by the user will
NOT be considered as a malfunction. Failure to place the cartridge in the
proper chamber of the gun is considered the fault of the shooter and is not
allowable as a malfunction.
(c) Malfunction of Ammunition: Failure of ammunition to fire or function
properly, i.e. failure to fire provided firing pin indentation is clearly
noticeable; or firing of primer only, where powder charge has been omitted
or not ignited, which is characterised by a very weak report and absence of
noticeable recoil are characteristics of defective ammunition. Components
of the load remaining in the barrel shall be considered as evidence of
defective ammunition but not a requirement. Wrong size cartridges and
empty shells in the chamber shall not be considered as defective
ammunition.
(d) In all cases of disablement or malfunction of a gun or ammunition, and upon
the decision of the Referee that this has not been caused by the shooter
himself and that the gun is not repairable quickly enough, the shooter has the
option of using another gun if one can be obtained without delay (within 3
minutes after the Referee has declared the gun disabled). If not, the shooter
may leave the squad and finish the remaining shots of the round at a time
decided by the Referee or when a vacancy occurs and the shooter obtains the
permission of the Referee.
The shooter is allowed a total of two (2) malfunctions per round of 25
targets regardless of whether he has changed his gun or ammunition.
The third and subsequent malfunctions of either gun or ammunition are
considered excessive. Each regular target attempted thereafter on which an
excessive malfunction occurs shall be declared "LOST"
5.6 Penalties:
(a) It is the responsibility of the shooter to be present on the proper field at the
proper time with all his equipment and ready to shoot. If a shooter is not
present on the line when his name is called the Referee will announce the
shooters name loudly three (3) times within one (1) minute. If the shooter
does not appear within this time the shooting will commence without him.
The shooter will be marked absent on the official score sheet. He may be
permitted to shoot the missed round at a time and on the field decided by the
Chief Range Officer with the agreement of the Jury. The shooter will be
penalised with a deduction of 3 targets from the result of a late fired round.
(b) All other violations of these rules shall incur a warning on the first offence
in around of 25 targets. The second and subsequent violations in the same
round shall incur a deduction of one hit from the result of that round for
each violation
(c) Other penalties according to specific rule.
5.7 Unsportsmanlike conduct, or deliberate attempts to evade the spirit of these rules
may incur a warning, a penalty, or elimination from the competition based upon
the decision of the Jury or the Jury of Appeal if one has been appointed for the
competition.
6. Dead, Lost and No-bird Targets
6.1 A target is declared "DEAD" when it is thrown and shot at according to the rules
and at least one visible piece is broken from it by the shot.
6.2 A target is declared "LOST" when:
(a) it is not hit during its flight.
(b) it is only "dusted" (no visible piece falls off).
(c) the shooter does not fire at a regular target for which he has called.
(d) the shooter is not able to fire his gun because he has not released the safety,
forgotten to load, or failed to cock his gun.
(e) the first shot is a miss and the shooter fails to fire his second shot because he
forgot to place a second cartridge in the gun or to release the stop on the
magazine of an automatic shotgun, or because the safety has slipped back to the
"safe" position by the recoil of the first shot.
(f) a malfunction of the gun or the ammunition occurs and the shooter opens the
gun or touches the safety before the Referee has examined the gun. Rule 5.5.
(g) it is the 3rd or subsequent malfunction of the gun or the ammunition by the
same shooter in a 25 target round. Rule 5.5 (d).
6.3 A "NO BIRD" is to be declared and another target allowed, PROVIDED THE
COMPETITOR HAS NOT FIRED:
(a) if the target is thrown before the shooter has called.
(b) if the target is not thrown immediately after his call and the shooter lowers his
gun. Rule 4
(c) if the target is irregular.
In these cases if the shooter fires at the target the result shall be scored, subject to
the Referees ruling. Rule 8.1 (c).
6.4 In case of malfunction or misfire not caused by the shooter himself another target
shall be allowed. Rule 5.5:
(a) if the competitors first shot misfires and he does not fire the second shot. (If
the second shot is fired, the result is scored).
(b) if the first shot is a miss and the competitors second shot misfires (Rule 6.2e).
In this case the first shot on the new target must miss the target and the shooter
must attempt to hit the target with his second shot. If the target is hit with the
first shot it is scored "LOST".
(Note: a competitor using a double-barrelled gun with a "selective" single trigger
may be requested, before the beginning of a competition, to make a declaration as
to which barrel he is going to fire first. If he fails to make this declaration he
forfeits the advantage of a new target according to this rule. Also see Rule 6.2f)
6.5 The Referee will declare a "NO BIRD" and allow another target if:
(a) the shooter has been materially disturbed, such as being struck by an piece of
target from a neighbouring range, sudden appearance of trap boys, sudden and
unnatural loud noises at the moment that he has called for his target. If the
shooter fires at a regular target he may not claim interference or disturbance
(See Note below).
(b) another competitor has fired at his target.
(Note: The Referee shall consult with the assistant referees if a repeat target is to
be thrown under this rule and he shall make the final decision.)
6.6 If both shots are discharged simultaneously or in unusually quick succession the
result shall be scored regardless of whether the target was hit or missed.
6.7 A shot is counted as not fired if:
(a) a competitor shoots out of turn. Rule 5.6
(b) a shot is discharged before the competitor has called for his target; however if
the target is thrown and the competitor fires his second shot, the result must be
scored. (Note: If the shooter has a malfunction on the first shot and fires his
second shot the result shall be scored.)
7. Range Controls
7.1 All guns shall be handled with the greatest care. Conventional double barrel guns
are to be carried with the breech open. Magazine guns are to be carried with the
breech open and the muzzle pointing straight upward or down at the ground.
Straps and slings are not allowed on guns in this competition. When a shooter is
not carrying his gun it must be placed in a gun rack, with the muzzle up after
having ascertained that the gun is clear. No individual is allowed to touch
another's gun without the owners permission.
7.2 All guns must be carried open when moving between stations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on
the firing line. When moving from station 5 to station 1 the gun must be carried
OPEN AND COMPLETELY UNLOADED.
7.3 Shooting and sighting practice may be done only on the shooting stations and
before the Referee has given the order to commence. It is expressly prohibited to
place a gun to the shoulder and practice swinging behind the firing lines. Shots
may be fired only when it is the shooters turn and after his target has been thrown.
It is forbidden to sight at another competitors target.
7.4 It is forbidden to sight or shoot at live birds or animals.
7.5 Cartridges may not be placed into any part of the gun until the shooter is standing
on his station facing the trap with the gun pointed towards the flight area and the
Referee has given permission to load. Guns must not be loaded with more than
two cartridges. A shooter is not allowed to close his gun before it is his turn to
shoot.
7.6 If the target is not thrown immediately after the shooter has called, the shooter is to
signify that he refuses the target by quickly lowering the gun from his shoulder.
Rule 4.3.
7.7 The shooter is not allowed to turn from the shooting station before his gun is
opened. When a broken target is thrown or the shooting is interrupted, the gun
shall be opened. No gun shall be closed until the order to continue has been given.
7.8 In the event of misfire or other malfunction, the shooter shall remain standing with
the gun pointed to the target flight area without opening the gun or touching the
safety until the Referee has inspected the gun. Rule 5.5 and 6.4b.
7.9 Shooting shall be carried out without interruption according to the programme.
The shooter shall restrict his conversion to calling for his targets, report "ready"
when asked, or signify a protest if necessary, and answer the questions of the
Referee.
7.10 The Referee or his assistants, under the supervision of the Jury, are responsible to
see that the safety precautions are adhered to, that unauthorised persons are
expelled from the range and that the puller and the assistant referees have an
unobstructed view of all the shooting stations and the area in front of the trap pit.
8. Tournament Official
8.1 Referee:
(a) The shooting on each layout shall be conducted by a Referee with wide
experience in clay pigeon shooting and having a sound knowledge of shotguns.
His main function is to make immediate decisions regarding hit, missed or nobird
targets, and he must give a distinct signal for each missed target.
(b) The Referee shall be aided by two assistant (side) referees. Assistant referees
are normally appointed in rotation from among the competitors, preferably
from those who have shot in the preceding squad. All competitors are
obligated, upon request, to function as assistant referees. The Referee may
accept substitutes at his own discretion. The primary function of the assistant
referee is to give, immediately after a shot, a signal by raising his hand or
small flag, if he considers a target "lost". The assistant referee closest to the
large field score board is responsible for checking the entry of results during
the shooting.
(c) The Referee is responsible for making immediate and accurate decisions
regarding "no-bird", repeat targets, "dead" or "lost" targets, irregular targets or
other conditions. Whenever possible the Referee shall call or signal a "nobird"
before the shooter has fired his first shot.
(d) The Referee shall make all decisions himself. If any of the assistant referees is
in disagreement, it is his duty to signal and advise the Referee of this. The
Referee may then make his final decision.
(e) Decisions of the Referee may be appealed against insofar as the interpretation
and application of the rules is concerned. The decision of the Referee is final
insofar as hit, missed or no-bird targets are concerned. These latter decisions
may not be appealed against.
8.2 Juries: A Jury consisting of no less than five (5) persons shall be appointed and
posted up before shooting starts at all Registered events for the purposes of
supervising the running of the event, checking the target settings, carrying out the
duties and responsibilities allocated to them as per the rule book for the discipline
concerned and to make all decisions directly relating to the fairness of the
competition.
Whenever possible the appointed persons shall be highly experienced in the role
of a Juror and have deep knowledge of all technical aspects and rules of the
discipline being shot. The Jury must include a representative of the shoot
organiser, a senior representative of the shooters, and if possible a qualified referee
and/or the most experienced of the persons available.
A Minimum quorum of 3 Jury members will be required for all decisions.
8.3 It is the duty of the Jury to:
(a) verify that the shooting ranges and organisation plans are according to these
regulations and the approved programme.
(b) ensure that the competition rules and the programme are followed by the
operating personnel and participants.
(c) Make decisions in cases where situations cannot be resolved by the Referee or
organisers.
(d) Make decisions regarding penalties and sanctions against competitors who do
not adhere to the rules and conduct themselves in an unsportmanlike manner.
(e) Arrange a working agreement with the other Jury members whereby at least 2
members of the Jury will be present on the ranges at all times, one of whom
should be within immediate calling distance of any Referee.
8.4 The Jury's decisions cannot be appealed against unless a Jury of Appeal has been
appointed for the competition
9. Scoring
9.1 Scoring is done officially on each layout for each round of 25 targets based on the
decision of the Referee. In UIT supervised events where world records may be
established scores will be kept on each field by three separate persons, two of
whom will post on permanent cards and be positioned on each side of the field to
the rear of the firing line while the third person will maintain a larger board for the
benefit of the shooters and the spectators. Each scorer will mark his card or board
independently. At the conclusion of each round the results should be identical. If
there is any discrepancy in one score keepers posting then the two which are alike
shall be the official score. If none of the posted results compare then the large
public board will be the deciding one. It is the duty of the assistant referee nearest
the large board to ensure that the scorer is posting the Referees decisions correctly.
9.2 After a squad completes a stage and the scores have been verified the Referee and
each shooter must sign or initial the sheet so that it may be quickly returned to the
Results Office. Failure to sign the sheet before it leaves the layout eliminates all
right to protest of scores which are posted as final results from the sheets.
9.3 The decision of the Referee is final as to whether a target is "dead", "lost" or "nobird".
The Referee, when in doubt, should consult the assistant referees then make
his final decision.
10. Protest
10.1 If a shooter or his team captain disagrees with a Referees decision, protest may be
initiated by raising an arm or otherwise signalling the Referee and say "protest" or
"appeal". The Referee shall then interrupt the shooting temporarily and, after
having heard the protest and the opinion of the assistant referees, will make his
decision. There is no appeal against a decision on a hit, missed or no-bird target,
in which case the Referees decision is final. It is not permitted to retrieve clay
targets from the field in order to determine whether or not they have been hit.
Team Captains and Jury members will not interfere unnecessarily with the Field
Referees.
10.2 If the shooter or the team captain is still not satisfied with the final decision of the
Referee they shall not delay the shooting. They must make a notation on the score
card that the shooter is continuing under protest which must be resolved by the
competition Jury.
10.3 Protest to the Competition Jury must be made in writing and must be accompanied
by £10.00. If the protest is upheld the money will be returned: if the protest is
denied the money will be turned over to the organiser.
10.4 If a Jury of Appeal has been appointed for the competition, and, the shooter or
team captain is dissatisfied with the decision of the Competition Jury he may
submit the details in writing to the Jury of Appeal. If a Jury of Appeal has not
been appointed for a competition the Competition Jury is the last resort.
