2013 Rule Changes and Updates What the New Rules Mean for You BY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT WANDA JEWELL
The new USA Shooting (USAS) Rulebook is available and questions are being asked about rules changes and subsequent interpretations. In order to provide clarity on the updated rules, USA Shooting compiled a list of frequently asked questions.
The layout of my club and the local rules won’t allow us to conduct a match in block time. Does this mean the club cannot host a PTO?
No, USAS is adopting the new time limits but has broken them down for hanging single or mul- tiple ten-bull targets. Please see the adapted time limits at the back of the rifl e section of the USAS rulebook.
Matches (with the exception of the 2013 National Junior Olym- pic Shooting Championships).
My club has several shooting jackets that we use for our program that have a horizontal seam under the shooting elbow. Does our club need to replace all these jackets?
No, USAS did not adopt that rule.
Will the new rules for shooting boots be applied in USAS sanctioned competitions?
The rules about not wearing boots in the prone position will be applied. Boots with soles that do not conform to the new rules will be allowed.
Do we really need to take the seat pad from our shooting pants?
The new fi nal format is very interest- ing but our club may not be able to duplicate it for our PTOs. Is it nec- essary for conducting USA Shooting sanctioned matches?
Do I really have to put a piece of plastic in my barrel?
Yes, USAS has adopted the ISSF rule for “safety fl ags.” It is a safety issue and will be en- forced at all matches conducted or sanctioned by USAS. Former National Rifl e Coach Dave John- son suggests, “Be careful to not throw the safety fl ag on the fl oor when you remove it from the bar- rel, protect it from contaminants; and before you put it back in your barrel, take a clean clean- ing patch and wipe it down.”
Will our club need to score all air rifl e and prone competitions to the tenth of a point even though we are using paper targets?
No, USAS will not be adopting the decimal scoring for air rifl e and prone competitions. It is not convenient for timely score deliv- ery in paper target matches and decimal scoring is not yet sup- ported in most electronic targets. Should a National Coach wish to conduct a selection match with decimal scoring, it will be clearly stated in the match program. USAS is also not changing the National Record format to ac- commodate decimal scoring.
No, fi nals are not required in USAS sanctioned matches. USAS would like to invite any club or organization that may want to try it to do so and give us your input. The new fi nals format will be used in USAS National
Yes, USAS has adopted this rule. The pants will not be damaged by carefully taking the seat pad off. The pad that is taken off can then be used for the kneeling pad.
Does the kneeling pad need to pass through equipment control?
Yes, the kneeling pad has speci- fi cations listed in the rulebook that will need to be checked. Initial checks will be courtesy checks until all athletes have had a chance to work with the kneeling pad.