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TECHNICAL RULES FOR "AUTOMATIC BALL TRAP"

SHOOTING POSITIONS
7.00 The shooter shall stand with both feet entirely within the boundaries of the station and may not move from this position until the shooter to their right has shot at a regular target, except when the shooter has fired at their own regular target on station 5. When a shooter has completed their shooting on station 5 they must immediately proceed to station 1 behind the shooting line being careful that they do not disturb the shooters who are on the shooting stands as they walk past.

TRAP PIT
7.01  A trap house 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 trap house 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.

SHOOTING STATIONS 
7.02 The 5 shooting stations will be arranged on a straight line measured and drawn at 15m behind the trap house, 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.

7.03 Station No. 3 will be centred on an imaginary line drawn through the centre of the  trap house to the rear and perpendicular to the front of the house. Stations 1, 2, 4 and 5 will be located on points measured 3m and 6m to the left and right of the centre-line, respectively. All shooting stations must be level and to measure 1m x 1m exactly

THE TRAP
7.04 The pit shall be equipped with a single, multi-oscillating (vertical and horizontal directions), electrically operated trap.  It may be either manually or automatically loaded.  Targets must be released either electrically (button) or Acoustically.  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.

TARGET DISTANCES, ANGLES and ELEVATIONS
7.05 The trap shall be so adjusted that in calm weather whenever possible, 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.

7.06 The height of the target's path above the level of the trap house roof and 10 metres forward of the trap shall be at least 1 metre and not exceed 4 metres.

7.07 The targets shall be thrown within an area bounded by angles of not less than 30° or more than 45° right and left of the imaginary centre line drawn through the centre of the trap house and station 3.  The horizontal angles will be measured from the front edge of the trap house.

7.08 The traps must be adjusted and examined by the Jury each day before the shooting begins. The trap will be set to throw at random continuously changing angles and elevations, One trial target shall be thrown on each separate layout for every squad before the first shooter begins. (Refer to Rule 1.36)

TIME LIMITS
7.09 It is the shooter's responsibility to be on the designated layout at the appointed time with sufficient ammunition and necessary equipment.

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7.10 A shooter must position him/herself, load their gun and call for their target within 10 seconds after the shooter to their 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

7.11 After the shooter has called for a 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 acoustically any built in delay should be switched off in order that the target is released immediately.

7.12 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.

SQUADDING
7.13 A squad normally consists of 6 competitors drawn at random from the entry list. Drawings are made separately for each day at a time announced in advance. 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 Squading list shall be posted by 6pm each day prior to the day of the event.

7.14 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 they 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.

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7.15 Targets will be thrown on a completely random basis with each shooter required to fire at every regular target that is released on their call.

7.16 Once shooting has been started it shall continue without interruption except for mechanical breakdown or other emergencies determined by the Referee and the Jury. In the event of bad weather of obvious short duration the Referee with the Jury’s agreement may halt the shooting temporarily.

REGULAR TARGET
7.17 Any target, which is thrown on the shooters call according to   Rule 7.05 - 7.08, is deemed a regular target.

IRREGULAR TARGET
7.18 Any target, which deviates from the specifications of Rule 7.05 - 7.08 as to angle and elevation and distance shall be deemed to be irregular. 

SCORED
7.19 A target is scored and the score sheet marked accordingly when it is thrown and shot at according to the rules and at least one visible piece is broken from it by the shot.

LOST
A target is declared lost when:

7.20 It is not hit during its flight.

7.21 It is only "dusted" (no visible piece falls off).

7.22 The shooter does not fire at a regular target that has been called for.

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7.23 The shooter is not able to fire their gun because they have not released the safety, forgotten to load, or failed to cock their gun.

7.24 The first shot is a miss and the shooter fails to fire their second shot because they 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.

7.25 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.

7.26 It is the 3rd or subsequent malfunction of the gun or the ammunition by the same shooter in a 25 target round.

NO BIRD
7.27 A "NO BIRD" is to be declared and another target allowed, PROVIDED THE  COMPETITOR HAS NOT FIRED:

7.28 If the target is thrown before the shooter has called.

7.29 If the target is not thrown immediately after a call and the shooter lowers their gun.

7.30 If the target is irregular.

7.31 In these cases if the shooter fires at the target the result shall be scored, subject to the Referees ruling.

7.32 In the following cases of malfunction or misfire not caused by the shooter another target shall be allowed:

7.33 If the competitors first shot misfires and they do not fire the second shot. (If the second shot is fired, the result is scored).

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7.34 If the first shot is a miss and the competitors second shot misfires. In this case the first shot at the new target must miss the target and the shooter must attempt to hit the target with their second shot. If the target is hit with the first shot it is scored "LOST"

The Referee will declare a "NO BIRD" and allow another target if:

7.35 The shooter has been materially disturbed. [See baulk in general rules] If the shooter fires at a regular target they may not claim interference or disturbance.

7.36 Another competitor has fired at their target.

7.37 If both shots are discharged simultaneously, providing it is not the third or subsequent [see malfunctions in general rules]
 
A no bird is called if:

7.38 A competitor shoots out of turn.

7.39 A shot is discharged before the competitor has called for their target; however if the target is thrown and the competitor fires their second shot, the result must be scored. (Note:  If the shooter has a malfunction on the first shot and fires their second shot the result shall be scored.)

RULES OF CONDUCT
7.40 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.

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7.41 Shooting and sighting practice may be done only on the shooting stations numbered one to five 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 their target has been thrown. It is forbidden to sight at another competitor’s target

7.42 Guns must not be loaded with more than two cartridges. A shooter is not allowed to close their gun before it is their turn to shoot.

7.43 If the target is not thrown immediately after the shooter has called, the shooter is to signify that they refuse the target by quickly lowering the gun from their shoulder.

7.44 The shooter is not allowed to turn from the shooting station before their 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.

7.45 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 catch until the Referee has inspected the gun. Rule 5.5 and 6.4b.

7.46 Shooting shall be carried out without interruption according to the program. Shooters shall restrict their conversation to calling for their targets, report "ready" when asked, or signify a protest if necessary, and answer the questions of the Referee.

7.47 The Referee and 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.

REFEREEING
7.48 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.

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(7.48 cont.)
Referees may accept substitutes at their discretion. The primary function of the assistant referee is to give, immediately after a shot, a signal by raising their hand or small flag, if they consider a target "lost" The assistant referee closest to the large field scoreboard is responsible for checking the entry of results during the shooting.

7.49 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 "no-bird" before the shooter has fired their first shot.

7.50 The Referee shall make all decisions. If any of the assistant referees is in disagreement, it is their duty to signal and advise the Referee of this. The Referee may then make a final decision.

SCORING
7.51 Scoring is done officially on each layout for each round of 25 targets based on the decision of the Referee. Scores will be kept on each field by two separate persons, one of whom will post on permanent cards. The second person will maintain a larger board for the benefit of the shooters and the spectators. Scorers will mark their card or board independently. At the conclusion of each round the results should be identical. If there is any discrepancy in the scoring records 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.

TIES
7.52  All those involved in a tie break will shoot a standard full round, with normal scoring to establish final positions Each of the tied shooters will occupy a separate shooting station in an order decided by the jury by the drawing of lots. If after the initial round a tie still exists, those shooters involved will shoot a further full round under the same conditions to reach a decision.

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7.53 If after these two shoot off rounds the shooters are still tied, they will enter into a sudden death one target shoot off until the tie is broken. Competitors must shoot at the same number of targets and may only fire one cartridge at each target. Nothing may be loaded in the remaining barrel.

TEAM TIES
7.54 If two or more teams obtain the same scores the captain of each team will nominate three members of the team to shoot in a sudden death shoot off. The captain may include himself/herself as one of the three. The selected team members will be numbered "one", "two" and "three". To start the shoot off all of the selected team members numbered "one" will shoot at a single target from peg "3" in turn, in a team order decided by the tossing of a coin. Should a tie still exist after they have shot, the team members numbered "two" shall then shoot at a single target in turn. Should a tie still exist after they have shot, the team members numbered "three" shall then shoot at a single target in turn. Should a tie still exist after all three team members have shot, then the same procedure shall be carried out until the tie is broken. Team members may only fire one cartridge at each target with nothing loaded in the remaining barrel.

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