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TECHNICAL RULES FOR "NATIONAL SKEET"

SQUADDING
4.00 Shooting should normally be conducted in squads of five competitors. If it becomes necessary, squads of less than five members may be formed but squads of more than six, must be avoided for control and safety reasons.

SHOOTING ORDER
4.01 Competitors will shoot in the order their names appear on the score sheet, and shoot each of the seven stations in turn according to the sequence below.

SEQUENCE
4.02 Targets will be shot at in the following sequence:-

• Station 1  Two singles and a double
• Station 2  Two singles and a double
• Station 3  Two singles
• Station 4  Two singles and a double (the shooter must nominate the first target of the double to be shot at)
• Station 5  Two singles
• Station 6  Two singles and a double
• Station 7  Two singles and a double

4.03 The first target to be shot at in singles on stations 1 through 6 will be the target from the high house, but on station 7 it must be the low house target.

4.04 The first target to be shot at in Doubles on stations 1 and 2 will be the high house, and on stations 6 and 7 shall be the low house, with the shooter nominating the first target of the double to be shot at on station 4.

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4.05 Each shooter shall complete their shooting on each stand before leaving that stand and not move to the next stand before all those on the squad have completed the sequence on that stand.

OPTION
4.06 The shooter after having hit every target in the required sequence on stations 1 through 7 shall have the "option" of a single target from either High or Low house. Otherwise the first loss in the round will be repeated and the result of the shot will be recorded as the twenty-fifth shot.

LOADING OF CARTRIDGES
4.07 During the shooting of singles it is compulsory to load two cartridges.  Refer to rule 4.08 also on this point.

REPEAT TARGET
4.08 A "repeat" target is a target called for, following the first target missed in singles or doubles during a round, or when a Referee has called "No Bird". If the referee calls for a repeat target to be taken on the first of the two singles then the competitor must break the gun at that point and insert another cartridge. At all other times when a repeat target is called for by the referee (first target lost in a round) only one cartridge is to be loaded.  The Referee at their discretion, and for the safe conduct of the competition, shall at all times be able to override the "two cartridge" rule to allow wheelchair / severely handicapped shooters to load only one cartridge for singles.

VIEWING TARGETS
4.09 At the beginning of each round when the squad is assembled at station 1, they shall be entitled to observe one regular target from each trap house. A competitor may also ask to have one regular target thrown after each irregular target or trap breakdown.
 
SCORING
4.10 One point shall be given for each target hit and zero for a target that has not been hit. 

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TARGET DISTANCES & TRAJECTORIES
4.11 Both traps shall be set in calm conditions (when possible) so that a single target shall emerge and follow that which is described below.

HIGH HOUSE
4.12 At a point 91cm beyond the station marker 1 (measured along the base chord extended), and 3.05m above the level of station 1. 

LOW HOUSE
4.13 At a point 91cm beyond station marker 7 (measured along the base chord extended), and 76cm from the base chord extended (measured on the side of the target crossing point), and 1.07m above the level of station 7. 

4.14 The targets shall fly a distance of 50m to 52m and pass within 45cm of a point 4.57m above the ground known as the Target Crossing Point (see layout page 65).

4.15 Where the Referee is satisfied that a variation in target trajectory due to wind or some other unavoidable condition, is such that the equity of the competition can not be maintained, a request may be made [only by the referee] to the Jury to reset the targets.

REGULAR TARGET
4.16 One which having been set as in the rules above, and appears instantly when the shooter calls.

IRREGULAR TARGET
4.17 An unbroken target, which has not conformed to the definition of a regular target.

4.18 Two targets thrown simultaneously in singles.

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4.19 Targets thrown broken: under no circumstances shall the result of firing upon a broken target be counted.  

REGULAR  DOUBLES
4.20 A regular target thrown from each trap house simultaneously.

IRREGULAR DOUBLES
4.21 If either or both targets, of a double are thrown as irregular targets.

4.22 If only one target is thrown.

SHOOTING RULES
4.23 One shot only may be fired at each target during its flight.

SHOOTING POSITION
4.24 Competitors must stand with both feet entirely within the boundary of the shooting station, the gun position is optional prior to firing, but at the point of firing the gun must be seen to be in the shoulder.

4.25 When the shooter is ready to shoot they should call loudly "pull" [or some other verbal command] at which point the target shall be thrown instantly.

NO BIRD
4.26 Whether or not the competitor has fired, under the following circumstances "No Bird" shall be declared and another target thrown:

4.27 If the target breaks on throwing.

4.28 If the target is thrown from the wrong trap house.

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4.29 If two targets are thrown simultaneously in singles.

4.30 If the target is of a colour manifestly different from that of the others used in the competition.

4.31 If either target in doubles is irregular.

4.32 In the following circumstances and only if the competitor has not fired, will a "No Bird" be declared and another target thrown:

4.33 When the target is thrown before the shooter has called.

4.34 When the target flutters, has insufficient velocity or takes an irregular course on leaving the trap. (Referees opinion only)

4.35 When the shooter does not conform to "Shooting Position" and has not been warned in the round.

4.36 No claim of an alleged "quick" or "slow pull" will be accepted unless the Referee has distinctly called 2No Bird" prior to the firing of the shot in the event of the "quick pull", or prior to the emergence of the target in the event of the "slow pull". If the shooter fires, the result shall be scored.

4.37 In the case of a misfire or other allowable malfunction of gun or ammunition through no fault of the shooter, "No Bird" shall be declared and another target[s] thrown.

4.38 The Referee may also permit a new target to be thrown if:

4.39 The shooter has been visibly distracted. (See Balk in General Rules)

4.40 Another shooter fires at the same target.

4.41 The Referee cannot for some reason decide whether the target was hit or missed.

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4.42 The Referee will not declare a "No Bird" if the shooter misses a target for reasons other than those covered by the rules regarding "No Bird".

4.43 The foregoing Rules also apply to doubles and will be interpreted as follows:

4.44 The double will be declared "No Bird" and the competitor must shoot a regular double to determine the results of both targets if:

4.45 A malfunctioning gun or ammunition prevents the shooter from firing at the first target.

4.46 Either target of the double is irregular, or the shooter does not fire.

4.47 In the event of the shooter not firing the Referee must determine why the competitor has not fired and give direction on how to proceed.

4.48 The shooter misses their first target and it collides with the second target or if fragments from the first target break the second target.

4.49 The Referee prevents the shooter from shooting their second shot because of a violation of General Rule 1.09.  If the shooter has already been warned of the same violation during the same round, the result of the first shot will be recorded and the second target will be declared "Lost".

4.50 When shooting at a pair of targets, and having shot at the first target, in the event of the second traget being called as a 'No Traget' the result of the first shot will be established.  The pair will then be shot at again to determine the result of the second target only.  Should the first target of any pair be a 'No Target' then the pair will be declared as 'nothing established' and shot at again.

TARGETS WILL BE DECLARED "LOST" WHEN;
4.51 Upon the third and subsequent malfunction of the gun or faulty ammunition in the same round.

4.52 If the shooter (without legitimate reason) does not fire at a regular double both targets will be declared "Lost".

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4.53 If the shooter (without legitimate reason) does not fire at the second target of a regular double, the result of the first target will be recorded and the second target declared "Lost".

4.54 If, in a regular double, the first target is lost and the second shot cannot be fired because of a malfunction of the gun or ammunition the first target is scored "Lost" and the double repeated to determine the result of the second shot only.

4.55 If, in the course of shooting at doubles, both shots are discharged simultaneously, the double is declared "No Bird" and repeated as a regular double to determine the results of both shots. (See Malfunctions in General Rules.)

4.56 If the shooter breaks both targets with the same shot, the double will be declared "No Bird" and repeated. The shooter is allowed two attempts on one station. On the third attempt if the same situation occurs, the double will be scored "Scored and Lost".

4.57 If in shooting at a regular double, the shooter misses the first target and accidentally hits the second target, the result of the first target will be scored "lost". The shooter will then be asked to shoot again at a regular pair of doubles to determine the result of the second shot only.  The shooter is allowed two attempts on one station.  On the third attempt if the same situation occurs, the double will be scored "Lost and Lost".

4.58 If a regular double is shot in inverse order, both targets will be scored "Lost".

4.59 The target is not broken or is hit outside the shooting boundary.

TARGETS SHOT AT WILL NOT BE SCORED IF:
4.60 The shooter fires out of turn.

4.61 The shot is discharged involuntarily before the shooter has called for their target.  Accidental discharges that are caused by the competitor may be reason for penalty or elimination from a competition for unsafe gun or gun handling.

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RULES OF CONDUCT
4.62 No member of a squad shall advance to the shooting mark until it is their turn to shoot and the previous shooter has left the shooting mark. 

4.63 No member of the squad having shot one station shall proceed towards the next station in such a way as to interfere with another shooter.

DISABLED SHOOTERS
4.64 The Referee at their discretion, and for the safe conduct of the competition, shall at all times be able to override the "two cartridge" rule to allow wheelchair / severely handicapped shooters to load only one cartridge for singles.

SLOW or FAST PULL
4.65 If the target is not thrown instantly the shooter is to denote that they refuse the target by remaining in the "Ready" position and indicate to the referee the reason for refusal.  (The Referee shall be the sole judge of determining a slow or fast pull.)

4.66 After a shot has been fired or after a regular target has been thrown without the shot being fired the competitor must not turn away from the target flight area before opening their gun. When an irregular target (no bird) is thrown or the shooting interrupted, the gun shall be opened. It is not to be closed again until permission is given by the referee for shooting to continue.

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4.67 In the case of a misfire or other malfunction of gun or ammunition the shooter shall remain standing with the gun pointed to the flight area without opening the gun or touching the safety catch until the Referee has inspected the gun.

4.68 The shooting shall be carried out without interruption. Shooters shall indicate that they are ready and call for their targets, or indicate a protest if necessary.  The shooter shall answer any of the Referee's questions.

4.69 The Referee, under the supervision of the Jury shall see that these regulations and safety precautions are adhered to.

PENALTIES, ETC.
4.70 If whilst shooting at singles a competitor opens the gun after shooting at the first target, the Referee will in the first instance give a warning. On the second and subsequent occasions within a round of twenty-five targets, the Referee will declare the next target lost, and it will not be shot at. If however it is the first target declared lost in that round, a repeat target will be called for and shot at.

4.71 If when shooting at singles a competitor deliberately shoots at the same target twice, the result of both shots will be declared lost regardless of whether the target was hit or not. If this is the first target lost in a round a repeat target will be called for. The referee will warn the competitor that any further repetition of that action will see them disqualified from the event by the Jury.

TIES
4.72 If two or more shooters obtain equal scores, precedence for the first three places in championships (and in other competitions where this has been announced in the program) are decided by tie shooting in twenty-five bird rounds until a difference in scores occurs. 

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4.73 If after two rounds (i.e. fifty targets) a tie still exists, all tied competitors will go into a sudden death shoot-off. 

4.74 They will shoot on a sudden death basis on stations 3,4 and 5 to determine a winner.  Each shooter will shoot at one pair of targets on each of the stands with each target to count.  The shooting order will be:
          Station 3: 1 x pair, high target first
          Station 4: 1 x pair, high target first
          Station 5: 1 x pair, low target first
          Station 4: 1 x pair, low target first
And then back to the beginning of the rotation until the winner is established.

4.75 The round or rounds shall be shot according to these rules in such a way, however, that the squads may consist of less than five. Unless the tie shooting is to be held at a pre-arranged time, the shooters involved shall keep in touch with the management, so that the tie shooting can be carried out at the latest thirty minutes after the shooting proper has finished.

Team Ties
4.76 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 two pairs of targets from station 4. (High/Low, Low /High), 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 the same sequence of targets from station 4. Should a tie still exist after they have shot, the team members numbered "three" shall then shoot at the same sequence of targets from station 4. Should a tie still exist after all three members of each team have shot then the same procedure will be carried out until the tie is broken.

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