TargetTalk

Can anyone explain the rationale is behind this rule which prohibits any competitor from either

1) Placing any substance on the floor of a shooting position under any circumstances &;
2) Wiping the floor of a shooting position without the permission of a range official

6.3.6.3.5 It is prohibited to put any substance on the floor of the Firing Point. It is prohibited to wipe the firing point without permission.
The intent is to stop shooters (or coaches) adding non-slip substances on the floor of the firing point:
1/ venue operators tend to get stroppy about anyshooter (or coach) pouring cola on the floor to make it 'sticky'
2/ and equally stroppy when after being stoppoed from using cola they pour soft drink powder mix on the floor for the same purpose.

If any shooter finds the firing point floor surfaces too slippery, this should be brought to the attention of the Technical Delegate and the organisers and dealt with through official channels.

Spencer

Thanks Spencer I thought something along those lines. Some pistol shooters have chalked their foot positions on the floor in the past. Is that practice going to fall foul of the rule since it now applies to all disciplines?

I have seen many rifle shooters chalk out their prefereed feet positions - it's not only a pistol thing.

I would not see a chalk or target patch on the firing point floor as a substance within the intent of the rule - but I am only one Judge.

How Juries end up applying this rule will be interesting.

Spencer

So you just have to put the cola on your shoes prior to getting to your firing point than it's all ok. It seems like one more rule to solve a problem where there really wasn't one.

The problem is the rule is to vague or broad. It clearly states "any substance" yet here we have an official saying chalk is ok. But "any Substance" should include chalk, water, cola, pellets, brass, targets, rulers, your stand ect. If they wanted to exclude sticky substances they should have said sticky substances.