Just how strict are the rules in FITASC sporting?
Only with a clear understanding will you be able to enjoy the event and avoid potentially embarassing situations, advises John Bidwell
Seasoned campaigner John Bidwell prepares to shoot.
I would urge anyone who’s thinking of shooting this way to read the FITASC Sporting rules here.
The referee will keep you and the rest of your squad within the rules on everything from gun position to no birds, gun malfunctions and lots more besides.
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What does “gun down” mean in relation to the gun being out of the shoulder in FITASC?
To answer the question (and quote rule 3.1.): “Shooters must adopt the ready position, i.e. standing with both feet within the limits of the shooting stand. The heel of the gun stock touches the body.
“This line is 25 cm (9.85″) below the axis of the shoulder and in parallel with this axis (see diagram below). Shooters must remain in this position until the target is released and is visible. ”
The gun down position for Olympic Skeet shooters is much lower than this!
A beginners’ guide to FITASC clay pigeon shooting
FITASC sporting is a great leveller. If there’s any weakness in your clay shooting technique, be it with your gun…
There are also strict rules on using hearing protection and eye protection. Which of course apply to all clayshooters.
Some FITASC sporting rules you need to know
- Shooting at live animals is not allowed
- The targets are: normal standard targets, rabbit, midi, super mini , battue, flash and zz targets
- The targets should be coloured to stand out clearly from the background
- Sporting layouts must comply with hunting ethics and shooting distances
- Guns must not be tested on the shooting stand
- Shooters must not shoulder their guns until the target appears.
- Shooters must fire with their guns shouldered on all targets, including rabbits
The definition of Sporting is also given by the FITASC body
“Sporting is a shooting discipline reproducing hunting situations and practised with a hunting weapon and artificial targets. The discipline uses all the features of a terrain and artificial targets of different types that are launched in order to highlight the shooters’ technical and sporting skills. The layouts reproduce hunting trajectories with varied levels of difficulty.
The organisation of a sporting layout must take into consideration the safety of all those present, the protection of the flora and management of the environment.”
