10/6/2014

1

GHSA RIFLERY COACHES

RULES CLINIC

TURN YOUR SPEAKERS ON

1.3 PURPOSE OF RULES

“- - - All athletes, team leaders and competition

officials must be familiar with these Rules and

ensure that they are enforced.”

This is even more important in GHSA – coaches

officiate competitions at home.

GHSA riflery coaches need to study & frequently

review rules more than most other coaches.

1.4 INTENT AND SPIRIT OF RULES

“--- No decision may be

made by a Match Director, Range Officer or

Jury that is contrary to these Rules.”

10/6/2014

2

# 1 # 1 # 1 # 1

PRIORITYPRIORITYPRIORITYPRIORITY

MUST BE MUST BE MUST BE MUST BE

SAFETYSAFETYSAFETYSAFETY

3 Position Air Rifle

Estimated

250,000 – 300,000

Youth Participants in USA

6 known injuries

in last 11 years

0.0000024 air rifle related injuries per 100,000

participants per year.

Other youth sports cannot approach this safety

record!

BUTIt must be done right to

be safe.

Even the slightest injury may

cause adverse actions &

publicity.

SAFETY RULES FOR AIR RIFLE RANGES

• Rules 2.1 - 2.14 are all safety and some of the

other rules also contain safety items.

• 13 rules are printed on the inside front and

back covers of the Rulebook.

• Continually review them to keep them fresh

on your mind!

10/6/2014

3

1

M A T

MUZZLE – Always keep rifle muzzles pointed in a safe direction. Rifle muzzles

must never be pointed at other persons under any circumstances. On a range,

the safest direction to point a rifle muzzle is usually up with the barrel above

head level, or downrange towards the targets.

2

M A T

ACTION – Always keep rifle actions open, with CBIs inserted, except when the rifle is on the firing line between the beginning of the “preparation period” and the end of the firing period. When firing is finished or the rifle is laid down for any reason, the action must be opened and a CBI inserted.

The action may be closed when an air rifle is placed in a gun case, but

3

M A T

TRIGGER – Keep your finger off of the trigger until after placing the rifle in the shooting position and beginning to aim at the target. It is especially important to keep the finger outside of the trigger guard when loading the rifle and when lifting it up into position.

CLEAR BARREL INDICATORS (CBIs)

Properly used, CBIs provide absolute proof that air rifles are unloaded with no pellet in the

barrel and that actions are open.

Must protrude out of both the Muzzle & the open breech.

10/6/2014

4

GHSA REQUIREMENTSSection 9, By-Laws

CLEAR BARREL INDICATORS (CBIs)

- Mandatory for all competitions, training and practices. Must be in all rifles when not firing. The CBIs will be inserted in the rifles when taken out of storage or cases.

- May be only removed duringpreparation & changeover periods and during sighting or record fire times.

- Must be inserted after each position stage and anytime anyone goes forward of the firing line or removes their rifle from the firing line.

5LOADING – Rifle muzzles must remain pointed

downrange or up towards the ceiling whenever the rifle is charged or loaded. Special care must be taken during charging and loading to ensure that a rifle muzzle is never pointed at a neighboring athlete or at any area behind the firing line.

6TREAT EVERY RIFLE AS IF IT WERE LOADED –

Even if you are sure your rifle is unloaded and it has a CBI inserted

Lead Exposure

in 10M RangesA lot of testing, in US & abroad:

• No measurable lead in the air in air gun ranges.

• No evidence showing air gun competitors have elevated lead levels.

• No airborne lead generated by firing air rifles or pistols with velocities of 600 fps or lower (this is the maximum fps permitted by rules).

CAUTION

There can be lead residues on the

floor below the muzzles and near the

pellet traps if these areas are not

properly cleaned regularly.

10/6/2014

5

TRAIN YOUR ATHLETES!

• Wash Hands After Handling

Lead Pellets

• No Food Or Open Beverage Containers In The

Range.

A

GUIDE TO LEAD MANAGEMENT

FOR AIR GUN SHOOTING

A Guide to Ensuring Participant Health during Air Rifle and Air

Pistol Shooting through Proper Range Design, the Effective

Management of Lead Exposures, Personal Hygiene Practices and

Range Cleaning Procedures.

Produced by USA Shooting and the Civilian Marksmanship Program

© USAS & CMP, 2013

DOWNLOAD FROM CMP IF YOU DON’T HAVE A COPY.

Equipment ClassRule 4.1.4

GHSA competition is “Open” Class.

In an Open Class event, all athletes compete

in the same class or event and all rifles and

equipment must comply with the Precision

Air Rifle Equipment Rules.

Sporter air rifles may be used in open events but do not

have to comply with the Sporter Class Rules when used

in Open Class competition.

Item Specification/Restriction

A Length of front sight tunnel 50mm/2 in.

B Diameter of front sight tunnel 25mm/1 in.

C Distance from center of the front sight ring or top of post to center of bore either directly above or offset. 60mm/2.4 in.

D Depth of fore-end 90mm/3.6 in.

E Lowest point of pistol grip 160mm/6.4 in.

F Lowest point of stock or toe of butt plate with the butt plate in its maximum downward position 220mm/8.8 in.

G Depth of curve of butt plate (no hook butt plate

permitted)

20mm/0.8 in.

H Heel to toe length of butt plate 153mm/6.1 in.

I Total thickness of fore-end 60mm/2.4 in.

J1 Maximum distance (horizontal) of cheek piece from centerline of barrel 40mm/1.6 in.

J2 Maximum distance of the pistol grip from a vertical line perpendicular to the center line of the barrel 60mm

K Offset of butt plate parallel to the centerline of the

normal end of the butt, left or right

15mm/0.6 in.

L Trigger weight (no set trigger permitted) Free

M Weight with sights (as configured for the position where it is the heaviest) 5.5kg/12.125 lbs.

N The front sight may not extend beyond the muzzle of the rifle or of any extension to the muzzle (barrel weight, sight extension)

O Total length of the Air Rifle system (from end of barrel or extension to rear end of the action or system) 850mm/33.46 in.

K - See diagram below. The butt plate may be adjustable up or down. The lowest point of the stock or toe of the butt plate, with the butt plate in its maximum downward position must not

exceed 220 mm from the center line of the barrel. It may be offset parallel to the center line of the normal end of the butt plate left or right a maximum 15 mm or the complete butt plate

(not part) may be turned on the vertical axis. Turning the butt plate on the horizontal axis is not permitted.

M - If the rifle is used in one or more positions with a removable fore-end and hand stop, it must be weighed as configured for the position where it weighs the most.

4.4

10/6/2014

6

More Rifle RestrictionsRules 4.4 - 4.5

Includes:

• Exterior weights

• Hand stops & sling swivels

• Grip material, grips & stocks

• Adjustments

• Extension tubes

• Sights

4.6 Precision

Clothing & Accessories

Jackets

Trousers

Shoes

Undergarments & Training Clothing

Slings, gloves kneeling heel pads

Only one shooting jacket, one pair of shooting trousers and one pair of shooting shoes may be used in any competition.

Rules have restrictions on thickness, stiffness, fit, padding and

belts, waist bands & closures.

COMMON PROBLEMS:

- Coat too long: shorten it or use different coat.

- Sleeves too long: shorten, or fold cuff if then not too thick for

regulations, or use different coat.

- Coat too tight: move the buttons.

Rules have restrictions on thickness, stiffness, fit, padding

and belts, waist bands & closures.

Seat pads or patches

are no longer permitted on trousers

Note: If a seat pad was removed from older trousers, it may be used as a kneeling pad. See rule on kneeling pads.

10/6/2014

7

TOES OR HEELS OF THE SOLE

MAY NOT BE SQUARED

The sole must follow the curvature of the shoe and may not extend more than 5.0 mm beyond the external dimensions of the shoe at any point

They must be rounded as shown above.

PRONE, Rule 5.1.19 rules

FREQUENT VIOLATIONS

The fore-end behind the left hand must not touch the shooting jacket (the sleeve cuff cannot touch the fore-end of the rifle).

The right hand or arm may not touch the left arm, shooting jacket or sling.

The athlete’s left (sling arm) forearm must form an angle of not less than 30 degrees from the horizontal, measured from the axis of the forearm.

STANDING, Rule 5.1.27 rules

FREQUENT VIOLATIONS

The rifle must not touch the jacket or chest beyond the area of the right shoulder.

No part of the shooting stand may be higher than the athlete’s shoulders while the athlete is in the standing position.

** The new edition of the rule book also clarifies a previous interpretation problem.

The right hand (as it grasps the pistol grip) may not touch the jacket, left hand or arm.

KNEELING, Rule 5.1.313 rules

FREQUENT VIOLATIONS

The fore-end behind the left hand must not touch the shooting jacket (the sleeve cuff cannot touch the fore-end of the rifle).

May touch firing point surface with toe of right foot, right knee & left foot. May kneel on shooting mat with 1, 2 or 3 points of contact on the mat. No other articles may be under the right knee.

Point of elbow can be no more than 4” over or 6” back of point of knee.

Right foot cannot be angled more than 45°ifkneelingrollused.

Note that a kneeling heel pad may be used between the seat & heel (since seat pads have been removed from trousers).

10/6/2014

8

COMPETITION EVENTS AND TIME

LIMITS

Event procedures, time limits and charts that

show the courses of fire with time limits for

each stage of the competition are in Rule 5.

Go to back of the rule book for scripts with

sequence, specific commands and time limits.

RECOMMEND YOU PRINT COPIES OF THESE

SCRIPTS.

COMPETITION PROCEDURES (Rule 7)

You must learn these rules. They tell you action to take for many things that can arise. Included:

• Moving equipment to line.

• Preparation, changeovers.

• Sighting & record shots procedures.

• Irregular shots, crossfires, interruptions. malfunctions.

Have rules book readily available during competitions.

COMPETITION PROCEDURESSome clarifications

Time limits (not optional):

- Preparation & Sighting Stage: must be given 10 minutes. Changeover Stages (for standing & for kneeling) must be given 5 minutes.

Do not shorten these times.

- Record fire: May stop before time expires if

all athletes finish firing before end of time limit.

- Malfunctions Range officer must be notified before repairing or replacing. No extra time is given to repair/replace rifle malfunctions. May get additional sighting shots if certain requirements met.

(NOTE: New Rules may provide for extra time if malfunction occurs after the 5” warning.

SCORING TARGETS

(Rule 8)Three approved scoring methods

1. Manual Scoring

2. Electronic (EST) – Sius & Megalink

3. Visual Image (VIS) - Orion

The host school determines which of the above

scoring methods to use.

10/6/2014

9

MANUAL PAPER TARGET SCORING

(Rule 8.3)

Insure you have needed gauges (must be “plug” gauges).

- Outward gauge (8.3.2): Used only to score shots in the 3 to 10 rings.

- Inward gauge (8.3.3): Used only to score shots in the 1 & 2 rings and to score inner tens (to break ties).

- Optional: An 11.5mm Outward air pistol gauge is must quicker & more accurate for scoring inner tens (8.1.3)

- Remember that inner tens are the first tie-breaker used.

Equipment Rules Changes

• Sets maximum height of rifle rests, hooks, cradles attached to stands to no more than 1/3 the distance from floor to athlete’s shoulders.

(to help prevent tipping over if slightly bumped).

• Must wear normal, athletic or shooting shoes. No barefoot, stocking feet or sandals.

• Clarifies how far weights on stock & butt plate can extend to rear or side. Prohibits weights forward or laterally from butt plate.

• Clarifies use of kneeling roll not under shin – must be under the foot or ankle.

Interruptions Rules Changes(Not personal equipment malfunctions)

• Less than 5 minutes: Additional time equal to time lost, no additional sighting shots (no additional time).

• More than 5 minutes: Additional time equal to time lost, additional sighting shots (no extra time). BUT if interruption occurs after the five minutes warning given, athlete will receive two additional minutes.

• Athlete moved: Additional time equal to time lost, additional sighting shots, and two additional minutes.

10/6/2014

10

Malfunctions Rules Changes

• After rifle or equipment malfunction replacement

or repair: Additional sighting shots authorized but

no additional time.

• BUT, if interruption occurs after the five minutes

warning given, athlete will receive two additional

minutes.

Finals Rules ChangesSame format with slight modifications

• Time to load for each individual shot in the finals

reduced from 10 seconds to 5 seconds.

• Time to fire each competition shot increased to

from 45 seconds to 50 seconds.

Range Specifications

• New rule:

- All targets in a range must have

similar lighting.

• New recommendations:

- “Strongly recommended”

minimum illumination of 1000 Lux

on all targets; 1500 to 2000 is

preferred.

- A red stripe, 50-60 mm wide, to

mark firing line.

GHSA BY-LAWSSection 9, Riflery

• All matches shoulder to shoulder – with teams divided between relays.

• Scoring protest time: Set by Area before season or agreed upon by coaches prior to match.

• Four individuals comprise a team. Regular season – Each GHSA Area can set other, e.g., best 4 of 6, best 4 of 7, etc. before season begins.

• Post season – A team is 4 members but team may use 5 with the best 4 counting as the team score.

10/6/2014

11

GHSA BY-LAWSREQUIRED FOR ALL ACTIVITIES

There are many requirements other than just

Riflery in Section 9.

Coaches must work with their Athletic Director or

other appointed school representative to insure

they meet all requirements. Some examples follow:

GHSA BY-LAWSREQUIRED FOR ALL ACTIVITIES

ATHLETES’ ELIGIBILITY

• Athletes: Must have annual physical exam on file

at the school & meet all other requirements e.g.,

grades, residence.

• Schools: Must submit Eligibility reports for all

contestants 20 days prior to 1st contest.

Supplemental eligibility reports may be submitted

during the year.

GHSA BY-LAWS REQUIRED FOR ALL ACTIVITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Schools are expected to fulfill their

responsibilities for a sports season once they

have committed to play the sport.

• Schools are expected to advance in post-season if

they qualify and schools that drop out after

qualifying may be penalized with fines or

probation. (2.29).

MORE REQUIREMENTS

FOR ALL GHSA ACTIVITIES Qualifications to

Coach

• Certified teacher or JROTC instructor or retired one (2.51).

• Any other coaches may be “community coaches” (2.52).

Cannot be head coaches.

Criminal background check & must complete the GHSA Coaches Education Program before beginning.

Schools must report community coaches to GHSA.

Must attend GHSA rules clinic each year.

10/6/2014

12

GHSA CONTEST RESTRICTIONS

• All contests & practices must be outside the school day. Playoffs

(Sectionals, Semifinals, Championship) are exempt from this rule).

• Weekday contests: Only one day and/or night preceding a

school day per week may be used for a contest or activity with

a starting time of 6:00 pm or later.

• Teams playing any regular season contest when there are

classes the next day shall be limited to a travel distance of no

more than 100 miles one way.

REMEMBER

- Safety!

- Use the rule book.

- Coordinate With Your School’s AD Or Rep.