Cheating or not?

I know a fellow that shoots with what he says is one foot on the center of the walkway. He is barely on the center of the pad. One foot is usually in the grass. He says it is legal. Not that is bugs me. Just wondering.

 

"Cheating" depends on ..... "registered/ATA", or "other" Trapshooting. The "ATA rule book" has it's answer to proper post position, and "Bubba" running a "meat shoot" may require different post etiquette.

 

James,
When I was a line ref. Shooters had to have one foot on or over the center line of the post they were shooting. One foot in the grass, every shot would not count. One warning, if not heeded the second would be head for the showers, you are out of here. First of all it does not give him an advantage. If he thinks it does he is a fool. Roger C.

 

If you are talking about ATA shooting, you should probably read the rule book. It's very clear what is allowed regarding foot position.

Not everyone who posts here has correct information.

 

Scott, You are one of them. Roger C.

 

Roger -

I almost never post here, so not sure where that is coming from. On a question such as posted by the OP, there is a clear-cut answer (i.e. the rulebook if we are talking about an ATA event).

From the ATA rulebook below, the highlighted portion (my emphasis) would seem to be clear, to even the dullest of people. It's worth noting that the rulebook does not indicate where the second foot has to be, just one foot on the line or one foot on each side. Also worth noting is that the rule below only imposes a penalty of "no target" or "lost target" and does not refer to disqualification for violation of the rule.

10. When firing, the contestant’s feet must be behind the firing mark at 16-
yards, or behind the mark for the Handicap yardage assigned to him/
her, depending upon the event being participated in.The contestant

must stand with at least one foot on an imaginary line drawn through

the center of the trap and continuing through the center of the post, or

have one foot on each side of the line. Exceptions to the rule contained
in the second sentence of this paragraph may be granted by the referee/
scorer due to inequalities in the shooting platform, and shall be granted
for wheelchair contestants. Wheelchair contestants shall position their
chair so that the center of mass of their body is over the place where
they would stand as required by this rule if no chair were used. If a
contestant fails to follow this rule in its entirety, the referee/scorer shall
rule any target fired at and broken a “NO TARGET,” but if fired at and
missed, the referee/scorer shall rule the target “LOST.”

Scott

 

Scott you are splitting hairs. The pad is provided for a very good reason. It is to stand on. One foot on each side of the center. The poster does not state that the pads are inadaquate. He does not state the shooter is handicapped. It reads as if the person is of normal ability, and the pads are of regulation size. The post is in very plain enough that even a dull person should understand. The man is not trying to take a proper stance on a regulation pad. Roger C.

 

As Roger said, it is tough to know what applies in your case, but assuming ATA rules, Scott is correct. There is no such thing in the rules as a regulation pad. There is no requirement for a pad at all. Yes, we all expect to see one, but there are fields without them. As long as the shooter is not inching closer to the trap than the 16 yard mark, or the respective handicap yardage mark, and one foot is on the imaginary center line or straddling it, it does not matter where the other foot is - on the grass is fine if he enjoys being a contortionist.

 

At least someone gets it. There is no such thing as a "regulation" pad. I've shot registered events that the shooting positions were laid out on a parking lot, fields that were old and narrow to the point that my feet had to be in the grass, and fields that are up to the latest ADA requirements and are 5 feet wide.

As Roger posted, one foot on each side of center is completely legal. But, it's also legal to stand with one foot on the line without regard for the other. You can't just use portions of the rule for enforcement.

Scott

 

Where did you shoot registered targets in a parking lot? If you and I are shooting on the same squad and I am putting my foot in the grass on the left and you are putting your foot on the grass on the right , do you not think this would be a little unsafe? Where is V10 when he is needed? Roger C.

 

Let's not make too much of this. To the OP, as explained it is unlikely the guy is cheating, but is odd. To each his own.

 

Bat,
I agree, but other people read what is posted on here. I would not want any of them to think that the pads are meaningless. We have enough problems in our sport, with out more cropping up. Could you imagine the effect of a new shooter seeing a whole squad standing like that. Roger C.

 

Buddy of mine is very wide and very tall, he HAS to have a foot in the grass at most clubs because he just doesn't fit on most walkways.

 

That is a valid reason. Roger C.