Chapter 10 · Penalties · p.62
10.2Procedural Penalties – Specific Examples
If a competitor fires shots while touching the ground or any object completely outside the fault lines, they will be assessed one procedural penalty per . If any part of an object is inside the fault lines, then that entire object may be used for support without penalty. Support structures outside the shooting area such as, but not limited to wall feet, legs, braces, etc., may never be used for support, and any object completely outside the fault lines may not be used for support, even if it touches an object that is inside the fault lines. Course designers may designate certain parts of structures, such as raised platforms, as part of the shooting area, while excluding their support structure or steps, but must mark those areas with legal fault lines. Raised planks or timbers may be designated as shooting areas as long as they satisfy the requirements listed in 2.2.1.2.
10.2.1.1 However, if the competitor has gained a on any while faulting, the competitor may instead be assessed one procedural penalty for each shot fired at the subject target(s) while faulting. No penalty is assessed if a competitor does not fire any shots while faulting, providing doing so does not violate 2.2.1.5 or 3.2.6.
10.2.1.2 A shooter who fires shots while completely outside (both feet out and touching the ground) after leaving a shooting area is deemed to have gained a significant advantage and will be given one penalty for each shot fired until presence is re-established in a shooting area. Having at least one foot in a shooting area and nothing touching outside the shooting area is required to re- establish presence in a shooting area.
10.2.1.3 If a competitor starts and fires shots while completely outside a shooting area, foot fault penalties will apply as above, as stated in 10.2.1 and/or 10.2.1.1.
Except as addressed in other rules, a competitor who fails to comply with the procedure specified in the Written Stage Briefing will incur one procedural penalty for each . However, if a competitor has gained a during non-compliance, the competitor may be assessed one procedural penalty for each shot fired, instead of a single penalty (e.g. firing multiple shots contrary to the required position or stance).
10.2.2.1 Procedural penalties for failure to comply with stage procedures do not apply to the total number of shots fired. Penalties for firing insufficient or additional shots in total for the string or stage are addressed in other rules, e.g. Misses (9.4.4), Extra Shots (9.4.5.1) or Overtime Shots (9.4.6.2), and must not be penalized under the provisions of 10.2.2.
Where multiple penalties are assessed in the above cases, they must not exceed the maximum number of scoring hits that can be attained by the competitor. For example, a competitor who gains an advantage while faulting a where only four metal targets are visible will receive one procedural penalty for each shot fired while faulting, up to a maximum of four procedural penalties, regardless of number of shots fired.
A competitor who fails to comply with a mandatory reload will incur one procedural penalty for each shot fired after the point where the reload was required until a reload is performed.
In a Cooper Tunnel, a competitor who disturbs one or more pieces of the overhead material will receive one procedural penalty for each piece of overhead material which falls during the . Overhead material which falls as a result of the competitor bumping or striking the uprights, or as a result of muzzle gases or recoil, will not be penalized.
A competitor who is creeping (e.g. moving hands towards the handgun, a device or ammunition) or physically moving to a more advantageous or posture at the start signal, will incur one procedural penalty.
10.2.6.1 Exception: any movement required or specified in the stage briefing (i.e., self-start) will not be penalized.
If a stipulates shooting strong or only, a competitor will not be penalized for using the other hand (i.e. the other arm from the shoulder to the hand) to disengage an external safety, to reload or to correct a malfunction. However, the competitor will be issued one procedural penalty per shot fired while:
10.2.8.1 Touching the handgun with the other hand, or using the wrong hand, while firing shots;
10.2.8.2 Using the other hand to support the handgun, wrist or shooting arm while firing shots;
10.2.8.3 Using the other hand on a barricade or another prop to increase stability while firing shots.
A competitor who leaves a shooting area may return and shoot again.
Special penalty: A competitor unable to fully execute any part of a due to incapacity or injury may, prior to making his attempt at the course of fire, request that the Range Master apply a penalty in lieu of the stated course requirement.
10.2.10.1 Exception – In a / stage, a competitor who has physical use of only one hand (or arm) may use the same hand for both weak and strong without penalty.
10.2.10.2 If the request is approved by the Range Master, a minimum of one procedural penalty, up to a maximum penalty of 20% of the competitor’s points “as shot” (rounded up to the nearest whole number), will be deducted from the competitor’s score. For example, if 100 points are available in the course of fire and the competitor actually scores 90 points, the special penalty is a deduction of 18 points. The Range Master may waive any or all procedural penalties in respect of a competitor who has a significant physical disability prior to the competitor making his attempt at the course of fire.