As is true with all regulated clay target sports, the official rules of FITASC (which can be found on the NSCA website) are detailed, cumbersome and quite lengthy. The following is to introduce shooters not familiar with FITASC with the basic rules you should be aware of in order to go out and shoot FITASC and have some fun.
TIMELINESS – Official rules of shooting anywhere in a regulated competition require the shooter to be at the Parcour 15 minutes prior to your assigned shooting time. Here at Brays, simply as a matter of etiquette, if you are shooting with others at a predetermined time, you should arrive at the Gun Club at least 15 minutes before and be out at the Parcour with your ear and eye protection on, ready to shoot at your established start time. It is a “tee time” not a “show up” time.
NO PRACTICE MOUNTS ALLOWED – From the time you arrive at the Parcour until completion, there are no practice mounts.
MAXIMUM LOADS – 12-gauge loads are restricted to one ounce of shot. Shot size is restricted to 7-½’s maximum (i.e., 7-½’s or 8’s are fine, 9’s are useless, 6’s are not allowed). There is no restriction on speed (measured in FPS). If shooting a sub-gauge FITASC event, maximum loads are 7/8 ounce for 20-gauge, and 3/4 ounce for 28-gauge.
LOW GUN POSITION – The highest point of the comb or butt of the gun must be at least 25cm (call it 10”) below the top of the shoulder. At most shoots, if you do not have a FITASC Line on your shirt or vest, the referee will measure and put a chalk line on your garment. The butt of the gun must be touching your body when in the ready position.
FULL USE OF THE GUN – On singles, if you miss with your first shot, you may shoot again. If the target is hit with the second shot, it still counts as a “kill” the same as if it were hit with the first.
SHOOTER ROTATION – At each peg, all the singles are shot by all shooters in the squad. Then, the beginning shooter rotates to the end and all shooters shoot their pairs before moving on the next peg. An example if you had a full squad of six shooters is Peg 1 Singles, shooters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Then, for Pairs, shooters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1. Peg 2 Singles: 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, etc.
“SHOW ME” TARGETS – Are limited to two of each target maximum to the first shooter only at each peg. There are no show targets for pairs because pairs are made up of targets already shot as singles. The only exception is that if there is a “true” pair, the first shooter on pairs may see that true pair up to two times to help determine which target to shoot first (usually apparent) and, more importantly, where to look for the second target after breaking the first.
READY POSITION – Once you are in the peg (and have determined where you are placing your feet, where your muzzle will be and the stock at or below the 10” line), you must stop all body movement other than your eyes, call for the target and remain motionless until you SEE the target in flight. If you move before you see the target, it is scored as a zero or lost bird.