INTERNATIONAL PISTOL FIELD TARGET ASSOCIATION Version 3.53 RULEBOOK IPFTA 1102 N Benson Road Fairfield, CT 06824 IPFTA Board of Directors President: Jay R. DeCarlo – Middlebury, CT Vice President: Robert Ford, Jr. - MA Secretary/Treasurer: David Day – Fairfield, CT Board of Directors 1. Martin McNaughton – St. Louis, Missouri 2. Rahul Ambegaoker – Bombay, India 3. Tommy Lo – New York 4. Billy Lo – New York International Pistol Field Target Association Although airgun field target got its start in the United Kingdom in the early 1980’s as a hunting simulation contest, it has been fully developed during the past 20 years as an air rifle sport. Recognizing the growing popularity of air pistol shooting, IPFTA was created for the purpose of setting forth standards for conducting field target contests geared to the air pistol shooter, and sanctioning of airgun clubs interested in hosting air pistol field target events. As in air rifle field target, the contestant shoots at a target face constructed of wood or metal in the shape of an animal. The target face contains a circular opening (kill zone), behind which is an activation device that causes the target to fall when a pellet passes through the kill zone and strikes the target activation mechanism. An IPFTA match consists of a course of fire with three shots at each of 15 targets placed at distances of 10-25 yards. The kill zones of the targets fall between 3/4 and 2 inches in diameter and the average kill zone size for a course of fire should be greater than 1 inch diameter.. Local club IPFTA matches are held at the affiliated club’s discretion. Clubs desiring to conduct regional, statewide, national, or international championships petition the IPFTA board of directors to conduct such matches, and upon approval, are sanctioned by IPFTA to conduct such matches on an annual basis. To assure consistency in difficulty of matches conducted by affiliate clubs, IPFTA uses a ‘reciprocal difficulty scale’. Shooting positions for IPFTA events are STANDING, and ANY POSITION. The standing position restricts the shooter to a normal standing position with only two hands, and no other part of the anatomy allowed to touch the pistol. The “Any” position, position allows the shooter to hold the gun while in a standing, kneeling, sitting, or prone position with two hands AND the support from any part of the clothed or unclothed anatomy without assistance of any other devices. Under no circumstances can ‘butt stocks’ be used that would allow the pistol to be shouldered in a rifle position. The shooting classes for IPFTA are: a. Standing – open sights b. Standing – any sights (any sights other than laser) with sights not exceeding 12X magnification. c. Any position – open sights d. Any position – any sights (any sights other than laser) with sights not exceeding 12X The rules for IPFTA shooting are few, and IPFTA is the sole arbitrator of challenges that may arise to the rules. Local clubs are encouraged to experiment with new classifications, and are encouraged to define and refine new classifications that may ultimately be incorporated into IPFTA-sanctioned events. Although IPFTA shooting is ultimately designed to test one’s competitive pistol shooting skills against others, the ultimate goal of IPFTA is to promote air pistol field target shooting in a manner that draws new shooters into the sport and to create camaraderie amongst air pistol shooters. IPFTA recognizes that competition plays an important role in improving and testing one’s pistol shooting skills, but ultimately, FUN is the name of the game. By-Laws of the International Pistol Field Target Association Article I – Name The name of this organization is the International Pistol Field Target Association (hereinafter referred to as IPFTA). Article II – Logo The Logo of IPFTA is as follows and may only be used in promotional purposes for affiliated club local and sanctioned state, regional, national and international events upon written consent of the IPFTA board of directors. Article III – Purpose IPFTA is established for the purpose of promoting air pistol field target shooting clubs throughout the world and for sanctioning of state, regional, national, and international air pistol field target events. To accomplish this objective, IPFTA commits itself to establishment and maintenance of a set of rules and guidelines so that participating clubs and individuals may compete in air pistol field target in a manner that provides the greatest equity to all participants. Additionally IPFTA exists to further the sport of air pistol field target shooting throughout the world by encouraging integrity in conduct, safety, equity to participants, and inclusionary participation by all parties with an interest in air pistol field target shooting. Article IV – Membership The membership of IPFTA will be comprised of affiliated clubs and individuals with a desire to participate in air pistol field target shooting events. Membership shall consist of affiliated clubs who may petition IPFTA for sanctioning of state, regional, national, and international events AND individuals who wish to participate in sanctioned IPFTA events or events conducted by individual clubs. At least two individual members of a shooting club must be members of IPFTA in order for the club to be considered as an affiliate. Member clubs must hold a minimum of one air pistol field target match per year according to IPFTA guidelines in order to be considered for sanctioning of a regional, state, national, or international event. Upon acceptance by the board of directors, an affiliated club will be issued a certificate of membership in IPFTA. Member clubs must submit IPFTA match results to the board of directors only for those matches that are sanctioned by the board of directors. Results of local club events that are normally not sanctioned by IPFTA need not be submitted to the board of directors. Member clubs and individual members are encouraged to submit information on club activities and events so that successes and new ideas may be freely disseminated to members in all membership categories. Article V – Responsibilities of affiliated clubs Affiliated clubs are responsible for conducting their own affairs as they relate to IPFTA. This includes safety, club organization, disputes among members, dissemination of information, liability, and enforcement of codes of conduct at non-sanctioned and sanctioned IPFTA activities. IPFTA will assist clubs with organization guidance, and to maintain a standard for air pistol field target shooting will disseminate official sanctioned event rules, and update rules as required based upon written petitions to the board of directors. IPFTA will be the sole entity to designate the site for the International championships on an annual basis, and will be responsible for providing awards to champion’s participants in such events. Upon sanctioning of regional, state, and national championships, the local club awarded the privilege of hosting such events will be responsible for adherence to IPFTA rules at such events as well as items such as entry fees, liability waivers, awards, etc. Article VI – Dues There are no dues for IPFTA membership. Upon acceptance of membership application by the board of directors, affiliated clubs will not be charged a membership fee, provided the requirement for a minimum of two IPFTA members from the applicant club has been met. As a non-profit organization, any IPFTA revenues will be spent in support of air pistol field target promotion and other activities that the board of directors deems appropriate. Article VII – Meetings An annual meeting of IPFTA will be held in association with the yearly international championships. All IPFTA members are encouraged to submit topics for discussion at least 30 days prior to the meeting. The board of directors shall be responsible for setting the agenda for the annual meeting and determining those topics to be discussed and acted upon based upon topics submitted for discussion and selected by the board of directors. The annual meeting shall be open to all IPFTA members in good standing, and the president of IPFTA will be responsible for maintaining orderly conduct of the meeting. Meetings by the board of directors shall be called as needed by the president of IPFTA and will be held at times and places determined by the board of directors. Routine business meetings, as a rule will not be open to all IPFTA members, but individual IPFTA members may be invited, as required, to appear before the board of directors to reach decisions relative to topics that require input from the general membership. Topics requiring a vote of the membership shall be presented to the membership by the board of directors at the annual meeting. The president will be responsible for setting a reasonable time for discussion of issues that need to be decided by the general membership, and shall be responsible for the orderly conduct of debates that need to be concluded prior to votes. Article VIII – Board of Directors The IPFTA board of directors will be responsible for the business affairs of IPFTA, determining the site of the annual championship shoot, and setting the agenda for the annual general membership meeting. The board of directors shall enforce and regulate the IPFTA by-laws. The IPFTA board of directors shall consist of seven members elected by a vote of 2/3 of the majority of the IPFTA membership. Each director shall be elected for a term of three years and the elections will be staggered so that no more than 3 director positions are up for election in any given year. On an annual basis, the board of directors will select from its ranks an individual to serve as president, vice-president and secretary/treasurer. Should a member of the board of directors resign, or be unable to complete his/her elected term of office, a replacement will be made by majority vote of the remaining board members. Any member of the board of directors may be suspended or expelled from the board for any cause by a two-thirds majority vote of the board of directors. Article IX – Affiliate Representatives Each IPFTA affiliate will appoint a representative whose purpose will be to handle all correspondence between the affiliated club and the board of directors. Article X – Suspension or Expulsion Any individual or affiliated club member may be expelled from IPFTA for any cause deemed sufficient by the board of directors by a two-thirds vote of the general membership present at the annual meeting of IPFTA. Article XI – Amendments Amendments to these by-laws may be proposed by any member in good standing of IPFTA by submitting a request in writing to the board of directors at least 30 days prior to the date of the annual meeting. Upon approval by at least 50% of the board of directors, the proposed amendment will be placed on the agenda for consideration at the annual meeting. A two-thirds vote of members in good standing at the annual meeting will be required to make amendment to any article of the by-laws. IPFTA Shooting rules: 1. Air pistols Any safe air–pistol with a caliber not exceeding .25 shall be acceptable for IPFTA competition. The pistol may not have any attachments that would function as a stock or ‘butt stock’ enabling the weapon to be shouldered by a competitor. Other attachments, permanently or temporarily affixed, that are designed to contour the pistol to the shooter's anatomy (excluding hands) shall also be prohibited. Only pistols, factory-stock or modified, that can safely be held using a 'two hands on the grip' standing hold will be allowed in IPFTA competition. In situations of dispute as to acceptability of a pistol for IPFTA competition, the match director shall have final say as to use the pistol in question on the day of the match. Maximum allowed power is 20 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. There are no minimum power requirements for air-pistols used in IPFTA competition. However, clubs conducting IPFTA events are encouraged to very carefully adjust targets at distances exceeding 20 yards. Proper adjustment of targets will assure that kill zone ‘hits’ with low-powered air pistols (muzzle velocity <400 feet per second) will consistently drop targets while misses with higher powered air pistols will not accidentally cause targets to fall with hits outside of the kill zone. Allowed sights for air pistols will be open sights, peep sights, and optical sights not exceeding 12X magnification. No range finding devices other than a scope mounted on the pistol being fired in the competition will be allowed in IPFTA events. 2. Classifications There will be two classifications for IPFTA sanctioned competition: a. Open sights – pistols consisting of ‘iron sights’, open, notched, square, or peep, including UNMAGNIFIED red dot aiming systems (excluding laser sights). b. Any sights – (excluding laser sights) any optics, magnified red dot, or similar device not exceeding 12X magnification. 3. Ammunition Any single-projectile pellet design that is completely constructed of lead or lead alloy not to exceed .25 caliber. 4. Targets a. Silhouette fall-when-hit targets resettable from the firing point will be used. Silhouettes should be of typical airgun quarry. b. Targets should not be closer than 10 yards nor farther than 25 yards from the firing point. c. The match director for both sanctioned and unsanctioned events should assure that shooting lanes and physical limits of firing points are clearly defined. d. A clear and unobstructed view of the kill zone must be afforded from at least one shooting position. e. Kill zone sizes should normally range from 3/4” to 2 inches in diameter. 5. Scoring a. Scoring shall be on the basis of one point for each “hit” (fallen target) and zero points for each “miss”. b. The face of the target must fall to be considered a “hit”. c. Any discharge (with or without a pellet) without first announcing one’s intention to deliberately discharge the gun shall be recorded as a miss. 6. Course of fire a. A typical course of fire will consist of 3 shots at each of 15 targets for a total course of fire of 45 shots. b. Time limits may be set as desired by the local affiliate conducting a match. 7. Difficulty a. A uniform system shall be used to assess the ‘difficulty’ level of courses of fire designed by individual clubs. b. Difficulty factors for individual targets shall be the multiple of the reciprocal of the target’s kill zone diameter multiplied by the distance, in yards, from the shooter to the target. Example – a target of 7/8” kill zone at 15 yards would yield a difficulty factor of 17.12 (8/7 X 15 = 17.12)… and a target of ½ inch at 20 yards would yield a difficulty factor of 40 (2/1 X 20) c. The difficulty factors of individual targets shall be averaged to determine an overall course difficulty. 8. Shooter classifications a. There shall be two classifications of shooters for each pistol type i. Open sights – standing ii. Open sights – any position iii. Unlimited sights – standing iv. Unlimited sights – any position 9. Shooting position a. Standing – the only contact that is allowed with the pistol is one or two hands. A “taco” hold, or any other hold that results in bracing of the pistol by supporting the arms against the torso, or locking elbows into the hips, etc is not allowed. b. Any position – the only contact that is allowed with the pistol is two hands and any portion of the shooter’s clothed or unclothed anatomy that is not aided by any device, attachment to the gun, or attachment to the clothing (for purposes of this definition, shoes and boots will be considered clothing) 10. Disputed scores a. Any challenge to a shot must be made to the match director before leaving the target and proceeding to shoot at another target. b. The match director’s decisions on all challenges are final and may not be appealed. 11. Penalties a. The penalty for any deliberate infraction of shoot rules or any local club safety rules, conduct etc, or any form of cheating is disqualification from the match. Disqualifications from IPFTA sanctioned matches will be reported to the board of directors who may, at their discretion, bar the disqualified person from competing in future sanctioned matches for a period of time not exceeding two years. 12. Target sequence a. The match director shall designate the sequence for shooting targets, by number, left to right, near to far, etc. b. A shot to a target out of sequence shall be recorded as a ‘miss’ for the correct target in the sequence. c. If the wrong target was knocked over, it shall be reset and then shooting shall resume on the correct target in the sequence. 13. Tie scores a. In the event of two or more shooters tying for an award, a shoot-off, of the match director’s specification, or other tie-breaking system will take place. In any event, the match director will be responsible for determining the method of settling tie scores. 14. Shooters with physical disabilities a. IPFTA strongly encourages member clubs to provide flexibility in accommodating shooters with physical disabilities that may prevent complete compliance with rules regarding position classifications. b. Although many shooters participate in IPFTA events for the competition they provide, match directors are encouraged to provide waivers of rules, as necessary, to allow physically disabled persons to shoot in a manner that allows such shooters to qualify for awards at conclusion of the competition. 15. Matters not covered a. In any matters not covered by these rules, the match director’s decision will be final. IPFTA Safety Rules 1. All airguns shall be kept unloaded until on the firing line. The muzzle shall be pointed downrange at all times when the gun is ready to fire. If it is impractical to keep the muzzle pointed downrange, the gun should be held so the muzzle is pointed straight up in the air with fingers kept clear of the trigger area. 2. Airgun muzzles will never be pointed at other persons. 3. Safe shooting procedures to be observed while on the firing line include: a. No airgun shall be cocked or loaded until a shot is ready to be fired downrange b. The airgun safety will not be released until the airgun is pointed downrange c. All shooters must observe safe spacing between participants to avoid accidental falls that could result in airgun discharges d. Each shooter is responsible for his/her direction of fire. e. When the match officer or any other participant in a match observes an unsafe condition, it is the responsibility of that person to call a ‘cold line’ or ‘cease fire’ until such time as the match officer can address and correct the unsafe condition. f. When a ‘cold line’ or cease-fire is called, all shooters shall immediately break their airgun breech, open the loading port or bolt, or unlatch the cocking lever in observance of the cease-fire. g. Standard safety procedures will be used on practice and sight-in targets, and permission must be gained from the match officer to call a cease fire and proceed down range to attend to practice targets. h. The match officer shall be the final arbitrator of questions regarding range safety. 4. Safety is the responsibility of all match participants and spectators. Any unsafe airgun handling practices should be immediately brought to the attention of the match officer. 5. Children present at any match must be under the direct supervision of their parents or guardians at all times. Junior shooters must be cleared by the match officer for an understanding of range safety rules prior to engaging in the handling of airguns at a match or practice range. 6. No alcohol, or controlled substances without a prescription will be tolerated during a match. Use of such substances shall result in immediate expulsion from the match. 7. The match director should also assure appropriate safety practices are observed in the area where pre-charged weapons are refilled. IPFTA strongly encourages match directors to specify an area away from the shooting lanes as a designated area for refilling precharged airguns. IPFTA Shooter Etiquette All shooters participating in an IPFTA match are expected to respect others during the course of a match. This means that competitors will not engage in behaviors that are loud or boisterous or are intended to rattle or otherwise effect the shooting concentration of others. Persons not observing appropriate range etiquette may be expelled from a match at the discretion of the match officer. Procedure for sanctioning an IPFTA State, Regional, or National Match Local matches need not be formally sanctioned by IPFTA. Affiliated clubs conducting local matches may only use the IPFTA logo and IPFTA name. To gain IPFTA sanctioning of a match, the club that wishes to host the state, regional, or national event must petition IPFTA for sanctioning of the match. IPFTA headquarters must receive the sanctioning request at least 30 days prior to the date on which the sanctioned event is to be held. The following information is needed by IPFTA to sanction an event: 1. Name of the IPFTA affiliated club that will be hosting the event 2. Proposed date of the event 3. Address at which the event will take place 4. Name of the match officer or other contact person 5. Name of the event (e.g. Rhode Island State IPFTA Championship) 6. Number of shots to be taken by competitor in the event 7. Complete information on shoot times, contacts, and any special rules that apply to the event 8. Any other information that the applicant may feel is needed by IPFTA to sanction the event. Upon receipt of the sanctioning request letter, IPFTA will respond within 2 weeks. After the event is sanctioned, the host club is given permission to use the IPFTA logo in all correspondence and advertisements pertaining to the match. Please note that IPFTA will reserve certain dates for conducting National and International Matches. Applicants for sanctioning of matches should check with IPFTA prior to applying for sanctioning to avoid conflicts with major events. Match Terminology Hot Line – participant may fire when ready Cold Line – Cease-fire and make airguns safe Pre-match meeting – A time when the match director assembles all participants to address specifics of the match, rules, procedures, safety etc. Lane Markers – Markers that define the space in which the shooter is to be physically confined while shooting at targets. Split – when a pellet hits the edge of a kill zone causing fragments of the pellet to hit the kill zone paddle. Paddle – The area behind the kill zone, that when activated by a pellet strike causes the target to fall. Marshall – a volunteer that serves as a match directors ‘second’ to enforce rules and safety. Blow off a shot – intentional discharge of a pellet or air with or without a pellet into the ground by a competitor to clear a pellet, uncock, recycle, or reduce working pressure from an airgun. Squad – a group of several shooters who will proceed together throughout the course of fire from lane to lane of targets. Tie breaker – A process, devised by the match director to settle tie scores at the end of a match. Time limit – a time imposed on a shooter to prepare for and shoot at a target. Lane – A designated area in which a target is placed when shooting in a match. Air Bottle – the bulk device from which pneumatic guns are charged (e.g. scuba tank) Shooting time – the time when shooting will commence at a match. Reset – bringing a target back to its upright position after it has been knocked over by a shot to the target’s kill zone. Targets are reset by pulling on a string attached to the target that runs to the lane markers.