The October Question of the Month addressed a question that we answer frequently. Here is the situation: The PCC start position is standing anywhere outside the shooting area. Carbine muzzle is pointed downrange, loaded and held in both hands with safety on. The competitor in the picture has his PCC loaded with safety on and pointed downrange and is waiting for the “Are You Ready?” command. Should the RO proceed with the range commands?
The correct answer is ‘Yes’. But why is that the correct answer? The competitor clearly has one foot inside the shooting area! How can he be outside the shooting area?
It comes down to how do we define outside the shooting area per 10.2.1. If a competitor is shooting a course of fire that specifies all targets must be engaged from within the shooting area, and is standing with one foot outside the shooting area, he earns a penalty. Which is why the above picture is considered outside the shooting area.
However, a carefully crafted WSB can prevent this situation and have the competitor truly outside the shooting area. If the WSB said “both feet completely outside the shooting area” or “completely outside the shooting area with toes on rear fault line” then the competitor would need to have both feet outside and the RO should not proceed with the range commands until the condition is met.
Remember that if you want competitors standing in a certain position, you need to be specific in the WSB.
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