Guidelines for referees
1. Read shooters names from squad sheet and for trap shooting ensure competitors are on correct tracks and marks.For safety reasons ask all shooters to check for obstructions in barrels.
2.The referee must stand where he has a clear view of targets and competitors. For trap shooting preferably between lanes 2 and 3, approximately 2 metres behind the competitors shooting mark. If there is excessive background noise the referee may move between lanes 2 and 4 in order to hear the competitor's call so as to give all competitors equity of competition.
3. Describe the event and procedure for conduct of the event e.g. "25 target Single Barrel Championship shot from 15 metres, 13 targets from Trap 1 and 12 targets from Trap Trap 2".
4. The referee shall ask his scorer to stand close enough to him so that the referee can see the score sheet, and the scorer can observe the target as a check referee.
5. Target to be shown by referee:
a. For trap shooting one shot not to count shall be offered to each shooter for his first target of the day.
b. When the competitors are all in position the referee must release a target for the first shooter to look at on his call
i. At the beginning of all events
ii.After any breakdown or delay
iii. At the commencement of all shoot-offs
iv. On each trap used for a shoot-off
v. After any break for shells etc. during a shoot-off
vi. If a competitor receives two broken targets in a row.
c. For trapshooting, if it is a six-man squad and there is to be one target per shooter eye-opener, number 6 shooter must move up to take the first target, but he must still be shown a target on his call before he shoots at his eye-opener target.
6. The referee must at all times release the target immediately on the competitors call.It may be released by the puller, who must be either the referee or an authorised target release operator appointed by shoot management. Or it may be released by voice activated electronic equipment, provided that equipment incorporates a delay mechanism that is timed to imitate the biological reaction time of a human puller. This delay time is necessary to allow equitable integration between events using pullers and events using phono-pulls.
7. The referee must clearly call the result thus: One, Two, Lost, No Target, as appropriate.
8. Lost targets must be called immediately, and the referee must change his decision if the target breaks before it hits the gound.
9. The referee is to see that the next shooter's gun remains fully open until the result of the previous shot has been called.He should ensure that the competitor does not call and the target is not released before the result has been called. (Refer to Rule 1.01e)
10.At all times ensure that no competitor leaves a cartridge in his gun after a red signal from the traphouse (breakdown etc) and when moving from lane 5 to lane 1.
11. A shooter must walk in front of the referee when changing from lanes 1 to 5, taking care not to obstruct the referee in the execution of his duties. From lane 5 to lane 1 he should walk behind where possible.
12. The referee must speak to a shooter immediately on any breach of the safety rules. If the rules of etiquette are broken the referee should speak to the shooter concerned after the squad has finished, depending on the circumstances.
13. In Single Barrel competition the referee must ensure that one cartridge only is placed in the gun.
14. The referee must not restore a target if the competitor opens his gun after a malfunction. In the case of a malfunction the referee shall visually check the safety catch is not on and that the action is closed.He will request the shooter to fire the gun once only. Under no circumstances will the referee attempt to test fire the gun.
15. The referee shall be mindful of the rule regarding squad members disturbing the competitor shooting.
16. The referee will not call no target to deny the shooter the opportunity to shoot at a whole target unless a safety hazard exists. The shooter is the only person to decide if the target is aceptable to him.
17. Interpretation of refusal rule:
A shooter may refuse to shoot at any target which he considers to be illegal. There is no limit to the number of targets the shooter may refuse as long as the referee agrees with the reasons. Obviously, if too many targets are refused for illegality, the referee must find the cause, then correct it. If the referee does not consider that the target refused is illegal, he will ask the shooter why he refused the target. If the referee is not satisfied with the reason he will tell the shooter. He will also state that any further targets which are refused and are considered by the referee to be legal will be scored "Lost".
If the above situation seems likely to arise it is preferable that a third party, qualified if possible, adjudicates subsequent refusals. The foregoing procedure in no way discriminates against referees using tgheir judgement, it is meant to assist in equity of competition.
A major point missed by referees is that although a shooter may refuse to shoot an illegsal target, he is equally entitled to accept an illegal target. However if he shoots at, and misses, an illegal target, the only decision open to the referee is "lost target".Similarly if he hits it "one" or "two" is scored, abide by result.
A referee shall not call "No Target" for a fast or slow released target, nor if the target seems to him to be too high, too low or too wide. "No Target" should only be called in the case of a broken target, a pair of targets emerging instead of a single (or vice versa) or where a safety hazard exists if the shooter elects to shoot at the target.
Referees are to ensure that "R" for Refusal is entered on the scorecard. Every refusal must be called either "No Target" or "Lost Target" by the referee.
18. The referee is to see that all competitors remain as a squad until the last shooter has finished.
19. At the completion of each visit to a trap the referee must request competitors to unload their guns and check their scores.