Rule Changes Adopted by EC, Delegates

At its January meeting, the NSCA Executive Council proposed three separate rule changes related to classification, European rotations, and rotation of squad positions, and the NSCA Delegates have approved all three proposals.

Summary of Classification Changes:

Starting January 1, 2025: NSCA will remove E Class. All members in E class for both 12 gauge and sub-gauge will be moved up to D class and start with zero (0) punches.

A new member who has never shot any registered clay targets will be assigned Class “C.” (Old rule was assigned Class “D.”)

Starting January 1, 2025: New punch requirements to punch up in 12-gauge class.

D – C   – 4 punches (old was 6 punches)
C – B    – 6 punches (old was 8 punches)
B – A    – 10 punches (old was 12 punches)
A – AA    – 14 punches (no change)
AA – Master    – 20 punches (no change)

On January 1, 2025: All members’ sub-gauge classification will be automatically re-classified to one class lower than their 12-gauge classification UNLESS their current sub-gauge classification is equal to or greater than their 12-gauge classification.

A shooter’s sub-gauge classification may never be more than one (1) class lower than their 12-gauge classification. As a shooter moves up in their 12-gauge classification, their sub-gauge classification will automatically move up also, starting the new class with zero (0) punches UNLESS their sub-gauge classification is:

o already one class lower than their new 12-gauge classification

o equal to their new 12-gauge classification, or
o higher than their new 12-gauge classification

Effective immediately, a shooter may request a 1,000-target review of their sub-gauge classification ONLY if their sub-gauge classification is equal to or higher than their 12-gauge classification.

 

Rotation Rule Change

In European rotation shoots, with some exceptions, rules require there to be a minimum of three shooters per squad. This was previously two. The rule now states:

European Rotation – If no field judges(referees) are appointed, individual competitors or groups of three (3) through six (6) competitors will proceed to the various stations at random. Groups may shoot in any order of rotation selected by the shooters and may change the rotation from station to station. In European Rotation, a shoot start and shoot end time will be established. It will be the responsibility of each shooter to complete the entire event between these times. Shoot management has the discretion to adjust the number of shooters in a group as needed.

Rotation of Squad Positions Change

At a squadded event, the change requires squads to stay in rotation order and rotate at every station. Previously, shooters have not been required to rotate. This change is also effective immediately. This text will be added to the rule:

Once a rotation of shooters is selected and shooting commences, the original first shooter will rotate to the last shooter position; the rest of the shooters on the squad will move up one position, thus rotating the first shooter position at each subsequent station throughout the course.

The changes are being incorporated into the NSCA Rule Book, and the updated version will be available soon.