The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Rifle Committee has determined that the official smallbore target will become the USA/National Rifle Association 50 (2006) for the 2007 season. This change was introduced in the 2006 edition of the NCAA rifle rules book and will become effective next season.

During its annual meeting March 21-23 in Indianapolis, the committee completed a comprehensive review of the rules book that resulted in several proposals, including the requirement that a printed scoring report must be submitted when electronic targets are used in qualification matches.

That and all rules-change proposals must be approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel before being implemented. The complete list of rules changes will be sent to all coaches and commissioners for comment before being submitted to PROP for review in May.

Other changes included a correction in the book that affects measurements of smallbore gauges. The inward gauge shall be measured at 5.60-5.65 millimeters and the outward gauge measurement is 8.98-90.3 millimeters.

Shooting jacket specifications also will be expanded to indicate that the measurement of the jacket will be taken with the arms at the side. Only one pocket is allowed in the jacket, and the maximum size of the pocket is 250 millimeters high from the lower edge of the jacket and 200 millimeters wide. Only one hook, loop, button or similar device may be fastened to the outside of the jacket in the area of the shoulder pad.

The committee also determined that in the event of a range malfunction, the student-athlete will receive time equal to the time lost plus five minutes, which aligns with international protocol.

Also, the rules will specify for the first time that the point of the elbow may not be more than 15 centimeters behind the point of the knee. That is in addition to the existing rule stating that the point of the elbow may not be more than 10 centimeters over the point of the knee.

Other highlights

Men’s and Women’s Rifle Committee

March 21-23/Indianapolis

• Agreed that in the prone position, a sling can still be used to support the rifle, but the fore-end behind the left hand must not rest on the sling or its attachments.

• Voted to eliminate the rule prohibiting set triggers in air rifle.

• Determined that only barrel weights within the radius of 30 millimeters from the center of the barrel are permitted in air rifle. Barrel weights may be moved along the barrel.

• Agreed that front sight of the air rifle must not extend beyond the apparent muzzle of the rifle.

• Voted to prohibit “dry firing” during the finals.