Initial classification???

[260 Striker]

When a shooter shoots his/her first entry in a new category how do the MDs establish the classification for that person? Now I know the rule book says the first score shot will determine the classification but I personally know that some MDs will place that new shooter in one class below the initial score shot and then consider that person to have one leg into the next higher class. Many times a shooter competing in a new category will get lucky on their first entry and then shoot many future matches in classes below that initial entry. I suspect this may be done at many clubs and just wonder if this should be considered for a change to the rule book. I actually had this happen to me when I shot my first US big bore entry. I never could shoot a US score in my class after that first lucky match.

[braud357]

The "leg-up" classification is actually the old rule. I think that the intent of the rule, as it is written, is to recognize skill levels in the shooter. if you were good enough to shoot this score once, you are good enough to fire that score again. The same can be said to shooters having high classifications that cannot shoot at that level - for whatever reason. I personally am a "victim of this - I am S-INT in both Big-Bore and Smallbore. Am I still capable of firing INT-class scores - NO ! But I will never apply for a reduction in class - I worked too hard for those classifications in the past. A couple of weeks ago I fired my initial score in Practical Hinter-Long Course. I cannot be accused of "sandbagging" as my score was 40x40. So, I am in International class ! I have no problem with that !! I think that the competition is real no matter the class of the shooters. We all rise according to our own ability, and nothing hones shooting skill more than friendly competition, be it against fellow shooters or against yourself ! We are our own main adversary !