Wednesday, March 01, 2017

New World's Record - CFDA Rules

jon spencer asked in comments:
Does the record have to be backed up with a time like they do in drag racing and in the same vein will there eventually be a way to tell if the gun moves before the light comes on?
Good question, Jon, The answer can be found in the Gunslinger's Guidelines, which is found here.  But, in the interest of brevity, I've excerpted the pertinent rule here.
ANTICIPATION: The Competitor cannot move the gun in the holster after the shooting command “set” and before the start light comes on. Furthermore, any shot fired that is faster than the current World Record, must be backed up within 3 hundredths of a second before the round is over. If a competitor has not fired a shot within 3 hundredths of a second in the current round, an additional three attempts will be awarded. If the shot in question is not backed-up, then the shot will be considered “anticipated” and will result in a Procedural Penalty (PV), which is a Loss of Shot.
Note: If a competitor successfully backs up a time faster than the Current World Record in a Class A or B CFDA Titled Championship, then they shall be declared the New World Record Holder, which shall be kept up to date on the CFDA Website. There shall be separate World Records for Men’s and Ladies Division. Hosts must notify CFDA immediately.
So, yeah, the short answer is that you have to back up a World's Record shot, and you have to do it within the round of competition, or in three additional shots.   The back-up time is 3/100ths of a second.  If you can't back it up, it's ruled an anticipation, and the competitor is penalized.

Additionally, in every competition, every shooter is assigned a Hand Judge who's job, among other things is to watch the shooter, assist him as allowed, and make sure that safety rules are followed.  One of the main tasks of the hand judge is to make sure that the gun does not move in the holster between the SET command and the start light.

At Kentucky State last year, I had the most magnificent anticipation ever seen.  Something made me jump the light, and I had the gun out and on target before the light came on.  I lauged, holstered the gun, and took the PV.  Everybody anticipates occasionally.

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