Forced Kneeling

[MartyMcFly]

Being “only” in my 40s, in reasonable shape and into my 2nd year of FT, I can’t say I would object doing away with forced positions.

That said, I’m afraid that in the US we will not see this sport grow as quickly as it could because most shooters starting out are past their mid 30s and the majority of the regulars are in their 50s and up.

Given the general dislike of shooting sports by media/certain politicians, I also doubt we will see this sport grow among the young. Heck, our Pres just tried to cut funding to schools that have archery and shooting programs. Let’s be honest, FT isn’t a young man’s game even if the rules aren’t friendly to older folks.

I’m certain there are reasonable solutions that would still allow all participants to test their skills in these lanes while keeping it fair. For example, if you can’t kneel/stand then you should be awarded only a quarter point or take a penalty. The challenge is there for the hardcore guys/gals and the satisfaction is also there for the less nimble guys/gals.

-Marty

 

[Loopster]

If my "Old Timers" isn't talking, I remember 2013 AAFTA Rule changes regarding the kneeling positions and "detatched bipods" caused quite a stir. But, the fun continues.

 

[scotton]

If my "Old Timers" isn't talking, I remember 2013 AAFTA Rule changes regarding the kneeling positions and "detatched bipods" caused quite a stir. But, the fun continues.

Those were some good fights.

 

[Chas DiCapua]

You can shoot prone instead of sitting on a bum bag on any non-forced postition lanes (standing and kneeling), but you may have difficulty seeing the targets. Unless the match director sets up the course with the prone position in mind, many targets will be hidden/blocked.

Chas

 

[Kdog]

Who wants to critique this?

 

[beerthief]

Who wants to critique this?

View attachment 382530

what i get from the description and picture in the rules , his foot has to be toe (bent forward on ground )to heel vertical and straight in line with his leg and i do not think butt can touch foot but not sure on that one . Heal has to be 90 degrees of the ground or straight vertical . sole of boot is vertical .

 

[trlrman]

He put his socks on his scope instead of on his feet ?

 

[Kdog]

He put his socks on his scope instead of on his feet ?

Great catch ....I initially thought it was his underwear since he got plumbers ass going on as well.

 

[humbled.ag]

His knee would have to be on the ground to consider it a "kneeling" position.

 

[Motorhead]

can a person choose to go prone instead of a bum bag but still kneel or stand in thoes lanes ?

No you Cannot .... prone is the MOST stable of the 3 forced positions. If you can't shoot offhand your out of options .. try your best of take Zeros and walk away..

Most difficult to easiest / or most accurate ...
1) Offhand / standing
2) Kneeling
3) Prone

 

[Scotchmo]

No you Cannot .... prone is the MOST stable of the 3 forced positions. If you can't shoot offhand your out of options .. try your best of take Zeros and walk away

Prone is no longer a forced (designated) position in AAFTA. It was removed beginning with the 2014 rules.

Prone or variations of prone can still be used in free position lanes.

 

[thane]

Kill zone size plays into the dislike. If they were huge/close and easy hits for forced lanes you would hear fewer to no complaints.
If I can clean both forced position lanes it feels way better than high score for match.

 

[scotton]

Who wants to critique this?

I wouldn't cuss at you for shooting this way, but there's a better way.
1. Get the kneeling roll back under your boot laces and your knee on the ground. Floating on your ankle means you are holding yourself up with your hip flexor and right hamstring.
2. Lean back a little and instead of putting your bicep on your knee, lay your forearm along your thigh. Your wrist has to be in front of your knee, so curl it up like a witch and it's very stable and easy to maintain.

That's my secret for a good kneeling position. The whole thing is built around the top of your forearm laying on top of your thigh, then you figure out how to move your knees and butt to get the gun in position. A hamster or palm rest helps a lot, just as with off hand.

 

[Franklink]

Seems to be lots of dread and loathing for the kneeling (and offhand as well) in this thread.

I must be an outlier....cuz I approach them as my opportunity to either maintain my lead, or perhaps gain a couple shots back over whoever I think might be in the lead above me.

I guess I look at them with a glass half-full approach.

 

[beerthief]

No you Cannot .... prone is the MOST stable of the 3 forced positions. If you can't shoot offhand your out of options .. try your best of take Zeros and walk away..

Most difficult to easiest / or most accurate ...
1) Offhand / standing
2) Kneeling
3) Prone

you misunderstood my question , i was asking if a person could use prone instead of bucket and sticks or a bum bag seated position but still obey the forced lanes ? I would guess not as it is the most stable ,

 

[scotton]

you misunderstood my question , i was asking if a person could use prone instead of bucket and sticks or a bum bag seated position but still obey the forced lanes ? I would guess not as it is the most stable ,

you can shoot any lane prone except for the forced lanes.

edit: you are allowed to shoot any lane prone except for the forced lanes. Doesn't mean that the MD has to make the lanes shootable from prone. Most matches I attend, there might be one or two lanes that you COULD shoot prone. The others will be difficult due to grass or humps and bumps in the lane obscuring the kill zones. When we set a course at ASC, we check the targets from a bum bag and a bucket to make sure they are shootable.

 

[Motorhead]

Yes prone is allowed as stated above .... NO attached bipod and IIRC rifle butt may not contact the ground at any time.
Yea here out west, it would not be wise being we don't clear lanes that low & at times the folks shooting deadman position have issues with a clear path to target.

 

[Motorhead]

Who wants to critique this?

View attachment 382530

His belly is likely against his upper thy of left leg
His Knee is NOT contacting the ground and he is sitting on his shin to roll to ground & Not of the heel of his foot.

Above IS NOT LEGAL

His Socks are being used incorrectly ... Lol

 

[Scotchmo]

…Doesn't mean that the MD has to make the lanes shootable from prone….

They are supposed to set targets so that they are visible from any shooting position, but some don’t. However, there are plenty of venues where they do follow the course setting rules, where you could shoot all of the non-designated targets from a low position, including prone. But if I suspect that there will be obstructed targets, I bring a higher seat with me.

“G. Hit Zone must be clearly visible from any shooting position, or from the designated position on Forced Position shots.

H. Any obstruction (grass, tree limb, etc.) shall be related to the Chief Marshal and removed prior to the first competitor shooting a lane. …”

 

[Franklink]

They are supposed to set targets so that they are visible from any shooting position, but some don’t. However, there are plenty of venues where they do follow the course setting rules, where you could shoot all of the non-designated targets from a low position, including prone. But if I suspect that there will be obstructed targets, I bring a higher seat with me.

“G. Hit Zone must be clearly visible from any shooting position, or from the designated position on Forced Position shots.

H. Any obstruction (grass, tree limb, etc.) shall be related to the Chief Marshal and removed prior to the first competitor shooting a lane. …”

Outside of shooting in a flat dirt/gravel parking lot, that makes it nearly impossible to accommodate Deadman or prone where the muzzle is 6-8inches off the ground.

Field target matches in natural environments really complete the whole experience for me. Grass, logs, rocks, rises in the terrain, all are part of what makes an interesting and enjoyable ft course.

Ie. If you're going to choose to shoot from a position that no one else at the match is using then dragging along your little stage to sit on to elevate your muzzle is a great idea.