REVISED DECEMBER 2008

GENERAL: This is a 100% handicap League with no cap. Teams compete each week shooting two rounds of skeet, for a total of 50 targets. NSSA rules apply except as modified in subsequent paragraphs or by a Grievance Jury. The SAWS League will normally run from mid-Jan to mid-April depending on circumstances each year. Club activities which take place during this timeframe may preclude the League from shooting an certain individual Sundays. Generally, this is a short-term League lasting 7-9 weeks, and is focused on introducing new shooters, youth, and spouses to the sport.

SAFETY: Safety is paramount and is the Number One concern on the shooting range. NSSA and Club range rules will apply to all aspects of the SAWS League. Since safety is the most important aspect of fun competition on the field, every Team will have at least one experienced shooter on their squad. Because all Teams will likely have one or more inexperienced or new shooters on the same team, experienced shooters shall provide assistance and guidance to these new/inexperienced shooters with particular emphasis on safety. Other shooters acting as Referees/Scorers need to pay special attention to safety at all times and must keep a watchful eye out for potential hazards which if unaddressed could pose a serious risk to the shooter, and/or other squad members, and/or spectators. Additionally, as Club resources allow a Shotgun Safety Course will be offered to new shooters in the hour preceding the start of League activities on the first Sunday of the League. It is encouraged that Team Captains invite their new shooters to attend this course which is offered by the Club's Safety Officer.

TEAMS: A Team will consist of a roster of no more than six shooters (with one individual identified as the Team Captain). A minimum of two shooters on the Team roster must participate each Sunday or the Team will forfeit (see Forfeit below). Alternates (not a member of any Team, see Alternates below) can be used so as not to exceed six shooters, but only when a Team has less than six regular members present. No Shoot-Aheads are allowed in the SAWS League. Alternate shooters may be used on any Sunday of the SAWS League.

Teams consisting of five or fewer members are allowed (i.e. a five-man Team), due to the handicap of only having five (or less) members, to substitute freely for the sixth shooter. However, a five-man Team must pick up the club per round costs of the Alternate shooter (Currently: $2/member). Further, any five-man Team that uses the same Alternate for more than half the League will "adopt" that Alternate as a Team Member and become the sixth-man on the Team for the remaining weeks of the League. The "adopted" Alternate shall be responsible for any remaining League fees and will coordinate with the League Secretary.

ALTERNATES: Teams may use up to four (4) Alternates to substitute for missing Team Members to obtain the maximum of six shooters, but a Team may not consist of more than six shooters. An Alternate cannot shoot on more than one Team on any given day. Arranging for Alternates is the responsibility of each Team and not the League Secretary. A listing of potential Alternates is provided by the League Secretary. These shooters have volunteered to serve as Alternates and may be called when it is known that a Team member is going to be absent. Alternates are not restricted to only the list provided. Anyone may be used as an Alternate at the discretion of the Team Captain. Last minute Alternate needs, for no-shows, can frequently be found in the Club House by public announcement. A Team Member from one Team cannot act as an Alternate on a different Team.

SHOOT-AHEADS: The SAWS League does not use shoot-aheads in any capacity. All shooting will occur on the Sundays and times scheduled and the use of Alternates is highly encouraged.

HANDICAP: On the first Sunday of a SAWS League, handicaps will be computed and added to the individual scores after the shoot. On the second Sunday of the SAWS League, handicaps from the first week will be used and added to the scores for the second week. Thereafter, the established handicap for each shooter will be used on each Sunday and will always be calculated using the last four rounds shot for each shooter. Handicap will be 100% of the difference between a shooter's average of the last 100 targets (4 rounds), when established, and 25. Handicaps will change weekly and will be based on the last 100 targets (4 rounds) fired.

SCORING: The highest four individual scores with handicap will be used to compute the team score for each round. If only three Team members are present and no Alternates are available, the lowest handicap score of the three shooters each round will be used as a fourth score to compute the team score. If only two Team members are present and one Alternate is used, the lowest handicap score of the three shooters each round will be used as a fourth score to compute the Team score. One point is awarded to the Team winning the first round, one point for the second round, and one point for the high total of both rounds; ties divide the points. In some forfeit situations, a Team may be awarded only 2 points.

ODD NUMBER OF TEAMS: Generally, the SAWS League can accommodate between 5 and 18 teams, inclusive, shooting from 5 - 11 weeks inclusive. If there are an odd number of teams, the Team "X" Concept may be used, unless a schedule can be used that offers the same number of byes to each team. This occurs when the number of weeks can equal the number of teams.

The Team "X" Concept --- In the event the number of shooters signed up (available) dictates an odd number of teams, one team will be scheduled to compete against the scores of Team "X" each week (rather than have a "bye"). The Team to provide the scores for Team X will be selected at random from among the other teams weekly. The team representing Team X only competes against its regularly scheduled opponent (i.e., it receives no points from the match involving Team X).

FORFEITS: A Forfeit occurs if less than two Team Members are present to shoot (see TEAMS above). A Team with at least two members and with at least one Alternate, but no more than four Alternates, may compete (A Team consists of no more than 6 people). A Team using no Alternates must have at least 3 Team members to compete. It is possible for a Team to forfeit either round, or both rounds, if these conditions are not met. For example, if three Team members compete in the first round, but one Team member becomes sick and does not shoot in the second round and no Alternate is available, then Team will forfeit the second round.

If a forfeit occurs, the opposing team must not forfeit to be awarded points for their Team; otherwise, if each Team forfeits each team is awarded 0 points. Any scores posted by either team will not be used to compute averages and handicaps, but will be used at League's end in determining winners of individual awards.

Finally, it is the perogative of each Team Captain and each individual shooter to choose not to shoot/compete on any particular Sunday. If League shooting has not been formally Cancelled by the League Secretary (see Cancellations) and a Team chooses not to compete or begins a round and chooses not to finish then they do so with the understanding that they will forfeit that round(s).

GUNS: FRGC range rules apply regarding appropriate guns and ammunition. Unique guns or special circumstances may require a Special Use Permit that will be the responsibility of the Team Captain to obtain. Within those rules, any gauge gun may be used during a League. Generally, this means that the following can be used - 12, 16, 20, 28 gauges and the 410-bore. Also, side-by-sides, pump-actions, over-and-unders, and semi-automatics are usually the shotguns most often used. If there is any question please contact the League Secretary for clarification. If desired, a shooter may change to a smaller gauge gun during the course of a League, but then must stay with the smaller gun ("rachet-effect"). Under no circumstances can a shooter change to a larger gauge once a League has commenced. Likewise, shooters are not to change to a more open choke or make any other mechanical change during a League with the sole intent to improve scores. Team Captains are responsible to insure compliance.

TIME LIMITS/LATE SHOOTERS: The SAWS League will use either a two, three, or four flight format for its Leagues. Generally, beginning at 1:30 pm and ending no later than 6:30 pm, Teams are expected to be off the field as quickly as possible to allow the next Team to begin. Shooters arriving late may join their squad in any manner that is convenient at the discretion of the referee.

REFEREES/SCORE SHEETS: If there are an even number of flights (two or four), the Team scheduled for first or third flight on a field shall provide a referee for the next Team on that field, and vice versa. In the special case of three flights, the first flight provides the referee for the second flight, the second flight provides a referee for the third flight and the third flight will provide a referee for the first flight. In the absence of a referee, the Team must referee for itself.

Team Captains (or other designated Team individual) are to retrieve and fill out score sheets for their own Team. The SAWS League Secretary shall provide clipboards and pencils each week. Team Captains are responsible to return the completed score sheets to the League Secretary at the conclusion of their Team shooting. The last Team on the field shall return their completed score sheet and the clipboard to the SAWS League Secretary.

RESOLUTION OF TIES/AWARDS: In the event of a tie for Team Awards, the winner will be determined by the results of head-to-head competition between the Teams during regular League competition. If the head-to-head match was tied, or if the Teams did not compete against each other, the place awards for the tied Teams will be determined by which Team was Most Improved. For any individual to receive an individual award they must compete in more than half the League. Ties for High Average will be resolved by Most Improved. Ties for Most Straights, High Score with Handicap, and Most Improved will be resolved by High Overall Average. In the event High Overall Average is also tied then duplicate awards may be given at the descretion of the SAWS League Secretary. When a shooter qualifies for more than one individual award, the SAWS League Secretary shall make a unilateral decision to either provide the individual with both awards or select one award and provide the next-in-line shooter with the other award. The SAWS League Secretary also has unilateral authority to generate and use other awards such as a Good Sportsmanship Award to foster a continued interest in skeet shooting.

CANCELLATIONS: When, due to dangerous weather, snow, or ice make driving or range conditions hazardous a notice of cancellation will be telephoned to Team Captains no later than 11:30 am Sunday morning. If snow or rain begins once shooting has started then matches will be scored unless there is a safety concern such as lightning. The decision to cancel League shooting is the responsibility of the League Secretary.

GRIEVANCE JURY: Any Team Captain can request a Grievance Jury to resolve any issue or concern. The Grievance Jury shall consists of Team Captains and the League Secretary and each shall be allowed a single vote by ballot. If the League Secretary is also a Team Captain, they may only vote once. A notice shall be provided by the League Secretary to the Club Safety Committee (Shotgun Chairman, Rifle/Pistol Chairman and Club Safety Officer) that a Grievance Jury has been requested and, if possible, they (or their designees) should be in attendance, as observers. In the event of a tie vote, the Club Shotgun Chairman should cast the deciding vote, provided they are not the League Secretary or a Team Captain. Next in line would be the Club Safety Officer, then the Club President. It is strongly suggested that issues/concerns be addressed at the lowest level possible.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING PRACTICE ROUNDS: In accordance with FRGC Range Rules (Section III, Rule 1, Rule 2, and Rule 3) which states that non-members can shoot only as guests of members, non-members in the SAWS League who desire to shoot practice rounds prior to, or after, the matches may do so only if they are participating with a Club Member acting as their sponsor with the following exception. FRGC Range Rules (Section III, Rule 3) states "Guests participating in Club-sponsored matches may practice only on the range so designated for that event..." which is interpreted to mean that on a regularly scheduled SAWS League Sunday, guests may practice before/after the SAWS League matches on the fields reserved for the SAWS League. It is strongly encouraged that Guests contact their Team Captains if they will be practicing before or after SAWS League activities. Furthermore, SAWS League shooters so participating are requested to be especially careful that all practice rounds - both member and non-member - are paid for in the clubhouse prior to leaving on Sunday evening. Furthermore, there is a tendency of many League shooters to want to shoot several extra targets prior to or after the match -(i.e. give me a double at station 2, or give me another low 8, etc,) and these targets are used but rarely paid for. Team Captains please watch this closely and encourage shooters to pay for these targets.

FEES: SAWS League fees will be announced on the schedule in advance of a season's shooting and will be in accordance with club policy. Team Captains are responsible for collecting League fees and/or seeing that they are turned into the League Secretary not later than the second shooting week. Fees consist of the cost of rounds, club use fee, Awards/Plaques fee and administrative costs. If paying by check, then make it out to the "Fairfax Rod and Gun Club." There are no refunds with the exception of someone who finds it necessary to drop out of the League within the first two weeks (before the first shot is fired on the 3rd week of shooting) - a 75% refund will be provided.