The NSCA Executive Council has proposed and the National Delegates have approved 12 new or changed rules that will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will appear in the 2026 edition of the NSCA Rule Book. The rule changes and rationale for each are explained below.
RULE CHANGE #1: Rule V-A-6-b
The old rule as written on page 22 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book:
The shooter is responsible for entering their scores with the date and score shot on the back of their classification card or, if more space is needed, on a supplemental record form, and to make certain that all placements and punches are properly recorded on their classification card at the conclusion of each NSCA registered tournament. Failure to accurately record scores and punches may lead to suspension from the NSCA.
This rule is being removed, as it is outdated.
RULE CHANGE #2: Rule V-A-6-c-5
The old rule as written on page 23 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book:
In the case of a second or subsequent offense of shooting in a lower class, the shooter will forfeit all winnings and also be barred from registered competition for a minimum of one (1) year and/or terminated from the NSCA.
The highlighted word “also” is being changed to “may” to allow flexibility to apply the rule in a fair manner in the event of mistakes. This change was requested by NSCA management due to problems with inflexibility in the old rule.
RULE CHANGE #3: Rule VI-I-6
The old rule as written on page 41 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book, with highlighted verbiage being added:
In the event that a station(s) must be eliminated from the competition and results must be determined on less than the original number of targets intended for the competition, shoot officials must give all competitors (whether they shot the station(s) or not) credit for all targets planned for the eliminated station(s) and must report the total number of targets shot at as originally intended (i.e., 100, 150, 200, etc.) to NSCA Headquarters. Shoot Management is responsible for determining if a station must be eliminated from competition.
The highlighted text is added to assign responsibility to shoot management for determining if a station must be eliminated from competition.
RULE CHANGE #4: Rule VII-B-6
The following new rule (7) is being added to page 45 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book:
The use of micro cameras mounted on shotguns or any optical aiming device is forbidden.
The reason for this new rule is to prevent unfair competitive advantage for shooters using cameras in competition.
RULE CHANGE #5: Rule VII-D-1
The following new rule (c) is being added to page 46 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book:
Shooters are not allowed to change assigned squads or shoot times without permission of shoot management. Shooters in violation of this rule will be submitted to shoot management to assess penalties. Penalties may include: warning, loss of targets from final score, or disqualification from that event or shoot.
The reason for this new rule is that there is a problem with shooters changing squads or shoot times without permission from registration or shoot management. This creates problems with short squads and large slow squads. The rule was requested by registrars and course managers.
RULE CHANGE #6: Rule VII-H-4
The following new rule (c) is being added to page 53 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book:
Rabbit targets thrown using a ramp or other device to cause hops or change in direction are "No Bird" if the target misses the ramp or device.
The reason for this new rule is to clarify what is a normal trajectory for a rabbit to improve consistency in scoring rabbits.
RULE CHANGE #7: Rule VII-I-4 Pertaining to NSCA 5-Stand
The highlighted new rule (d) is being added to page 55 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book, in reference to current rules VII-I-4-b & c:
b. Shooters may not leave their station until instructed to do so by the referee or until the last shooter has fired his/her last shot.
c. May only load their gun while in shooting stand in ready position.
d. Penalties for violating rules b & c: First offense = warning. Second offense = loss of one target from total score of targets on that field. Third offense = Failure to Comply. Shooter is referred to course manager to present to Protest Committee or Shoot Management. Penalty for "Failure to Comply" may be one target for each offense, zero score for that field of competition, or disqualification.
The reason for the rule is to add penalties for violations of NSCA 5-Stand rules to improve consistency in the rules and how penalties are applied.
RULE CHANGE #8: Rule VII-I-4 Pertaining to NSCA 5-Stand
On page 55 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book, the following new rule (g) is added, relative to NSCA 5-Stand:
g. Malfunctions: Shooter is allowed one gun or ammunition malfunction per 25-target event. Targets not attempted due to second or greater malfunctions are scored as lost targets.
The reason for the new rule is to better align the number of allowed 5-Stand malfunctions with Sporting rules. Previously, three (3) malfunctions were allowed per 25 targets, or 12 malfunctions for a 100-target competition.
The final four rules pertaining to Super Sporting were implemented for these reasons:
To update rules to improve consistency in how the game is played throughout the USA.
To bring rules into better alignment with sporting clays rules.
To update our rules to reflect Super Sporting rules used by our international partners (UK and Australia).
To differentiate NSCA Super Sporting from New Style FITASC or “Club Sporting” that are controlled by FITASC.
RULE CHANGE #9: Rule VII-J-2
The previous rule as written on page 55 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book:
Course layouts must have minimum 3 traps on each station.
The new rule is:
Super Sporting course may be set on an existing Sporting course or set up in a separate area. Each shooting stand must have a minimum of three traps, and all traps must be identified by either alphabetical letters or numerical numbers from left to right of the shooting stand.
RULE CHANGE #10: Rule VII-J
The highlighted text is being added to the current rule as written on page 55 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book:
Shooters may only view single targets when viewing target presentations. Targets are viewed in numeric or alphabetical order.
RULE CHANGE #11: Rule VII-J
The following new rule (5) is being added to page 55 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book:
Each shooter shoots entire menu during their turn to shoot.
RULE CHANGE #12: Rule VII-J
The following new rule (6) is being added to page 55 of the 2025 NSCA Rule Book:
Registered Super Sporting must have a minimum of 50 targets.
For any questions on the rule changes, please contact NSCA Assistant Director Nichole Bowers, nbowers@nssa-nsca.com.