If you shoot registered sporting clays with a ShotKam, barrel-mounted camera, smart glasses, or any other electronic recording device, there's an important rule change you need to know.
The National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) has updated Rule VII-B-7 to clarify what electronic devices are permitted during registered competition. While many shooters immediately wondered if the change was aimed at products like ShotKam, the answer is that the rule is intended to address an entire category of electronic devices—not just one specific product.
What's Changed?
Previously, the rule prohibited "micro cameras mounted on shotguns or any optical aiming device." While that language addressed the technology available at the time, it left room for questions as new products entered the market.
The revised rule now states that while a shooter is in the shooting stand during a registered event, they may not use any device capable of:
Recording video or images
Displaying live video or images
Transmitting information
Providing verbal feedback
Communicating with other electronic devices
The rule also makes it clear that wearing, mounting, or using these devices during competition is prohibited.
Why the Change?
Electronic technology has advanced dramatically in recent years.
Today's products go far beyond simple action cameras. Some devices can stream video in real time, connect wirelessly to smartphones, provide audio prompts, or incorporate artificial intelligence. Rather than trying to identify every new product as it enters the market, the NSCA chose to update the rule based on what these devices are capable of doing.
The clarification is intended to eliminate gray areas and ensure that all competitors shoot under the same conditions during registered events.
What About ShotKam?
For registered NSCA competition, a ShotKam or similar barrel-mounted recording camera cannot be mounted on the firearm or used while the shooter is in the stand.
That doesn't diminish its value as a training tool. In fact, many shooters consider ShotKam to be one of the most effective instructional aids available for improving their game. By recording each shot from the shooter's perspective, it allows shooters and instructors to review exactly where the gun was when the trigger was pulled, making it easier to identify issues with lead, gun movement, hold point, or timing. Instead of guessing why a target was missed, shooters can often see the mistake frame by frame.
For practice sessions and coaching, devices like ShotKam continue to be excellent tools for developing consistency and building confidence. The updated rule simply separates training technology from equipment permitted during registered competition.
As electronic shooting accessories continue to evolve, the revised rule provides clearer guidance for competitors while still allowing these technologies to play an important role in practice and instruction.