I ISAC Rules

II Policy on Disruptive or Unsafe Behavior

III Appendix

A. Statement of Intent for Interpreting the ISAC rule

B. Guidelines for Dealing with Disruptive or Unsafe Behavior

C. Duties of the Score Keeper

D. WAA Safety Guidelines

I WORLD ATLATL ASSOCIATION STANDARD ACCURACY CONTEST (ISAC Rules)

The purpose of these rules is to provide contests that will be as identical as possible no matter when or where they take place. This degree of standardization makes it possible for atlatlists to compare their ability with others around the world without having face to face competition. The contest will also be used to identify the most accurate atlatlists in the world for any given year. Contestants are encouraged to compete several times during the year using either Primitive or Open Equipment. The highest score thrown during the year will be used for ranking purposes. Men and women of all ages will compete in the same contest. The WAA may, at its own discretion, make separate awards based on age, gender, and type of equipment used. Since this is a year long contest, the WAA will present any awards at the end of the throwing year.

To aid people in the interpretation of these rules and to help ensure that contests are as identical as possible, a statement of intent has been attached to these rules (Appendix A)

1

TARGET

1.1

The target used is a bulls-eye target having the following dimensions:

X-ring 10.0 cm diameter

10-ring 24.0 cm diameter

9-ring 40.0 cm diameter

8-ring 56.0 cm diameter

7-ring 80.0 cm diameter

6-ring 108.0 cm diameter

The total dimensions of the target must be large enough that there will be at least 5 cm of space between the 6-ring and the edge of the target.

1.2

The area between the X- and 10 rings is to be black to form the bullseye. The area of the X-ring may be left uncolored or, optionally, may be painted any color desired. The coloring of both the x- and 10-rings must be done in such a way that the compass lines used to mark the rings are still visible. This is necessary for precise scoring.

1.3

A target may be used without a backstop such as hay bales or similar materials. With this usage the holes in the target are to be patched with tape at the end of each round of throwing.

1.4

The target is to be placed so the center of the bullseye is between 80 and 110 cm above the surface of the ground.

2

EQUIPMENT

2.1

There are two classifications of equipment: Primitive and Open.

2.2

For Primitive equipment, both the atlatl and the darts must be made of natural materials that would have been available to prehistoric people. Copper points are considered to be primitive.

2.2a

Modern glues and artificial sinew are exceptions to above rule 2.2.

2.2b

The maximum diameter of the dart, including the point but excepting the fletching, must not exceed 19.0mm (.748 in). In other words, the unfletched dart would pass through a ring having a 19.0mm inside diameter.

2.2c

The contest organizers are required to have on hand a suitable 19.0 mm gauge to ensure that dart diameters are consistent with rule 2.2b.

2.3

There are no restrictions on material or design for Open equipment except that rule 2.2b applies to Open equipment.

2.4

The same atlatl and dart must be used throughout the contest.

2.4a

If equipment is broken during a throw, it may be replaced and the contestant will be allowed to repeat the throw.

2.4b

An exception to rule 2.4a is that if a contestant deliberately breaks his own equipment by throwing it, slamming it into the ground, or similar unsportsman like behavior, the equipment will not be replaced and the contestant must leave the contest immediately.

3

DISTANCES

3.1

The complete contest consists of ten consecutive throws, five throws each from 15 and 20 meters distance for a total of ten.

3.1a

The 15 meter portion of the contest will be thrown first.

3.2

The throwing distance must be clearly marked by a line at least three meters long.

3.2a

If a contestant steps on or over the line while throwing, any score from that throw will not count towards the total.

4

CONDUCT OF THE CONTEST

4.1

The WAA guidelines on safety and behavior apply to this contest.

4.2

Each flight must have a designated score keeper before beginning to throw.

4.3

In each round the contestants are to throw in turn a single dart at the target. At the end of each round the contestants will rotate so that the contestant that was first the previous round will move to the last position and the contestant that was second will move to first and so on for each round. At the end of five rounds, each member of a five man flight will have thrown from each position in the rotation.

4.4

The size of a flight allowed to throw at a single target during a round shall not exceed five contestants nor contain less than three contestants.

4.4a

When there is more than one flight, the contestants are to be divided so that the flights are as equal in size as possible.

4.4b

If a contestant is removed from a three man flight for either unsafe or disruptive behavior, the remaining members of the flight will finish the contest by alternating turns of throwing first.

4.5

No darts are to be removed from the target during a round until all of the members of a flight have thrown their dart.

4.5a

An exception to rule 4.5 is that the score keeper may allow the removal of a dart that has stuck at such an angle from the perpendicular that it is in danger of being broken by subsequent throws.

4.5b

A dart that is reasonably parallel to a line between the target and the throwing line is not to be removed regardless of its position in the target.

4.5c

The score keeper is the final judge of whether or not a dart can be pulled before all members of a flight have thrown to complete the round.

4.6

The contestants are not to touch or remove any dart from the target until authorized by the score keeper.

4.7

Contest organizers are to ensure that additional targets are available if needed to replace those that have become hard to score due to taking many hits.

4.8

A contestant is limited to participating in the World Atlatl Association Standard Accuracy Contest only one time during a given day. Re-entry type contests where a competitor is allowed to repeat a contest several times during the same day are specifically forbidden.

5

SCORING

5.1

To score the dart must either stick, distal end first, or pass through the target.

5.2

The score for a given throw is based on the highest scoring area touched by the hole in the target.

5.3

No score is given for hits that do not at least touch the 6-ring.

5.4

The scorekeeper is the final judge of the score given for any throw.

5.4a

Any dart that ricochets off of the ground before hitting the target will be scored a miss.

5.4b

If a thrower "miscues" by letting a dart slip off of the spur while throwing and the dart travels far enough that the back end of the dart is more than 2.0 meters from the throwing line it will be counted as a "throw" and scored accordingly.

5.4c

If a thrown dart sticks into the nock, however briefly, of a dart already sticking in the target, and is effectively blocked from reaching the target, the throw will be given the same score as the dart that was struck. This procedure will be used whether or not the thrown dart actually sticks in the nock of the dart already in the target or merely hits in the nock but fails to stick and falls to the ground. The key is that the second dart was blocked from reaching the target.

5.4d

Any dart that ricochets off of darts already sticking in the target before itself sticking into the target will be scored on the basis of where it hits the target.

5.5

In case of a tie, the contestant having the most "X's" will be declared the winner.

5.5a

If the tie is not broken by rule 5.5 the contestant having the most hits scoring ten will be declared the winner. If the tie still is not broken, the contestant with the most nines will be declared the winner. This process will continue using the most eights, and then the most sevens until the tie is broken.

5.5b

If rule 5.5a does not break the tie the contestants will be declared co-winners.

6

ADMINISTRATIVE

6.1

Any questions regarding these rules should be addressed to John Whittaker, Anthropology Department, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA 50112, phone: 641-236-775 (home) 641-269-3447 (office) email: whittake@grinnell.edu. Any suggestions for changes in the rules, including the reasons for such changes, should also be sent to this address. Scores should also be sent to this address or to whoever is appointed official WAA scorekeeper.

6.2

The contest organizers are responsible for all aspects of the contest. This responsibility includes, but is not restricted to the following: Ensuring that target dimensions and distances are correct. Use of the correct score sheets and submitting the results on time. Checking target backings to ensure that a well-thrown dart will stick rather than bounce off of the target.

6.2a

The contest organizer is responsible for having complete copies of the ISAC Rule Package on hand for use as needed by either contestants for score keepers.

6.2b

The contest organizer is responsible for selecting qualified persons to act as score keepers.

6.3

Only scores from a scheduled open contest will be accepted for record. A scheduled open contest is defined as a contest that has had the date and location published in THE ATLATL prior to the contest taking place.

6.3a

The information on contests to be published in THE ATLATL is to be sent only to the Executive Secretary who will keep the official contest list. It should be noted that the publishing deadline for any issue of THE ATLATL is the fifteenth day of the month prior to the date of issue.

6.3b

Since THE ATLATL is published only quarterly, organizers missing a publishing deadline can seek approval for a contest by contacting the WAA Executive Secretary. The request must be received in writing at least 45 days before the date of the projected contest. A committee consisting of the Executive Secretary, The Official WAA Scorekeeper, and a third member appointed by the President will rule on whether or not the contest will be approved. A simple majority is required for approval. The request for approval must include how the contest will be publicized, and a statement as to why the organizers need this approval instead of scheduling their contest so that it can be announced in the next issue of THE ATLATL. Listing the contest in THE ATLATL is the preferred method.

6.4

To be accepted for record the scores must be submitted in the form of the original score sheets. The WAA official score sheet must be used for reporting all contest results. The organizers are to retain copies until the end of the throwing season. The organizers are responsible for ensuring that the score sheets are completely filled out and are easy to read. At least one of the persons verifying the scores must be a member of the World Atlatl Association.

6.4a

Official WAA score sheets can be obtained from the Executive Secretary or on line through the WAA web page.

6.4b

Score sheets post marked more than 30 days after the contest will not be accepted for record.

6.4c

Results of all contests, regardless of the scores, are to be sent to the WAA official score keeper.

6.5

The throwing season for a given calendar year will be from January 1 to November 30. The results from contests held in December will not be accepted for record.

6.5a

To be accepted for record, the results of contests held in November must be sent to the WAA official score keeper by December 7.

BASIC POLICY

1

The contest Score Keeper has the authority to remove a contestant from a contest for either unsafe or disruptive behavior. He is expected to exercise this authority according to the guidelines given in the document: "Guidelines for Dealing with Disruptive or Unsafe Behavior".

2

The contest Score Keeper is the sole judge with respect to safety violations.

3

Any contestant that is removed from a contest will forfeit any score that might have been made in that contest.

4

The score sheet will be marked to show that the contestant was disqualified. The Score Keeper will also notify the contest organizer of the disqualification.

5

The contest organizer will notify the Executive Secretary of the disqualification and attach a note to the Official Score Keeper when the score sheets are submitted. Both of these officials will keep a record of all contestants that are disqualified.

ALTERNATE MEANS OF FILING COMPLAINTS ON DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

1

Any WAA member who witnesses what he believes is disruptive behavior that is not dealt with on the spot by the Score Keeper may initiate a complaint. The person, or persons, must notify the contest organizer that same day and before leaving that event that a complaint will be filed. Complaints failing to meet this requirement will not be considered.

2

The contest organizer will meet with the person complaining to ensure that he understands the Guidelines on Behavior that the score keeper must follow and that his complaint must also follow these guidelines. If possible, the score keeper and the alleged offender should be included in this meeting.

3

The complaint must be written, signed, and sent by U.S. mail to the Executive Secretary postmarked within two weeks of the alleged incident. Any supporting statements by witnesses must also be signed and in writing and sent within that same two week period.

4

The Executive Secretary will immediately send copies of the complaint with any supporting statements to the alleged offender and the Executive Committee.

5

If the Executive Committee agrees that the complaint is without merit, they will dismiss it immediately and notify both the complainer and the alleged offender of this action.

6

If the Executive Committee agrees that the complaint has merit, it will ask the alleged offender for any explanations, statements of witnesses, or other evidence on his behalf. After it is requested, the alleged offender will have two weeks to provide this information. All evidence must be signed and in writing. The Executive Committee may do any other investigating that it believes necessary to fairly judge the complaint. If the Score Keeper and other contestants in the same flight as the alleged offender have not made statements, the Executive Secretary should ask for them at this time. At this point, the Executive Committee can either dismiss the complaint or foreword it for action by the complete Board of Directors.

7

A simple majority vote is sufficient to decide if the complaint is valid. All of the parties and the Official Score Keeper will be notified of the result.

8

If the board finds against the alleged offender, he will forfeit the score that he would otherwise have received in that contest.

MULTIPLE OFFENSES OF DISRUPTIVE OR UNSAFE BEHAVIOR

1

For a second offense during the throwing year, the offender will forfeit the score from the contest during which the offense occurred. In addition, any scores by that offender from contests held during the 30 days following that contest will not be accepted by the Official Score Keeper.

2

For a third offense during the throwing year, the offender will forfeit the score from the contest during which the offense occurred. In addition, any scores by that offender from contests held during the next 90 days will not be accepted by the Official Score Keeper.

3

If either the second or third offense is the result of a complaint filed after the contest in which the offense occurred, the penalty period shall start at the date of that contest. This may result in scores being forfeited retroactively.

4

At the end of the throwing year, the slate will be wiped clean for all offenders. The throwing year is from January 1 to November 30.

4a

An exception to Rule 4 is that any penalty periods that are not completed by the end of the throwing year will carry over into the next throwing year. When the penalties have been served, the slate will be wiped clean for those offenders.

January 1, 2005

The WAA standard accuracy contest was originally conceived as a way for any atlatlist in the world to compare his skill level with that of others without having face to face competition. It is obvious, that with a little record keeping, that the same contest can be used to identify the most accurate atlatlists in the world. It was on the latter basis that the contest was proposed at the WAA meeting at Delores, Colorado in 1995. However, for the scores to be comparable, the contests must be truly standard without any "local options". Just because some action is not prohibited does not mean it is legal. The more correct reasoning is that if an action is not specifically permitted it is probably illegal. The rules cannot be kept reasonably short and simple unless this is the accepted premise. It is our belief that the best ones to protect the integrity of this contest are the contestants themselves. No one wants to throw a personal best in a contest that is in any way questionable. Hopefully, this explanation of the purpose behind the rules will result in more standard contests.

The final ranking of atlatlists is based on the best score thrown during the year. The purpose was to encourage individuals to travel to more contests and to put on more contests of their own. It was hoped that this contest would help bring the participants in the sport closer together.

Even though the contest had to be specified well enough to ensure standardization, every effort has been made to keep the number of restrictions at a minimum. Both throw through targets and backstopped targets are allowed. For target height, a range from 80 to 110 cm. above ground for the target center is allowed rather than requiring a fixed distance. This allows organizers more latitude in how they support the target and also provides a way to minimize any effects of having to throw either up or down hill.

The only restriction on equipment is a maximum of 19.0 mm. on dart diameter. It is felt that some maximum is needed in order to keep the simplicity of basing scores on the "highest scoring area touched by the hole in the target". Note that the hole rather than the dart itself is to be scored. The throwing distance is to be marked by a line so that it is easier to judge if a contestant is violating rule 3.2a.

Rule 4.3 provides for a rotation so that at the end of five rounds each member of a five- person squad will have thrown from each position in the rotation. This rotation makes it impossible for any contestant to pick a favorite time to throw and helps to further standardize the situations that each contestant must face.

Rule 5.4c defining the procedure for scoring a dart that hits the back end or nock of a dart already sticking in the target, and is effectively blocked from reaching the target, was taken from archery rules.

Rule 6.3 states that only scores from a "scheduled open contest" will be accepted for record. The purpose behind this rule is that we want only scores thrown under true competitive pressure. The base case for defining a "scheduled open contest" is one that has had the date and location published in THE ATLATL prior to the date of the contest. The presumption is that publication in the newsletter is good enough publicity that people will be aware of the contest and will attend if they so desire. It is also a presumption that the organizers have planned ahead enough that they will carry out a well run contest and enforce all of the rules. Note that the contest has to be published in THE ATLATL prior to the contest taking place. Because of deadlines, printing and mailing times, a contest scheduled for January must appear in the October newsletter to ensure that THE ATLATL has issued prior to the date of the contest. The same is true for any contests scheduled for the same month that the newsletter is to issue. Organizers wishing to schedule events by publication in the newsletter should send the information to the WAA secretary rather than the editor of the newsletter. This is a change from the past. The WAA secretary is now the keeper of the official contest list.

Rule 6.3b provides a method for organizers who missed a publishing deadline to seek approval of a contest.  It should be noted that such approval is not a ìrubber stampî to cover organizers who have not planned ahead.  The request must be in writing and must state the reason that the organizer cannot schedule his contest at a later time so that it can be announced in the next edition of THE ATLATL.  The request will be dealt with by a three person committee rather than by the secretary alone.  This is part of the reason for requiring that the request be received 45 days before the proposed date of the contest.  To expedite approval, it is recommended that such requests be sent simultaneously to all three members of the committee.  The can be contacted as follows:

Courtney Birkett	John Whittaker	Dennis Lantz
1105 Springfield Rd.	Anthropology Dept ; Grinnell College	RR # 1
Williamsburg, VA 23185	Grinnell, IA 50112	Ulster, PA18850
(757) 259-0116	(641) 269-3447	(570) 358-3000
scratchblue@lycos.com	whittake@grinnell.edu	dennislantz@cqservices.com

Revised rules 6.3a and 6.3b are a compromise between a number of points of view and like most compromises will not please everybody. It is hoped that the revisions will force organizers to do more planning ahead and coordinate their contests on a regional basis so that they will not conflict with one another. Hopefully this will lead to even bigger events. We did not wish to totally shut out organizers that missed THE ATLATL deadline from having a contest, but we did want to ensure that this route (6.3b) was used more sparingly than in the past.

Rules 6.4 through 6.4b are all designed to help make the record keeping as simple and accurate as possible. About 450 score sheets were received in l999. The quality of the score sheets has continued to improve, but we still need to do better on legibility and completeness. Mistakes in data entry have been mostly due to poor quality score sheets.

The score keeper has always had the responsibility for ensuring safe behavior during the contest he was scoring. In 2003 the score keeper was given the additional responsibility of controlling any disruptive behavior that might occur in the flight he was scoring. To enforce his decisions the score keeper has the authority to remove contestants, who violate either safety of behavior policies, from the contest. In 2004 a set of guidelines was developed to help the score keeper define what is and is not disruptive behavior. In view of the importance of the score keepers duties and the knowledge required to do them correctly it is necessary that only qualified people fill this role.

Rule 6.2b makes it the responsibility of the contest organizer to select those that will act as score keepers. It is suggested that when the contestants are registering and signing the liability waiver would be a good time to ask qualified people to agree to act as score keepers. Those agreeing would form a pool of score keepers that a flight could call on when ready to throw. The organizer is required to have a complete copy of the ISAC Rules Package on hand for those that might need to review before acting as score keeper (Rule 6.2a).

January 1, 2005

These guidelines are primarily intended to help the ISAC Score Keeper in his duties of dealing with disruptive and/or unsafe behavior. However they can also be used by others who might be called on to judge these situations. These guidelines emphasize disruptive behavior since guidelines on safety have all ready been published by the World Atlatl Association.

Disruptive behavior may include, but is not limited to, any of the following actions by an individual:

 

1. Deliberately distracting or interfering with another competitor in such a way as to affect that competitor's performance.

2. Uncontrolled fits of anger directed at either another competitor or oneself.

3. Shouting, swearing loudly, or otherwise carrying on in a way that is not appropriate for a family event.

The object of the policy is to ensure that the competitive atmosphere is safe, fun, and fair. We want to control disruptive behavior rather than punish people. Warnings by the Score Keeper can be important in heading off such behavior before it actually occurs.

It is recognized that the difference between conduct that is not disruptive and conduct that could be considered disruptive is often a matter of degree. This puts a burden on the Score Keeper to decide when the line is crossed. It is also recognized that with most contestants, any anger that occurs is directed by the thrower towards himself. When a person makes a bad throw, he sometimes speaks to himself, often harshly. This is not always desirable, but it is not necessarily disruptive.

A person who briefly swears at himself, but keeps his voice at conversational level or below, should not be considered disruptive. If he continues this behavior on subsequent throws, or starts to get louder, he should be cautioned on the need to be a less emotional.

Talking quietly to oneself is not disruptive, as long as the person stays far enough away from those who are throwing so as not to distract them.

A disappointed contestant who after the contest leaves the contest area stomping and/or muttering quietly to himself is not guilty of disruptive behavior.

Loud and repeated swearing, particularly after a warning, is grounds for immediate expulsion.

Throwing or deliberate breaking of equipment in a fit of anger is grounds for immediate expulsion.

A temper tantrum is grounds for immediate expulsion. A warning to someone in this irrational state might be a waste of time. However, if the Score Keeper believes that a warning will help control the situation, he should give one.

Vulgar language that is part of a spontaneous celebration is generally better tolerated than when it is spoken in anger. This still might call for a warning.

The Score Keeper should not hesitate to expel someone from the contest whose behavior he finds either unsafe or disruptive. Everyone is to be held to the same standard of behavior regardless of skill level, age, or gender. Remember that if a person is so angry with himself that he is being disruptive, his score is probably already bad. A guideline is to ask yourself if you would put up with this behavior from a child. If you would not, there is even less reason to put up with it from an adult.

The Score Keeper has authority over any contestant that is participating in an ISAC. The contestant has signed a release that also contains an agreement to abide by the WAA rules and code of conduct. This authority extends to a reasonable time immediately before and immediately after the actual contest. The Score Keeper has only moral authority over spectators so he must ask rather than tell them to control any noise and the conduct of their children.

Contest organizers who want to adopt this guideline for contests other than the ISAC are free to do so.

1. The Score Keeper is in charge of the particular group of contestants that he is scoring. Contestants are to obey the Score Keeper as he is responsible for the enforcement of the contest rules and for conducting a safe contest.

2. The Score Keeper has the authority to remove any contestant from the contest who throws or retrieves darts without permission, or otherwise disregards the Score Keeper's directions. This includes warning and/or removing contestants for disruptive behavior. The Score Keeper must be familiar with the policies and guidelines for dealing with both unsafe and disruptive behavior.

3. The Score Keeper must be familiar with the current ISAC rules as he/she may be required to render judgement under those rules. These include: Removal of darts during a round before all of the members of the squad have thrown their dart (Rules 4.5 through 4.5c). Ruling on miscues per Rule 5.4b and "Robin Hooding" per Rule 5.4c.

4. The duties of the Score Keeper with respect to safety include, but are not limited to: Observing the target area to ensure that it is safe to throw a dart. Giving each contestant permission to throw when it is safe. Announcing when it is safe to collect thrown darts. Ensuring that everyone is not only behind the throwing line, but well away from the current thrower, before starting the next round of throws.

5. After meeting the flight of throwers, the Score Keeper is to ensure that they are accurately and legibly listed on the score sheet with complete information as to residence.

6. He should then remind the contestants that they are not to throw or go foreword to collect darts without permission. This is a good time to remind the squad that they are not to touch or remove darts from the target without permission (Rule 4.6).

7. This is also the time to inspect the contestant's equipment and note whether any of the darts being used are so close to the maximum allowed diameter (19.0 mm.) that an accurate measurement is called for. If there is any doubt, have the measurements made. If a measurement is required, this needs to be done before the contestant is allowed to throw. The contest organizer is responsible for having a gage on site to make this measurement.

8. This is a good time to remind the contestants that this is a family event and that they should conduct themselves accordingly.

9. The Score Keeper should then announce the order for the first round and remind the contestants of the rotation sequence (Rule 4.3).

10. After giving a contestant permission to throw, the Score Keeper should watch the contestant, not the dart, to ensure that the contestant does not step on or over the throwing line (Rule 3.2a). If this rule is violated it is to be immediately announced and the throw scored as a "zero".

11. After a round of throwing, the Score Keeper will give permission for the flight to go foreword to score the hits and retrieve darts. The Score Keeper is the final judge for the value given to any throw (Rule 5.4).

12. At the end of the contest for that flight, the Score Keeper will total the scores and announce the results. He then signs the score sheet as Score Keeper and gets the scores confirmed, preferably by a member of that squad who is a member of the World Atlatl Association. The Score Keeper will then return the completed sheet to the contest organizer.

The atlatl and dart is a weapon system designed initially for hunting and should be considered dangerous. Because there is a potential for injury through atlatl use, The World Atlatl Association has found it necessary to adopt certain safety guidelines for all atlatl events. These guidelines are designed so as not to interfere with the prime purpose of these events, which is fun, demonstration, and education.

Because atlatl events are held in different locations with special restrictions due to terrain features or other reasons, an all-encompassing set of rules may not be possible. Safety officials, event sponsors, event organizers, or others may supplement the following with special guidelines that apply to their local situation.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

Safety officers should be designated for every atlatl event and authorized to enforce the guidelines. Safety guidelines should be followed not only during competition, but also in instructional and non-competitive situations as well.

Safety decisions by safety officers take precedence over those of scorekeepers, instructors, and participants. Safety officers may, at any time, remove from the field anyone who does not adhere to these guidelines

Prior to the start of the atlatl event, the safety officers should explain the safety guidelines to all participants and determine that spectators are behind the safety line established for each contest.

When more than one group is in the field, the scorekeeper for each group is authorized to act as safety officer for his/her group and has the authority to enforce these guidelines.

Only participants (throwers, scorekeepers, and safety officers) should be allowed on the field during contests, demonstrations, or practice. Exceptions may be made for news media or others, but each exception should be approved by the safety officer.

Pets are not allowed on the field during contests, practice, or demonstration.

There should never be rowdy or unruly play with atlatls and darts at any time during or after the contest while on the throwing field. To prevent injury to the thrower or others on the field, darts should be carried vertically (points down). No person should ever be running with darts in hand.

The prime guidelines for atlatl safety are: do not throw when others are down range and do not throw or retrieve darts until the scorekeeper gives permission to do so. These guidelines should be universal in atlatl events.

GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFIC TYPE CONTESTS:

WAA Target Round, American Field Round, European Style: These contests employ multiple targets and throwing lines at various throwing distances and require extra caution when sending groups to the throwing line to begin a round. Starting a group should be timed/spaced in order to avoid contestants throwing when another group is in line with any target on either side of their intended target. Targets should not be placed in line or in close proximity to other targets. Darts should not be thrown or retrieved from a target until all persons in the group have thrown at that particular target and permission given to do so by the scorekeeper. When a contestant steps to the throwing line to throw, all other persons in the group should be at a safe distance behind the thrower until the throw is complete.

Ohio Standard Accuracy, ISAC: These contests employ multiple throwing lines for a single target. All darts should be retrieved from the target prior to throwing from another throwing line. To safely manage a group of throwers, the number should be limited to five or six, and the full course of throws should be completed prior to starting another group. Again, no darts should be thrown or retrieved without being specifically authorized by the scorekeeper.

Clearly, no set of rules can encompass every possibility that may arise. It is therefore imperative that all participants and spectators follow any additional requirements that the safety officer may deem necessary for the safety of everyone involved.

TERMS:

Atlatl: A rigid device used to propel a dart. (A spearthrower)

Dart: A lightweight spear designed to be propelled by an atlatl.

Field: A designated area where contests, demonstrations, or practice may be held and darts may be thrown.

Range: That portion of the field where targets are set up for competition, demonstration, or practice.

Target: Any specially designed point or object at which darts are thrown. Usually these are painted cardboard sheets attached to hay bales, but may be three-dimensional animal shapes, marked circles or lines on the ground, or other designated points.

Safety Line: A designated line, whether marked or not, beyond which spectators and/or others not currently and directly involved in the atlatl event are restricted. This line may be marked by colored tape.

Throwing Line: A designated line, usually marked with colored tape, at a prescribed distance from its corresponding target.

Safety Officer: A person specifically designated to ensure these guidelines are observed and to oversee general safety on the atlatl field.

Scorekeeper: A person designated to keep score and enforce these guidelines within his/her group of throwers.