Rules & Safety — UK Slingshot Association (UKSA)

The UK Slingshot Association (UKSA) is committed to promoting competitive target slingshot shooting as a safe, welcoming, and professionally run sport. Whether you are practising at home or competing at a UKSA-sanctioned indoor or outdoor event, all members, competitors, and spectators must follow these rules and safety standards.

1. Golden Rules of Range Safety

  • Never Draw Towards People: Never draw, load, or point a slingshot at any person, animal, or outside the designated target lane—even with an empty pouch.

  • Draw and Release Downrange Only: Slingshots may only be loaded and drawn while standing at the firing line, facing directly downrange toward your allocated target box or practice aria.

  • Inspect Your Gear: Check your bands, pouches, tie-ons, and frame before every session. Replace worn, nicked, or perishing latex immediately.

  • Respect Range Commands: Obey the Range Officer (RO) immediately. When "STOP / CEASE FIRE" is called, immediately let down your draw safely without releasing a shot, unload your pouch, and step back from the line.

  • No Crossing the Firing Line: Nobody may walk forward of the firing line to retrieve ammo, reset targets, or check catch boxes until the Range Officer calls the line clear and safe.

2. Indoor Event Conduct & Zero-Tolerance Policy

To protect our venues, the public, and the reputation of our sport, strict venue rules apply at all indoor tournaments and gatherings:

  • Designated Lanes Only: Shooting is strictly permitted only on the official competition lanes or designated practice lanes under Range Officer supervision. Dry-firing or test-drawing in hallways, seating areas, outside the venue or foyers is strictly forbidden.

  • Strictly No Shooting Outside the Venue or Local Area: Do not shoot in venue car parks, gardens, surrounding streets, or anywhere in the local area outside the hall. Keep all slingshots packed away until you are inside the designated shooting hall.

  • No Alcohol or Drugs: Alcohol and recreational drugs are strictly prohibited on venue premises and before or during any event. Anyone suspected of being under the influence will not be permitted to shoot.

Important Warning: Breaching any of the above rules—including shooting outside designated lanes, shooting outside the venue/local area, or bringing/using alcohol or drugs—will result in immediate removal from the venue and may result in a permanent ban from all future UKSA events.

3. Indoor Venue Dress Code

Because UKSA indoor tournaments are held in public community halls, leisure centres, and shared sporting venues, we maintain a clean, approachable sporting image:

  • Smart Casual is Welcome: Everyday comfortable clothing—such as polo shirts, t-shirts, hoodies, jumpers, jeans, chinos, shorts, and trainers—is completely fine.

  • No Full Greens or Camouflage: Full military-style greens, tactical gear, or camouflage clothing are not permitted at indoor venues.

4. Permitted Ammunition

To protect venues, backstops, targets, and competitors, strict ammunition rules apply at all UKSA events:

Ammunition

Type Status Details

Steel Ammo Permitted Standard spherical steel balls from 6.35mm (1/4") up to 9.5mm (3/8") maximum.

Clay Ammo Permitted Biodegradable clay target balls are permitted for practice and designated events please check what is allowed.

Lead Ammo Strictly Prohibited Lead balls, lead beans are banned at all UKSA venues and events.

Other Projectiles Strictly Prohibited Stones, glass marbles, hex nuts, darts, bolts, or irregular projectiles are strictly forbidden.

Note: All ammunition is subject to spot checks by event marshals. Using prohibited ammunition will result in immediate disqualification from the event.

5. Equipment & Competition Standards

UKSA target competitions align with World Slingshot Association (WSA) standards:

  • Distance: Standard target shooting is conducted at 10 metres from the front edge of the firing line to the target face.

  • Frames & Bands: Natural forks and purpose-made target frames are welcome, provided they are structurally sound and safe to shoot. Wrist-braced slingshots and mechanical release triggers are not permitted in standard WSA/UKSA target divisions.

6. Junior Shooters & Backyard Practice Disclaimer

  • Under-18 Competitors: Junior shooters are warmly welcomed at UKSA events but must be accompanied and supervised by a parent, legal guardian, or designated responsible adult at all times.

Private Practice: If you are practising away from a sanctioned UKSA event, you are personally responsible for ensuring you have explicit landowner permission, a secure catch box, a solid secondary backstop. Always ensure your ammo never leaves your garden or shooting aria. Never shoot in public spaces or parks.