While technology plays a central role, human expertise remains essential — particularly for judges operating in this highly technical environment.
To support this, the ISSF has developed specialised Electronic Scoring Target (EST) courses, designed to equip judges with the knowledge required to manage complex scoring situations in real time.
These courses typically cover:
- Understanding the operating principles of EST systems
- Calculating scores for unregistered or doubtful shots
- Managing cross-shots and irregular situations
- Conducting pre-competition testing and calibration
- Applying rules related to penalties and score corrections
Unlike the past, where scoring decisions were made “behind closed doors,” today’s judges often operate under full media visibility, requiring both technical expertise and the ability to make fast, accurate decisions under pressure.
This is particularly important because, in some cases — such as penalties or malfunctions — manual intervention in the scoring system is required, representing one of the few remaining sources of potential error.
At the same time, electronic scoring has dramatically improved fairness and transparency. The removal of subjective human judgement has reduced disputes, and athletes now have strong confidence in the system.
For athletes, the impact is equally transformative.
With instant feedback after every shot, competitors can adjust their strategy in real time. In finals, where decimal scoring is used, even the smallest margins can decide medals — often by just one tenth of a point.
Beyond competition, EST data is opening new frontiers in performance analysis and sport development.
Through innovations such as the Shooting Sports Cloud, SIUS is transforming competition data into a global intelligence system:
- Real-time rankings, automatically updated
- Advanced analytics, including shot timing, consistency, and fatigue patterns
- Talent identification, supporting federations worldwide
- Enhanced fan engagement, through data-driven storytelling
As Walti explains:
“We didn’t just want to measure a shot; we wanted to empower the entire ecosystem.”
A system built on precision and trust
From its early introduction in 1992 to its current role at the heart of Olympic competition, electronic scoring has revolutionised shooting sport.
It combines cutting-edge technology, rigorous scientific validation, and highly trained officials to deliver a system that athletes trust and audiences can follow in real time.
As the sport continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: precision is no longer just a matter of performance — it is built into the very infrastructure of the sport itself.