Interesting point. I have always defaulted to the hands at sides no matter what the position of my feet were unless stated otherwise.
Hence my question in post #51.
I read it differently. I haven't told you not to stand erect, to face uprange, or do anything else w/ your hands. I haven't "specified otherwise." to me, "heels on marks" is no different than "in box A" or "starting in the shooting area"
Maybe I'm not in the majority in my interpretation. But I'm not alone. Regardless which is right, some people are doing/officiating it wrong. Perhaps the "default" needs removed, and we go back to doing whatever the hell you want unless specified (which is what adding the default was trying to get away from)...
I think the grammar supports what I'm saying. 1) go to start position 2) stand the default way unless told different. It's not a default "start position." It's a default way to stand.
I'm not trying to say "I'm right, you're wrong." I'm saying "WTH is the RIGHT read?"
8.2.2
The competitor assumes the start position as specified in the written
stage briefing. Unless otherwise specified, the competitor must stand
erect, facing downrange, with arms hanging naturally by the sides.
-rvb