What is referred to as the 'petticoat' in target sports?

The term 'petticoat' in target sports specifically refers to the area outside the last and widest ring of the target. This region is significant because it represents a scoring area where no points are awarded; hitting this area means that the athlete has missed the target entirely. Understanding the concept of the petticoat is important for participants in target sports, as it emphasizes the precision required to score points. Athletes need to focus on aiming for the inner rings where points are maximized, reinforcing the importance of accuracy in their technique.