Course Construction and Modification

The following general regulations of course construction list the criteria, responsibilities and restrictions applicable to courses of fire in USPSA matches. Course designers, host organizations and officials are governed by these regulations.

2.1 General Regulations

2.1.1 Physical Construction – Safety considerations in the design, physical construction and stated requirements for any course of fire are the responsibility of the host organization subject to the approval of the Range Master. Reasonable effort must be made to prevent injury to competitors, officials and spectators during the match. Course design should prevent inadvertent unsafe actions wherever possible. Consideration must be given to the operation of any course of fire to provide suitable access for officials supervising the competitors.

2.1.2 Safe Angles of Fire – Courses of fire must always be constructed to ensure safe angles of fire. Consideration must be given to safe target and frame construction and the angle of any possible ricochets. Where appropriate the physical dimensions and suitability of backstops and side berms must be determined as part of the construction process.

2.1.3 Minimum Distances – Whenever metal targets or metal hard cover are used in a course of fire, precautions must be taken so that competitors and Match Officials maintain a minimum distance of 23 feet from them while they are being shot.

Where possible, this should be done with physical barriers. If Fault Lines are used to limit the approach to metal targets, they must be placed at least 26 feet from the targets so that the competitor may inadvertently fault the line and still be outside the 23 feet minimum distance (see Rule 10.5.17). Care should also be taken in respect of metal props in the line of fire.

2.1.4 Target Locations – When a course is constructed to include target locations other than immediately downrange, organizers and officials must protect or restrict surrounding areas to which competitors, officials or spectators have access. Each competitor must be allowed to solve the competitive problem in his own way and must not be hindered by being forced to act in any manner which might cause unsafe action. Targets must be arranged so that shooting at them on an “as and when visible

2.1.5 Range Surface – Where possible, the range surface must be prepared prior to the match, and be kept moderately clear of debris during the match, to provide reasonable safety for competitors and officials. Consideration should be given to the possibility of inclement weather and competitor actions.

Range Officials may add gravel, sand or other materials to a deteriorated range surface at any time, and such range maintenance actions cannot be appealed by competitors.

2.1.6 Obstacles – Natural or created obstacles in a course of fire should reasonably allow for variations in competitors’ height and physical build and should be constructed to provide reasonable safety for all competitors, Match Officials and spectators.

2.1.7 Common Firing Lines – Courses of fire where multiple competitors are required to fire simultaneously from a common firing line (e.g. Standard Exercises, Shoot-Off), must provide a minimum of 5 feet of free space between each competitor.

2.1.8 Target Placement – Care must be taken with the physical placement of a paper target to prevent a “shoot through”.

2.1.8.1 Target placement should be clearly marked on the target stands for consistent target replacement. Target stands should be securely fixed or their locations should be clearly marked on the range surface.

2.1.8.2 When paper and metal targets are used in close proximity in a course of fire, care must be taken to minimize the risk of splatter from metal targets.

2.1.8.3 When Poppers are used in a course of fire, care should be taken to ensure that the location or foundation area is prepared to provide consistent operation throughout the match.

2.1.8.4 Scoring static Classic paper targets must not be presented at an angle greater than approximately 45 degrees from the vertical. No-shoot static Classic paper targets may be presented at any angle.

2.1.8.5 Appearing scoring targets must be designed and constructed to be obscured to the competitor (during the course of fire) prior to activation.

2.1.8.5.1Level One matches are encouraged but not required to comply with this requirement. The Written Stage Briefing (WSB) may prohibit competitors from engaging certain targets which may be visible prior to activation until the operation of the activating mechanism has been initiated (see Rule 9.9.4)

2.1.9 All berms are off- limits to all persons at all times, except when access to them is specifically permitted by a Range Officer (see Rule 10.6.1).