Course Construction Criteria

2.2 Course Construction Criteria


During the construction of a course of fire, a variety of physical barriers may be used to restrict competitor movement and to provide additional competitive challenges as follows:

2.2.1 Competitor movement may be restricted or controlled through the use of physical barriers, Fault Lines, Shooting Boxes, or Off-Limits Lines.

2.2.1.1 Shooting Boxes and Fault Lines should be constructed of wooden boards or other suitable material, must be fixed firmly in place, and provide both physical and visual references to competitors. For hard ground surfaces clear of debris, 0.75 inch material is the minimum allowable size. On other range surfaces, such as covered with turf, sand, gravel, wood chips or similar, thicker material which rises at least 1.5 inches above the surface is recommended.

2.2.1.2 Shooting Boxes and Fault Lines are used to define the limits of the shooting area(s). (See Rule 10.2.1)

2.2.1.3 Fault Lines extending rearward (uprange) should be a minimum of 3 feet in length, and unless otherwise stated in the written stage briefing, are deemed to extend rearward to infinity.

2.2.1.4 The use of Shooting Boxes and Fault Lines at prone shooting positions should be avoided or used with caution.

2.2.1.5 Off-Limits Lines may be used to define an area of the range floor which has been declared off-limits. The written stage briefing must identify the presence and location of Off-Limits Lines (if any). The off-limits area must be clearly delineated with rope, caution tape or other materials and must be at least 2 feet high and at least 2 feet from any Fault Line or Shooting Box. (See Rule 10.2.11).

Crossing an off-limits line will result in a zero for the stage. Openings in off limits lines are allowed for RO access only; competitors may not use the openings to enter any off limits areas or move through the course of fire in a manner not indicated by the off limits lines. The lines are deemed to extend through the open areas.

2.2.2 Obstacles – Courses of fire may include the use of barriers or major obstacles to be surmounted by competitors. Obstacles used in this way must not exceed a height of 6.5 feet. Obstacles over 3 feet in height must be supplied with scaling aids to assist competitors and must be constructed to provide for the competitor’s safety in the following ways:

2.2.2.1 Obstacles must be firmly anchored and braced to provide ade-quate support when in use. Wherever possible, unduly sharp or rough surfaces must be removed to reduce the possibility of injury to competitors and/or Match Officials.

2.2.2.2 The descending side of any obstacle must be clear of obstructions or natural hazards.

2.2.2.3 Competitors must be allowed to test such obstacles before the course of fire and should be given a short period to do so.

2.2.2.4 Competitors must not be required to holster their handgun before ascending these obstacles.

2.2.3 Barriers – Must be constructed in the following manner:

2.2.3.1 They must be high enough and strong enough to serve the intended purpose.

2.2.3.2 They should include Fault Lines projecting rearward at ground level from the side edges.

2.2.3.3 Unless otherwise specified in the written stage briefing, all such barriers, walls, vision barriers and snow fence barriers will be considered to go from the ground to the height as constructed.

2.2.4 Tunnels – A tunnel that a competitor is required to enter or pass through must be constructed of suitable material and to any length. However, sufficient ports must be provided to allow Match Officials to safely monitor competitor action. Tunnel mouth edges must be prepared to minimize the possibility of injury to competitors and Match Officials. Course designers must clearly designate the entrance and exit portions of the tunnel as well as the parameters for shooting at any targets from within the tunnel (e.g. Fault Lines).

2.2.5 “Cooper” Tunnels – Are tunnels comprised of braced uprights supporting loose overhead materials (e.g. wooden slats), which may be inadvertently dislodged by competitors (see Rule 10.2.5). These tunnels may be constructed to any height, but overhead materials must not be heavy enough to cause injury if they fall.

2.2.6 Stage Props – Where these items are intended to support a competitor in motion or while shooting targets, they must be constructed with the safety of the competitor and Match Officials as a priority. Provisions must be made to allow Match Officials to safely monitor and control competitor action at all times. Props must be strong enough to withstand use by all competitors.

2.3 Modifications to Course Construction

2.3.1 Match Officials may, for any reason, modify the physical construction or stage procedure for a course of fire, provided that such changes are approved in advance by the Range Master. Any such physical changes or additions to a published course of fire should be completed before the stage begins.

2.3.1.1 In lieu of modifying course design or physical construction, a Range Master may explicitly forbid certain competitor actions in order to maintain safety during a course of fire.