1.1 General Principles (Course Design)
There are 7 different general principles for designing IPSC stages: Safety, Quality, Balance, Diversity, Freestyle, Difficulty and Challenge. Each one of these principles assists in testing the core application of IPSC.
The following general principles of course design list the criteria, responsibilities and restrictions governing Course Designers as the architects of the sport of IPSC Shooting.
1.1.1 Safety
IPSC matches must be designed, constructed and conducted with due consideration to safety.
1.1.2 Quality
The value of an IPSC match is determined by the quality of the challenge presented in the course design. Courses of fire must be designed primarily to test a competitor’s IPSC shooting skills, not their physical abilities.
1.1.3 Balance
1.1.4 Diversity
1.1.5 Freestyle
1.1.5.1 Level 1 & 2 Matches
Level I and Level II matches are not required to comply strictly with the freestyle requirements or round count limitations (see 1.2 Types Of Courses).
1.1.5.2 Mandatory Actions
1.1.5.3 Strong & Weak Hand/Shoulder
General Courses and Classifiers may specify shooting strong hand or weak hand only without the need to enforce compliance using physical means (e.g. hook-and-loop fasteners etc.). The specified hand must be used exclusively from the point stipulated for the remainder of the stage.
General Courses and Classifiers may not specify that the weak shoulder is to be used when shooting.
Short Courses and Classifiers may specify that only the weak shoulder is to be used when shooting.
1.1.5.4 Carrying Objects
If a written stage briefing specifies strong or weak hand only, Rule 10.2.8 will apply. If a competitor is merely required to carry, retain or grasp an object during his attempt at a course of fire, Rule 10.2.2 will apply.
If a written stage briefing specifies that a competitor is required to carry, retain or grasp an object during his attempt at a course of fire, Rule 10.2.2 will apply.
1.1.5.5 Starting Positions
Course Designers may give competitors freedom to await the Start Signal anywhere within the boundaries of a well demarcated firing zone.
1.1.6 Difficulty
IPSC matches present varied degrees of difficulty. No shooting challenge may be appealed as being prohibitive. This does not apply to non-shooting challenges, which should reasonably allow for differences in competitor’s height and physical build.
1.1.7 Challenge
IPSC matches recognize the challenges presented when using full power firearms in dynamic shooting, and must always employ a minimum power factor to be attained by all competitors to reflect this challenge.
Chapter Rules