1.1 General Principles (Course Design)

There are 7 different general principles for designing IPSC stages: Safety, Quality, Balance, Diversity, Freestyle, Difficulty and Challenge.
September 12, 2019 24 MIN READ IN: Course Design BY: 4IPSC Admin 0 COMMENT

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
Accuracy, Power and Speed are equivalent elements of IPSC shooting, and are expressed in the Latin words “Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas” (“DVC”). A properly balanced course of fire will depend largely upon the nature of the challenges presented therein. However, courses must be designed, and IPSC matches must be conducted in such a way, as to evaluate these elements equally.
1.1.4 Diversity
IPSC shooting challenges are diverse. While it is not necessary to construct new courses for each match, no single course of fire must be repeated to allow its use to be considered a definitive measure of IPSC shooting skills.
1.1.5 Freestyle
IPSC matches are freestyle. Competitors must be permitted to solve the challenge presented in a freestyle manner and, for handgun and shotgun matches, to shoot targets on an “as and when visible” basis. After the Start Signal, courses of fire must not require mandatory reloads nor dictate a shooting position, location or stance, except as specified below. However, conditions may be created, and barriers or other physical limitations may be constructed, to compel a competitor into shooting positions, locations or stances.
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
Short Courses and Classifiers may include mandatory reloads and may dictate a shooting position, location and/or stance. When a mandatory reload is required, it must be completed after the competitor shoots at his first target, and before he shoots at his final target. Violations are subject to one procedural penalty.
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.

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