1.2 Types Of Courses
Every IPSC Match conforms to a set type of courses of fire with varying round counts and specific firearm ready conditions. There is an approved balance to the ratio to how many of each type of stage is allowed in a match.
IPSC matches may contain the following types of courses of fire:
1.2.1 General Courses Of Fire
There are 3 general courses of fire which are used in IPSC matches:
1.2.1.1 Short Courses
Must not require more than 12 rounds to complete. Course design and construction must not require more than 9 scoring hits from any single location or view.
Must not require more than 5 rounds to complete for Manual Action Divisions, and 10 rounds for Semi Auto Divisions. If 2 hits per paper target are required, the number of rounds is increased to 10.
Must not require more than 8 rounds to complete and are restricted to a maximum of 12 scoring hits.
1.2.1.2 Medium Courses
Must not require more than 24 rounds to complete. Course design and construction must not require more than 9 scoring hits from any single location or view, nor allow a competitor to shoot all targets in the course of fire from any single location or view.
Must not require more than 10 rounds to complete. Course design and construction must normally not require more than 5 scoring targets to be shot from any single location or view, nor allow a competitor to shoot all targets in the course of fire from any single location or view. With a minimum distance of 100 meters it can be required to shoot 8 scoring targets from a single location or view. If 2 hits per paper target are required, the number of maximum rounds to complete is increased to 20 and the maximum number of scoring hits from any single location or view is increased to 10 (16 for targets placed at more than 100 meters distance).
Must not require more than 16 rounds to complete and are restricted to a maximum of 24 scoring hits. Course design and construction must not require more than 8 rounds to be shot from any single location or view.
1.2.1.3 Long Courses
Must not require more than 32 rounds to complete. Course design and construction must not require more than 9 scoring hits from any single location or view, nor allow a competitor to shoot all targets in the course of fure from any single location or view.
Must not require more than 20 rounds to complete. Course design and construction must normally not require more than 5 scoring targets to be shot from any single location or view, nor allow a competitor to shoot all targets in the course of fire from any single location or view. With a minimum distance of 100 meters it can be required to shoot 8 scoring targets from a single location or view. If 2 hits per paper target are required, the number of maximum rounds to complete is increased to 40 and the maximum number of scoring hits from any single location or view is increased to 10 (16 for targets placed at more than 100 meters distance).
Must not require more than 28 rounds to complete and are restricted to a maximum of 32 scoring hits. Course design and construction must not require more than 8 rounds to be shot from any single location or view. A COF requiring 24 or more rounds must not stipulate an unloaded gun as a start condition.
1.2.1.4 Stage Ratios For IPSC Matches
The approved balance for an IPSC sanctioned match is a ratio of 3 Short Courses to 2 Medium Courses to 1 Long Course (see Approved Stage Ratios in Appendix A4).
Appendix A41.2.1.5 Firearm Ready Conditions
Empty chamber and/or empty magazine well/cylinder firearm ready conditions (see Chapter 8), should not be required for more than 25% of the courses of fire in a match.
Option 2 and/or Option 3 rifle ready conditions (see Chapter 8), should not be required for more than 25% of the courses of fire in a match.
1.2.1.6 Extra Rifle Match Rules
The recommended balance for an IPSC Rifle match with regards to target distance is: 30% of all targets to be less than 60 meters, 50% to be between 60 and 150 meters and 20% to be between 150 and 300 meters.
1.2.2 Special Courses Of Fire
Other than the general courses of fire, there are special courses of fire which have special conditions and have distinct differences from what is normally expected of an IPSC Match.
1.2.2.1 Classifiers
Courses of fire authorized by a Regional Director and/or IPSC, which are available to competitors seeking a regional and/or international classification. Classifiers must be set up in accordance with these rules and be conducted strictly in accordance with the notes and diagrams accompanying them. Results must be submitted to the authorizing entity in the format required (with the applicable fees, if any), in order for them to be recognized.
1.2.2.2 Shoot-Off
An event conducted separately from a match. Two eligible competitors simultaneously engage two identical and adjacent target arrays in a process of one or more elimination bouts (see Appendix A3). It is recommended that metal targets be used, and that the final target for each competitor is set so that it overlaps that of the other competitor when struck down, with the winner being the competitor whose target is on the bottom.
Each target array must not exceed 12 rounds and each competitor must perform a mandatory reload after shooting at his first target, and before he shoots at his final target. Violations are subject to automatic forfeiture of the bout.
Each target array must not exceed 6 rounds for Manual Action Divisions, and 12 rounds for Semi Auto Divisions and each competitor may be required to perform a mandatory reload after shooting at his first target, and before he shoots at his final target. Violations are subject to automatic forfeiture of the bout.
Each target array must not exceed 8 rounds and each competitor may be required to perform a mandatory reload after shooting at his first target, and before he shoots at his final target. Violations are subject to automatic forfeiture of the bout.
Chapter Rules
