NRA Basic Guide to Competitive Shooting

Basic Guide to Competitive Shooting

A publication of the National Rifle Association, Competitive Shooting Division. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents NRA Competitive Shooting Directory.................................................3 NRA National Championship Info. Request ......................................3 NRA Sanctioning Information ...........................................................4 NRA Approved Tournaments ............................................................6 NRA Registered Tournaments ..........................................................8 The NRA Classification System ......................................................10 Categories ......................................................................................12 Frequently Asked Questions ..........................................................15

View NRA Competitive Shooting Publications online at: www.issuu.com/compshoot

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Basic Guide to Competitive Shooting www.nrahq.org/compete

Competitive Shooting Directory Division Administration Collegiate & Schools Department Disabled Shooting Services High Power Rifle Department Corporate Sponsorship & Marketing NRA Action Pistol Department Pistol Department Postal Matches Smallbore Rifle, Air Gun, Black Powder Dept.

Silhouette Department Tournament Operations Department Tournament Reporting Department Tournament Resources/Volunteer Department

compadmin@nrahq.org collegiate@nrahq.org disabled-shooting@nrahq.org nrahighpower@nrahq.org comp-marketing@nrahq.org actionpistol@nrahq.org pistol@nrahq.org postals@nrahq.org sbrifle@nrahq.org silhouette@nrahq.org tournopns@nrahq.org tournrpts@nrahq.org volunteer@nrahq.org

NRA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS INFORMATION AND PROGRAM REQUEST CONTACT DIRECTORY National Action Pistol Championship bianchicup@nrahq.org (Bianchi Cup) National Rifle & Pistol Championships, compadmin@nrahq.org Camp Perry, OH National Silhouette Championships silhouette@nrahq.org National Collegiate & Pistol Championships collegiate@nrahq.org National Black Powder Target Rifle silhouette@nrahq.org Championship National Indoor Rifle & Pistol Championships Pistol pistol@nrahq.org Rifle sbrifle@nrahq.org Collegiate collegiate@nrahq.org NRA National Junior 3-Position Air Rifle sbrifle@nrahq.org Championships National Police Shooting Championship mlipp@nrahq.org

NRA Sanctioned Tournament Information http://www.nrahq.org/compete/tournaments/

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NRA Sanctioned Tournament Information

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he purpose of this publication is to inform you how an NRA sanctioned tournament is operated. The NRA plan for Competitive Shooting is designed to give the greatest possible enjoyment to the competitor and, at the same time, to allow the control necessary to maintain nationwide standards, benefitting all shooters.

There are terms which are used in discussing shooting tournaments (just as is the case with other sports) and you should understand them. Those following are, for the most part, abbreviated from definitions found in various NRA official rule books.

The numbers in parentheses indicate the pertinent rule number.

NRA COMPETITION: (1.0)

A tournament sponsored by an NRA Affiliated Club or Association that has received the approval of the NRA in advance of firing. There are three types - Approved Tournaments, Registered Tournaments and Sanctioned Leagues. Sanctioned Leagues are discussed in the NRA Sanctioned League Handbook, viewable online for free here: http://www.issuu.com/compshoot/docs/2010nraslh/1

TOURNAMENT: (1.1)

A series of matches covered by an official program.

PROGRAM: (Sec. 21) view an example here

The program is designed to give information about the planned tournament to prospective entrants. This includes such information as the name, date and location of the tournament; courses of fire; equipment allowed; eligibility to participate; fees involved; classification and award system to be used; person to whom entry cards are to be sent; and any special regulations desired by the sponsor.

SPONSOR:

The organization or club which conducts the tournament by publishing the program, establishing dates, etc.

NRA Rule Books can be purchased from the NRA Program Materials Center.

Call 1-800-336-7402 or go to this link: http://materials.nrahq.org/go/home.aspx

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HOST:

The organization that conducts the tournament operations. (Generally, the sponsor and host are synonymous, but NRA Sectionals, Regionals and most National Championships are sponsored by the NRA and hosted by the organization conducting the tournament operations. State Associations sponsor State Championships but generally specific clubs host the tournaments.

MATCH: (1.7(a))

The basic competition unit. May consist of one or more stages.

STAGE: (1.7(b))

All or part of a match based on the shots fired at one range or one type of firing.

AWARD SCHEDULE:

The method of giving awards. This is generally based on classification. It may be modified by use of categories.

CLASSIFICATION: (Sec. 19)

The NRA system of dividing shooters into different skill levels for award purposes.

See the section entitled “The NRA Classification System� in this publication for additional details on classification.

CATEGORIES: (Sec. 2)

A breakdown of tournament entries based principally on stated groups not related to skill level. A more complete description of categories follows later in this page.

OFFICIAL BULLETIN: (13.4)

A final listing of the results of the tournament showing all shooters scores, award winners, etc. It may be a posted list of a list printed for distribution.

NRA Competitive Shooting is here to help.

Contact us at competitions@nrahq.org, or call 1-877-672-6282

NRA Sanctioned Tournament Information http://www.nrahq.org/compete/tournaments/

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NRA Approved Tournaments ny well-organized Saturday afternoon club practice session can be operated as an NRA Approved Tournament with little extra effort. A well-run practice session will require the same operating personnel and organization that a sanctioned tournament requires. NRA membership is not a requirement to compete in Approved or Registered matches.

The following paragraphs outline what is required by the NRA before a tournament will be sanctioned as an Approved Tournament.

Apply online at http://www.nrahq.org/compete/tournaments at least thirty days before the tournament. This application lists the club number, type, name, date and location of the tournament, and names the following: Match Director, the contact person, and the Supervisor (who is selected by the sponsor and who acts as Referee for the tournament but who does not have to be an appointed Official NRA Referee or Club Jury Representative for Silhouette). A telephone number for contact during normal working hours must also be listed. Learn more about the NRA Tournament Operations Department here: http://www.nrahq.org/compete/dept-tourn-ops.asp After the tournament is completed, the sponsor is expected to do the following promptly: 1) Mail in appropriate NRA registration and Score Reporting Cards with correct name, address, NRA ID number, scores and number of shots posted for each entry so these can be made part of each competitor’s classification record (silhouette competitors have scores posted in their classification score record books).

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2) Submit NRA registration fees.

The Supervisor cannot compete in the tournament but all other officials may. Tournament sponsors who fail to submit scores and fees required

by NRA Rules may be prohibited from conducting further sanctioned tournaments. For more information on reporting your tournament and submitting fees, check this link: http://www.nrahq.org/compete/dept-tourn-rpt.asp

In order for the tournament to be listed once in the Coming Events section of Shooting Sports USA, applications and programs must be approved by the NRA Competitive Shooting Division by the 15th of the month, three months before the month of issue.

The General Regulations are not the same for all NRA shooting disciplines. You should read the “Appendix” in each rule book for the General Regulations for that discipline.

Key differences between an Approved or Registered Tournament Scores used for classification Scores used for National Records NRA Registration Fee (collected after firing)

Approved Yes No Yes

Registered Yes Yes Yes

Competitors must be NRA Members

No

No

Rule 19.4 17.5 Gen’l Reg. A5, B5 1.6(f)

NRA ID number is required for classification purposes in all NRA Sanctioned Tournaments. Should a competitor not have an NRA ID number, they will be assigned a special number that allows their scores to be entered into the competitor classification database.

NRA Sanctioned Tournament Information http://www.nrahq.org/compete/tournaments/

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NRA Registered Tournaments

he Registered Tournament is fundamentally the same as the Approved Tournament but is more formal. The differences listed below appear to be many and great, but in actual operation there is very little difference.

Most of the requirements of a Registered Tournament are met in a wellrun Approved Tournament.

What are the differences?

1) Except for High Power Rifle, an Official NRA Referee (when available) is provided at no cost to the tournament sponsor for State, Regional and Sectional Championships. When a Referee is not available, a Jury composed of 3 members may be formed.

2) National Records will be recognized, if fired and properly reported on the NRA- supplied form. The form is available for download here, the Silhouette National Record form is located here.

3) The Referee, Match Director, Deputy Match Director, Chief Range Officer, Chief Pit Officer, and Chief Statistical Officer cannot compete in the tournament, except in silhouette tournaments.

4) Some specific courses of fire must be offered.

5) NRA classification and an awards schedule must be used.

6) Earlier notification to the NRA is required, (45 days instead of 30).

7) The Program must be available for distribution and a Final Results Bulletin must be distributed to each competitor and to the NRA. 8) The NRA Registration fee is slightly higher.

We advise that sponsors run Approved Tournaments before scheduling a Registered Tournament. As with the Approved Tournament, the Registered Tournament process begins online at: http://www.nrahq.org/compete/tournaments

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Need more help? The NRA has a Tournament Operations Guide that goes into detail. This guide is an excellent checklist and is used extensively by experienced, as well as new, tournament sponsors. You can view it online for free here: http://www.issuu.com/compshoot/docs/tourn_ops_guide/1

Did you know?

The following NRA Competitive Shooting terms are often interchanged by mistake: • Competitive class is a skill level distinction by classification such as Master, Expert, etc.

• A category is a group designated in a tournament program for awards purposes such as Women, Juniors, Police, Collegiate, etc.

• Tournament programs may further sub-divide categories by firearm type such as match rifle or service rifle.

NRA Sanctioned Tournament Information http://www.nrahq.org/compete/tournaments/

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The NRA Classification System he NRA Classification System was devised to help maintain interest among shooters, by breaking down the shooters into groups of approximately equal skill. Tournament sponsors may award prizes within each group. This is simply a form of handicapping and has an advantage over a score handicap system because it permits the use of scores actually fired.

Except in silhouette, upon entering any tournament, a shooter must complete an NRA SR-1 (for conventional) card and SR-1A (for NRA style international), or an SR-45 (for Action Pistol). Information which must be supplied includes the full name, address, and most important, the NRA identification number (non-members who are classified are assigned an identification number). Shooters should be sure to use the same name and address of record with NRA in the same way every time.

For example, if initials are used, such as “J.D. Smith,” then continue to use initials, rather than sometimes using “Joe Smith.” This will speed up the classification system because cross checks will not have to be made to determine if it is the same person. Additional information needed on the SR-1, SR-1A, or SR-45 card includes the type of shooting fired, the classification, if any, and the place and date of firing.

Competitors are classified as High Master, (High Power Rifle, Action Pistol, Pistol and Police Pistol only), Master, Expert, Sharpshooter, or Marksman (Master through B for Silhouette). A shooter is placed in one of these classes after he has fired a required number of shots for the type of shooting involved. Individual and team scores must be fired in NRA Registered or Approved Tournaments or in Sanctioned Leagues to be used for classification. After the required number of shots has been fired, the score average is determined, establishing the classification to which the shooter belongs, except in Silhouette in which no averaging is done.

When new shooters enter their first NRA sanctioned tournament, they MUST fire in the Master Class. This is in effect for the first tournament only. The new shooter should ask for and receive a Temporary Score Record Book from the Sponsor or Referee. This Temporary Score Record Book will help to determine the shooter’s temporary classification until he or she has fired sufficient shots which have been reported to NRA to earn

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a regular classification card. Temporary Score Record Books can be acquired for FREE from the NRA Program Materials Center at this link: http://materials.nrahq.org/go/product.aspx?productid=CT%2016920 After the first tournament, the new competitors are required to maintain the Temporary Score Record Book as their temporary classification. They must use this temporary classification and keep their Score Record Book up to date until they receive their official NRA classification. Each classification card has an effective date which makes the Score Record Book obsolete. The shooter must compete in the classification earned in all tournaments of that type of shooting or a higher one if they so choose (NRA Rule 19.8). NRA does not issue Temporary Classification Cards. See Rule 19.6 for use of “Assigned Classification.”

As new scores are received from tournament sponsors, they are recorded at NRA Headquarters and averages are checked in accordance with the specific number of shots required as listed in the pertinent rule book. As a shooter progresses, scores improve and averages increase, to the point where the shooter will be assigned a higher classification and a new card will be issued.

Team shooting is also based on the classification system. The method of arriving at a team’s classification is explained in each rule book and amounts to an average classification for all the team members involved.

Provisions in the system allow for lowering a classification when justified and requested, in writing, by the shooter.

Classification Averages: A competitor’s classification is based on a percentage as listed in the appropriate NRA rule book. A minimum number of shots must be posted to the competitor’s record before a card is issued. This minimum varies with each shooting program as shown in the proper rule book.

The Silhouette classification system is handled in a different way. Check Section 19 of a current NRA Silhouette rule book for details. Contact the Silhouette Department at silhouette@nrahq.org, or learn more online here: http://www.nrahq.org/compete/dept-silh.asp

NRA Sanctioned Tournament Information http://www.nrahq.org/compete/tournaments/

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Categories

he term “category� is used to separate competitors into distinct groups without regard to any skill level. Regular award categories are normally divided into classes for skill level awards. There can be several Regular Award Categories which are in common use (Check the appropriate rule book for the precise definition).

1) Civilian - Defined in Rule 2.2; Generally, competitors who do not fall into any of the following categories: 2) Police - As defined in Rule 2.4. This is also a specific group and limited as far as interpretation is concerned. A person, based on employment, either falls into the police category or does not.

3) Service - Defined in Rules 2.5 (National Guard), 2.6 (Regular Service) and 2.7 (Reserve Components); Competitors who are members of the Armed Forces generally fall into one of these categories. Exceptions are based on duty status and/or military support to the competitor during the calendar year.

4) Junior - Rules 2.3; 2.3.1; and 2.3.2 The Regular Award Categories above are normally subdivided into classes determined by skill level.

In addition to the Regular Award categories mentioned, there are several Special Award categories. These apply to certain individuals regardless of their place in the Regular Award categories. Special categories most commonly used are listed below, although this is not an all-inclusive list because of their nature. Special categories can be established by any tournament sponsor. Special awards are normally given only to one person in a match or an aggregate, and are not necessarily given by skill level as are Regular Award Categories.

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1) Senior - A person who has reached an age as defined in Rule 2.2.1. Such a person could also win Regular Awards and/or other Special Awards.

2) Women - The comment under “Senior” would also apply to women shooters. They, too, would also fall into one of the standard categories as well as this special one.

3) College - School - ROTC - These are special in that shooters are also in one of the standard categories.

4) Junior - In some tournaments Juniors can be either in the Special Award or Regular Award area. Generally, the “Junior” category is used as a Regular (classified) category only in Smallbore Rifle competitions.

When a tournament sponsor decides to use the category award play, he is responsible for clearly defining in the tournament program the categories he intends to use. This does not mean awards must be provided in each standard category but only that the program must stipulate which categories are established.

For example, a sponsor may decide to give awards in two categories - Regular Service and Civilian. The sponsor must then state in the program that the Service category will be as defined in Rule 2.6 and that all others shall enter as Civilians.

Under different circumstances, the sponsor may state that awards will be given in two categories, such as civilian and police, police to be as defined in Rule 2.4 and all others to enter as civilians. In each of these examples, all competitors will be covered. But, when a program merely states there will be a Service category and a civilian category without any further elaboration, there will be confusion. As an example, if a police officer wanted to enter such a tournament, he would find in Rule 2.2 (under the example given) that police may not compete as civilians. Since he knows that he is not eligible for the Service category, he can find no category to enter. A statement such as, “Awards will be given in a Service category and a

NRA Sanctioned Tournament Information http://www.nrahq.org/compete/tournaments/

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non-Service category,� with the specification that the Service category will consist of those who fall in the categories as defined by Rules 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7, with all others entering the non-service category, informs everyone exactly how they should enter the tournament.

Sponsors may wish to provide special awards for those people who may fall into special categories. The program of the tournament should list each such special award, the eligibility for these awards, and any limitations such as: only one award per match, priority of awards, etc.

Sponsors who use the classification-category award system generally provide for the contingency of only two or three competitors entering in a given class and category. The program should clearly state the method of combining categories and classes, and the manner in which this will be done. NRA recommends that categories be combined within the same class (skill level) before different classes are combined. It is fairer to the individual shooter to be entered with competitors from other categories of the same skill level than to be forced to compete with people who are recognized to be better shooters and in a higher classification. If groups cannot be put together in the same classification, then there is no alternative but to combine classifications in order to get a base for giving awards.

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Qualifications

he Classification System is used solely in formal competitions. The Qualification System, on the other hand, provides a program for individual training and achievement. The Classification System is used by the NRA Competitive Shooting Division; the Qualification System is used by the NRA Education & Training Division.

In contrast to a formal “classification� which can only be earned in NRA sanctioned competition, qualification ratings can be earned by participating in the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. Learn more about the NRA Qualification program here: http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmanship/

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Frequently Asked Questions Q: Where does a tournament sponsor get entry cards (NRA SR-1, SR-1A, SR-45, SR-500 cards)?

A: These may be obtained free from the NRA Program Materials Center located at this link: http://materials.nrahq.org/go/home.aspx.

Several cards are available for download online here: http://www.nrahq.org/compete/dept-tourn-rpt.asp Q: Should competitors use their full name when completing the entry card?

A: Competitors should at least use one given name, one initial, and their surname as well as their NRA ID number. Their complete address as shown on their NRA membership card must also be given. Because of the large number of competitors for which the NRA maintains classification, it is extremely important that all competitors use exactly the same name for every tournament in which they enter. The NRA is unable to determine in many cases whether “R.O. Smith” is the same person as “Robert O. Smith”, even if they have the same address.

Q: What is the advantage of advance entries?

A: Advance entries permit the tournament sponsor to assign firing points and times to “squad” his tournament. The sponsor will have some idea of the number of relays that will be required and also the number of awards that must be provided. Shooters should provide their entry to a tournament at the earliest possible date.

Q: How much should a tournament sponsor charge for an entry fee?

A: There is considerable variation in the fees charged. The total cost for attending a tournament may vary anywhere from five dollars per match to as much as one hundred dollars per match. It is up to the tournament sponsor to keep his fee at the lowest possible figure to permit shooters to attend. This can be done by using volunteers as labor and keeping the awards reasonable.

Q: What use is made of NRA tournament registration fees?

A: These fees are used to offset a portion of the costs of the administration of NRA sanctioned tournaments and maintenance of the NRA competitor classification system. These fees are also used to pay the referee’s expenses in the case of Champi-

NRA Sanctioned Tournament Information http://www.nrahq.org/compete/tournaments/

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onship Tournaments. NRA also provides awards to sponsors for distribution at their match.

Q: Why should the statement “NRA Rules shall govern,” be in every program?

A: The tournament program is the vehicle which is used to cover all regulations concerning the tournament operation. For this reason, it is necessary that some such statement be made in order to let all competitors know the specific rules under which they are firing. The tournament sponsor has, in some cases, the privilege of specifying which NRA Rule will be in effect.

Q: Who is eligible to enter an NRA sanctioned tournament?

A: NRA rules do not require membership for participation in either Approved Tournaments or Sanctioned Leagues. If other restrictions are made by the tournament sponsor, they must be clearly stated in the Tournament Program. Restrictions placed on participation must not be in violation of any local, state or federal legislation.

Q: May special regulations be included in a program?

A: Yes. Such special regulations cannot contradict NRA tournament rules but may set up special “ground rules” for the range, a special firing procedure, a special award program, etc.

Q: What reports must be sent to the NRA after a tournament has been completed?

A: The Referee, Jury Chairman, or appointed Supervisor is responsible for making a personal report to the NRA and forms are provided for this purpose. An SR-1 card is also required for each competitor (SR-1A for international, SR-45 for Action Pistol). The bottom part of this two part card is to have the total number of shots and total score posted by the sponsor and be forwarded to NRA to be used for classification purposes. The tournament sponsor

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must also remit registration fees to the NRA, and a tournament report form must be submitted. A copy of the final results bulletin must be forwarded to the NRA for every Registered Tournament; Approved Tournaments which publish such official bulletins should also send a copy to the NRA. This must be done within 30 days of firing (Rule 19.13) at the same time as the scores and fees are submitted.

Q: Can a computer generated report be sent to NRA instead of the SR cards?

A: Yes. However, the report must include the tournament date, location and type of tournament (rifle, pistol, etc.). It must also include the following information for each competitor: NRA ID number, complete name & address, total shots fired and total score for the tournament. Do not include averages. The type size must be large enough to read for data entry purposes.

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