That makes it so easy to read, I decided to just write a stream-of-consciousness commentary here, as I read through the 65-page document.
Chapter 1: Course Design
When you start reading the new rules, the FIRST thing you find (on page 2) is that the "Course Design" chapter begins with "General Principles of Course Design". Anybody who started shooting IPSC before the international rule book began to de-emphasize the Principles of Practical Shooting will recognize this section as an effective reiteration of the original Principles. This version segues neatly into rules regulating course design, but it marries the two concepts into a presentation which demonstrates that course design should, and can, evolve directly from the original Principles.
Chapter 2: Course Construction and Modification
'Minimum Distance' for engagement of steel targets is 23 feet (no more euro-centric meters!), with fault lines to be set at 26 feet so that a competitor who inadvertently faults the 26 foot line should not fault the 23 foot minimum distance. Rule 10.5.17 applies, which mandates a match DQ for 'unsafe gun handling' as a consequence of engaging steel targets within the minimum distance. That absolves us of the wishy-washy rules in the most recent rules which are not, to my mind, sufficient to make the point that SAFETY is the primary consideration.
The companion rule on 'Target Locations' reinforces the concept of SAFETY.
There is also an admonition to witness targets and place Pepper Poppers in such a way that they don't have to be repeatedly re-calibrated during the match as the base, for example sinks into the surface of the bay every time the heavy metal target hits the base. And one to place steel and cardboard targets so that there is not too much damage to the cardboard caused by 'splatter' from the steel. Not rules, just a helpful reminder.
A note for the vilifiers of the "Hanging Ninja" rule: Static 'Classic' targets may not be presented at an angle greater than 45 degrees from the vertical. No such restrictions on static 'Metric' target, thank you very much.
The oft-confusing rule about "Level I matches are not required to strictly abide by" some rules ... not identified ... has been reworded to, here, refer only to a rule that appearing targets must be obscured to the competitor prior to activation. Nicely done, USPSA!
In "Course Construction Criteria", the term "boundary lines" is replaced by "off-limits lines". Shooting Boxes and Fault Lines (but not 'charge lines') are still there, so we don't have to worry about what to call a line which restricts lateral or to-the-rear movement. "Off-limits lines" are waist-high and intended to keep the competitor (or other people on the stage) from wandering into an area where shots may be directed, if I understand this correctly.
As I mentioned in an earlier article, the egregious 'Fault Lines Extending Rearward' are still 'deemed to extend rearward to infinity'. This rule is, in my opinion, problematic. We'll just have to wait and see.
Here's a big improvement, a rule which cautions stage designers/construction teams from using shooting boxes at prone shooting positions. In the past, I've seen shooting boxes used at a location where the only way to engage the targets was in a prone position, and the shooting box was so small (8 feet long, 4 feet wide) that some competitors were penalized for a 'foot fault' when one foot flopped outside the box.
Worse, some Range Officers have been known to erroneously assign per-shot penalties for this foot fault, when it was obvious that no advantage was gained. It's still possible that a stage design might need a shooting box at a prone location, but perhaps they will all be big enough that big people can fit into them without overflowing. So to speak.
In Modifications to Course Construction, we see the direct reference to 'forbidden actions'. Essentially, a dangerous situation (or unfair competitive advantage) may be found to exist during the match. Rather than change the stage construction, this rule (2.3.11) allows the Range Master to 'explicitly forbid certain competitor actions'.
I've seen this in a recent club match where the competitor was required to climb up onto a railed platform to engage a target array. Some competitors climbed up on the railing to engage a second target array, rather than dismount the platform, run around to the side of the bay and engage the targets through a low port. This saved significant time on the stage, but was decidedly dangerous.
This rule is a useful and powerful tool to enforce SAFETY measures which competitors, in the heat of competition, are not always able to recognize.
In Safety Areas, we see that they must now be clearly identified by a sign. This is now a rule (albeit one without penalty) and will help avoid the confusion between a table which is provided to support range bags and a Safety Table. We see that at some ranges. Not all.
Also, Safety Areas must include 'boundaries'. One can only assume that this is a line on the ground which delineates the extent of the Safety Area. We often see people handling ammunition, for example, in the near proximity to a 'Safety Table'. The addition of 'boundaries' will be a small expense, and less small inconvenience, to host ranges. However, I think it's an idea which is long overdue.
This new rule book also includes another long overdue concept: an 'unloading/loading station'. This is an area where competitors or visitors who arrive at the range while carrying a loaded firearm (by virtue of a 'concealed handgun license' or other such license) may safely and legally unload their concealed firearm upon arrival, and re-load it prior to departure. In light of the now-wide spread state regulations allowing Concealed Carry, this allows free exercise of American 2nd Amendment rights. I am in hearty approval of this rule, and I hope that every range in America will promptly provide such facilities. Again, it is a new expense and may cause some grumbling by Range Administrators. Well, they will just have to catch up with the times, won't they.
Chapter 3: Course Information
New rule 3.2.5.1 continues with the 'forbidden actions' definitions. If a competitor engages in a 'forbidden action', he will be required to reshoot the stage.
Here's a bit of confusing terminology:
"Subsequent violations by any competitor will be subject to the provisions of rule 10.2.11"
Rule 10.2.11: A competitor who commits a forbidden action (See rules 2.3.11 and 3.2.5) will be stopped immediately and receive a zero score for the stage. Flagrant or intentional violation may be subject to disqualification (see Rule 10.6)I THINK I understand the intentions of Rule 3.2.5, but the verbiage is a little confusing and, perhaps, subject to mis-interpretation.
[Geek NOTE: 10.6 is a Match DQ for 'Unsportsmanlike Conduct.]
I THINK that what they are trying to say is, a repeated violation of the same 'forbidden action' by the same competitor is subject to the provisions of rule 10.2.11.
But that's not what it says. Let's look at the rule again:
"Subsequent violations by any competitor will be subject to the provisions of rule 10.2.11"
The actual verbiage suggests that, once a 'forbidden action' has been posted, if ANY competitor violates it, that constitutes the "I told you once, this is your final warning" condition for the entire match. After one person violates it, the next competitor who violates the 'forbidden action' ... even if it's another competitor ... they will be DQ'd.
Here's a suggested way of saying the same thing, and consistent with my first interpretation:
"A repeated violation of that 'forbidden action' by the same competitor will be subject to the provisions of rule 10.2.11"
That makes more sense to me, but it may NOT be the intention of the rule. Until we receive a clarification, your guess is as good as mine.
That's enough for one article. I'll continue summarizing in the
Geek General Observations 2.
No comments:
Post a Comment