rules

1. Overview

2. Divisions & Classes

2.1 Primary Divisions

All athletes compete in one of three primary divisions, available in both Men’s and Women’s categories. Division selection is made at registration and reflects the athlete’s fitness capacity and shooting experience.

Each event publishes specific fitness implement weights, rep counts, and shooting configurations for each division in the stage brief. Percentages above are approximate guidelines. Shooting difficulty is differentiated by target size, stage design, and time pressure, not target distance: all divisions engage targets at the same distances.

2.2 Class Overlays

Athletes may declare one or more Class designations at registration. Classes do not change competitive standards, implement weights, or penalties. Class athletes compete fully within their primary division and are additionally ranked against other athletes in the same class.

Class awards are only given at events that specify prize eligibility, and require a minimum of 10 declared athletes in that class. If fewer than 10 athletes are in a class, results are recorded but no class awards are given.

3. Substitutions

Athletes in the Intermediate and Beginner divisions may use fitness substitutions on any stage. Substitutions include, but are not limited to, reducing the prescribed implement weight or substituting a movement entirely (such as performing burpees in place of a failed lift or carry). The specific substitution options available on a given stage are defined in the stage brief. If the stage brief does not define substitution options, athletes may not substitute.

4. Scoring

4.1 Total Time

All stages that use time-based scoring record a Total Time for each athlete:

Total Time = Raw Time + All Penalty Time

Raw Time is the elapsed clock time from the start signal to the athlete completing the stage or reaching the time cap. Penalty Time is the sum of all shooting penalties and any fitness or rep penalties assessed during scoring.

4.2 Stage Points

Each stage is assigned a point value in the stage brief. The athlete with the lowest Total Time earns the full point value. All others earn points proportionally:

Stage Points = (Winner's Total Time / Your Total Time) × Stage Point Value

Example: A stage is worth 100 points. The winner posts 150 seconds; you post 200 seconds. You earn (150 / 200) × 100 = 75 points.

4.3 AMRAP / Output Stages

Stages scored by repetitions, calories, or output rather than time use a proportional scoring system defined in the stage brief. The top output earns the full stage point value; all others earn a proportional percentage.

4.4 Event Placement

Athletes are ranked within their division by total accumulated stage points across all stages completed at the event. Higher total points place higher.

4.5 Awards & Eligibility

Podium placements, medals, and prizes are awarded only at events that explicitly designate prize eligibility in event materials. To be eligible for divisional or class awards, an athlete must:

• ▸ Complete at least three scored stages at the event
• ▸ Not have used any substitutions during the event
• ▸ Compete in the division and class declared at registration
• ▸ Meet the minimum caliber requirements in section 7.2

Class awards additionally require a minimum of 10 declared class athletes at the event. Classes below this threshold are results-only.

5. Penalties

5.1 Shooting Penalties — Defaults

This penalty structure applies to all shooting stages unless the stage brief specifies otherwise. The stage brief may override any or all of these defaults.

Hits on the scoring line (graze ring) are scored as the higher zone. All penalty determinations made by the RO or designated scorer are final unless a score dispute is filed within the dispute window.

5.2 Fitness / Rep Penalties

Some stages assess additional time penalties for incomplete reps or failed fitness movements, defined explicitly in the stage brief (a fixed-second addition per missed rep, a burpee penalty, or a mandatory redo of the movement). If the stage brief does not define fitness penalties, incomplete reps are recorded but carry no additional time beyond the completion time or DNF.

5.3 Did Not Finish (DNF)

An athlete who does not finish a stage within the time cap is recorded as a DNF. Their Total Time for that stage is:

DNF Total Time = Maximum Stage Time + Unfired Shot Penalties + Unfinished Rep Penalties

Unfired shots are assessed at the standard miss penalty rate or the stage brief override rate. Unfinished fitness reps are assessed per the stage brief if applicable. A DNF does not disqualify the athlete; they continue competing on all subsequent stages.

6. Ammunition

6.1 Approved Ammunition

Athletes are responsible for using safe, appropriate ammunition for the caliber of their firearm. All ammunition must function safely through the athlete’s firearm and magazine combination.

6.2 Prohibited on Steel Targets

The following ammunition types are strictly prohibited on any steel target at any TACFIT event:

• ▸ Steel-core ammunition of any type
• ▸ Armor-piercing (AP) or armor-piercing incendiary (API) ammunition
• ▸ Hollow point (HP) or jacketed hollow point (JHP) ammunition
• ▸ Any projectile with an exposed steel or carbide penetrator

7. Equipment

7.1 Plate Carriers

Elite & Intermediate: A plate carrier with a minimum weight of 15 lbs (men) / 12 lbs (women) is required. Weight must be verified at equipment check if requested by event staff.

Beginner: A plate carrier is optional; if worn, any weight is acceptable. Athletes not wearing a plate carrier must use a tactical rig or vest capable of securely retaining all required magazines throughout the full range of fitness movements.

7.2 Firearms & Caliber

Athletes may use any firearm that safely chambers and fires their chosen ammunition. There are no restrictions on action type, optics, slings, or accessories, except for the muzzle device rules below.

• ▸ Rifle caliber floor (awards): To be eligible for podium or any award, a rifle must be chambered in .223/5.56 NATO or larger. Smaller-caliber rifles may compete and receive a full score but are ineligible for prizes and awards.
• ▸ Pistol caliber floor (awards): To be eligible for podium or any award, a pistol must be chambered in 9mm or larger. Smaller-caliber pistols may compete and receive a full score but are ineligible for prizes and awards.
• ▸ Muzzle devices — rifle: Compensators and muzzle brakes are not permitted on rifles in any division. Devices that function solely as flash hiders or thread protectors are permitted. Suppressors are permitted where legally allowed.
• ▸ Muzzle devices — pistol: No restrictions. Run any pistol configuration you choose.

7.3 Safety Equipment

Ballistic-rated eye protection and adequate hearing protection are mandatory for all athletes during all stages. Any athlete found without eye or ear protection on a hot range will be stopped by the RO and issued a warning. A second violation may result in stage disqualification.

8. Range Commands

All TACFIT range commands are standardized to ensure consistent communication between Range Officers and athletes. Commands are given in English, and athletes are expected to know them all prior to competing. Failure to respond correctly to a command is a safety violation.

8.1 Combined Fitness & Shooting Stages

8.2 Shooting-Focused Stages

9. Clearing Procedures

9.1 Universal Clearing Procedure

Perform this any time you finish a shooting sequence and need to reholster a pistol or stage a rifle, including mid-stage transitions between shooting and fitness elements.

1. 1 Remove the source: drop the magazine and stow it securely. Keep the muzzle pointed downrange at all times.
2. 2 Lock or close: lock the bolt to the rear (or engage the bolt catch on AR-platform rifles). For pistols, lock the slide to the rear.
3. 3 Show clear: point the firearm downrange and present it to the RO so they can physically inspect the chamber and confirm it is empty.
4. 4 Hammer down: aim at the target and pull the trigger on the empty chamber to confirm the firearm is uncocked and safe.
5. 5 Holster or stage: pistols holster in a secure holster; rifles engage the manual safety, then go in the designated clearing box or staging area per the stage brief.
6. 6 Insert chamber flag: a high-visibility chamber flag must remain in the rifle any time it is not actively in use on the firing line.
7. 7 Signal clear: raise your hands and clearly shout “Clear” so the RO and judges can confirm.
8. 8 Receive confirmation: the RO or judge will say “Clear” back, officially ending the shooting phase. You may then proceed to the next element.

9.2 End-of-Stage — Semi-Auto Pistol

At the conclusion of a stage, the RO guides the athlete verbally using the commands in section 8. Do not begin any step until commanded.

• ▸ On “If finished, unload and show clear”: remove the magazine and stow it. Keep the muzzle pointed safely downrange at all times.
• ▸ Lock the slide fully to the rear using the slide stop or by racking the slide.
• ▸ Visually and physically inspect the chamber to confirm it is empty; tilt to aid inspection and present the open chamber to the RO.
• ▸ The RO visually inspects the chamber and magazine well.
• ▸ On “If clear, hammer down, holster”: release the slide forward, point downrange, pull the trigger on the empty chamber, then holster immediately.

9.3 End-of-Stage — Rifle

• ▸ On “If finished, unload and show clear”: remove the magazine and stow it securely. Keep the muzzle pointed safely downrange at all times.
• ▸ Lock the bolt or action fully to the rear (bolt catch on AR-platform rifles; the appropriate method on other platforms).
• ▸ Visually and physically inspect the chamber and feed area to confirm no round is present; present the open action to the RO.
• ▸ The RO visually inspects the chamber and action.
• ▸ On “If clear, safety on, sling”: release the bolt on an empty chamber, engage the manual safety, insert a high-visibility chamber flag, then sling or stage per the brief.

If an athlete cannot clear a malfunction and the firearm cannot be shown clear, the RO takes control of the firearm, flags it, and summons an armorer. The athlete must not force the action or manipulate the firearm beyond the RO’s instruction.

9.4 Moving Around the Venue

• ▸ Pistols must have the magazine removed and the chamber empty at all times when moving through the venue away from an active firing line, and must remain holstered.
• ▸ Rifles must have a high-visibility chamber flag inserted at all times when not in use on the firing line, clearly visible to range staff and other athletes.
• ▸ Do not load any firearm until given the “Load and Make Ready” command at the start of your assigned stage.

Failure to follow venue movement rules may result in a warning or stage disqualification at the Match Director’s discretion.

10. Safety & Disqualifications

10.1 General Safety Rules

All athletes are expected to handle all firearms safely at all times, on and off the stage. Standard safe gun-handling rules apply throughout the event:

• ▸ Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
• ▸ Never point a muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy
• ▸ Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until on target and ready to fire
• ▸ Know your target and what is beyond it

10.2 The 180-Degree Rule

10.3 Match DQ Offenses

The following result in immediate disqualification from the entire match. A disqualified athlete may not continue competing and forfeits all stage scores earned at that event.

• ▸ 180-degree muzzle direction violation
• ▸ Negligent discharge at any time, anywhere during the event
• ▸ Drawing or unholstering outside a designated shooting area or before “Load and Make Ready”
• ▸ Failure to comply with a Range Officer command
• ▸ Use of prohibited ammunition on steel targets
• ▸ Competing while under the influence of alcohol or impairing substances
• ▸ Intentional cheating, score manipulation, or interference with another athlete’s run
• ▸ Unsportsmanlike conduct, abuse of staff or officials, or conduct detrimental to the event
• ▸ Leaving a firearm unattended or unholstered on the range without RO supervision

The Match Director has final authority on all disqualification decisions. DQs are not subject to the score dispute process.

11. Stage Briefs

Each stage is independently designed and briefed. No two stages are required to use the same format, fitness elements, or shooting structure. A stage may take any form that safely tests the combination of physical performance and marksmanship. Stage briefs are provided before each stage and define all of the following, as applicable:

• ▸ Point value for the stage
• ▸ Division-specific fitness implement weights, distances, and rep counts
• ▸ Shooting target type, configuration, and any scoring zone designations
• ▸ Start position and conditions (loaded/unloaded, standing/grounded, etc.)
• ▸ Course of fire: movement sequence, shooting positions, and engagement order
• ▸ Allowed substitution options and exchange rates
• ▸ Any non-standard penalty rates or scoring rules that override the defaults
• ▸ Stage time cap and DNF time standard

The stage brief supersedes the general ruleset wherever it provides specific instruction. Athletes are responsible for fully understanding the stage brief before beginning. Questions must be raised during the designated walkthrough period, not after the start signal.

12. Event Operations

12.1 Registration & Class Declarations

All athletes must register before competing and declare their primary division and any class designations at registration. Division selection is binding for the event. Class declarations may be made at registration or at equipment check.

12.2 Equipment Check

Event staff may conduct equipment checks at any time before or during the event to verify plate carrier weights, firearm configurations, and ammunition compliance. Athletes must cooperate with all inspections. Failure to meet equipment standards may result in division reclassification or stage disqualification, depending on the violation.

12.3 Athlete Briefings

All athletes must attend the general event safety briefing before competing. Stage-specific briefs and walkthroughs are conducted immediately prior to each stage. Attendance is mandatory. An athlete who misses a stage briefing may not compete on that stage, at the Match Director’s discretion.

12.4 Score Posting & Disputes

Stage scores are posted promptly after each stage concludes. Athletes have a defined dispute window, stated in event materials and at least 15 minutes, to raise score disputes with any event official. The Match Director reviews all disputes and issues a final ruling. Disqualification decisions are not subject to the dispute process.

13. Division Integrity

Athletes are expected to compete in the division that accurately reflects their ability. Competing below your true ability level to accumulate wins is unsportsmanlike and undermines the competitive environment for other athletes.

An athlete who finishes on the podium (top 3) in a division at two or more events within a season may be required by the Match Director to compete in the next higher division at subsequent events. This is at the Match Director’s discretion based on overall performance relative to the field. Athletes who wish to voluntarily move up a division may do so at registration for any event.

14. Ruleset Amendments & Authority

This ruleset is the governing standard for all TACFIT competitions. Event directors may adapt, clarify, or supplement rules in individual event documentation; any stage-level adaptations must be communicated in the stage brief prior to competition.

Material changes to division standards, scoring structure, or disqualification policy are published with a minimum of 14 days advance notice to registered athletes before taking effect. The Match Director’s interpretation of this ruleset is final during a live event.

Version 1.0 · January 2026 · TACFIT Competition Ruleset