Rules
1. General Conduct
1.1 Code of Conduct
1.1.1 All participants, spectators, and officials are expected to conduct themselves
in an orderly manner during the entirety of the match. It is everyone’s responsibility to
read and understand the rules set forth in this document. Everyone in attendance will
be subject to these rules.
1.2 Eye Protection
1.2.1 Wrap-around eye protection is MANDATORY for all participants,
spectators, and officials while on or near the range complex.
1.3 Ear Protection
1.3.1 Ear Protection is MANDATORY for all participants, spectators, and
officials while on or near the range complex.
1.4 Hats (Brimmed Headwear)
1.4.1 Hats are MANDATORY for all participants, spectators, and officials while
on or near the range complex.
1.5 Pants and Long Sleeve Shirts
1.5.1 Pants and long-sleeved shirts are recommended for all participants.
1.6 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
1.6.1 A participant shall be disqualified at the discretion of the Match Director
(MD) or shall receive a penalty from the Range Officer (RO). Unsportsmanlike
Conduct includes but is not limited to cheating, harassing, disruptive behavior, etc..
1.7 Cheating
1.7.1 Altering a target prior to scoring to avoid incurring a penalty or to gain an
advantage.
1.7.2 Altering or falsifying scores
1.7.3 Blind firing at a target to avoid incurring a penalty
1.7.4 A participant who intentionally loses or displaces eye or ear protection
during a course of fire shall be deemed to be cheating.
1.7.5 Disruptive behavior from another participant, in an attempt to disturb or
distract other participants that are shooting a course of fire.
1.8 Grounds for Disqualification
1.8.1 A participant shall be disqualified for safety, or unsportsmanlike
conduct, which includes, but is not limited to cheating.
1.8.1.1 Any violation of any of the Cardinal Rules as set forth in 2.2 shall be
immediate grounds for disqualification.
1.8.1.2 Endangering any person, including yourself. This includes flagging
oneself or anyone else with a loaded or unloaded firearm. Flagging is defined as
allowing the muzzle of the firearm (loaded or unloaded) to cross or cover any
portion of a person. (failure to follow safety rule #2).
1.8.1.3 Intentionally engaging (discharging the firearm) at anything other than a
designated target or activator.
1.8.1.4 Dropping a loaded or unloaded firearm at any point after the “Make
Ready” command or before the “Range is Clear” command.
1.9 Accidental Discharge
1.9.1 A participant who causes an accidental discharge during a stage will be
stopped as soon as possible and shall be disqualified. Examples of an accidental
discharge are as follows.
1.9.1.1 A shot, which determined by a match official, is deemed to be in an unsafe direction.
1.9.1.2 A shot which strikes the ground within 2 yards of the participant, except when shooting
a target from an engagement within that prescribed distance.
1.9.1.3 A shot which occurs while holstering or unholstering, the firearm during or after the
conduct of the stage has concluded.
1.9.1.4 A shot which occurs when loading or unloading the firearm.
1.9.1.5 A shot which occurs when transferring the firearm between hands.
1.9.1.6 A shot which occurs during movement, unless actively engaging targets on the move.
1.9.2 Exception: A bullet or shot that strikes the ground within 5 yards of the participant due to
a “squib” shall not be subject to rule 1.9.
1.9.3 Disqualifications will be reviewed and finalized only by the Match
Director.
2. Safety
2.1 Safety Brief
2.1.1 An initial Safety Brief will be conducted by the Match Director or Designee
prior to the beginning of the entire match.
2.1.2 The initial safety brief will cover at minimum
2.1.2.1 Cardinal safety rules
2.1.2.2 Required safety equipment
2.1.2.3 Weapons handling throughout entirety of the match
2.1.2.4 Medical mishap procedures
2.1.2.5 Identification of key personnel
2.1.3 The Match Director (MD) or Designee will brief the shooters on the
commands they will be hearing throughout the entirety of the match.
2.1.4 These commands are used to conduct loading, unloading, firing, movement,
and to indicate safe and unsafe range conditions.
2.2 Cardinal Rules
2.2.1 Rule 1 - Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
2.2.2 Rule 2 - Point your firearms in a safe direction - one where an unintentional
discharge will cause NO HUMAN INJURY and, at most, minor property damage.
AKA "the laser rule".
2.2.3 Rule 3 - Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard,
indexed along the frame or slide until you are on target and have decided to fire.
2.2.4 Rule 4 - Be sure of your target/threat, backstop, and beyond.
2.3 Cold Range Procedures
2.3.1 The Battle of the Badges operates a cold range. All weapons must be
unloaded and holstered with no magazine inserted unless under the direct supervision
of a Range Officer (RO). Upon arrival and during the shooter's meeting, ensure your
weapon is completely empty and holstered. All weapons will be unloaded and
holstered throughout the whole event unless under the direct supervision of a Range
Officer or in designated “Safe Areas”.
2.4 Safe Areas
2.4.1 NO AMMO will be allowed in or around the “Safe Area”
2.4.2 The safe areas are designated areas that are clearly marked and are areas
where shooters can remove their firearms from the holster to inspect them and check
functionality.
2.4.3 While firearms are out in the safe areas, all safety rules previously stated still
apply.
2.5 180 Degree Rule
2.5.1 The 180-Degree Rule is an imaginary line parallel to the participant in
relation to the downrange area when the participant is facing downrange squared to
the target area.
2.5.2 If the participant allows the muzzle of a firearm to break the 180-degree
plane as determined by the specific stage, it shall be grounds for disqualification.
2.5.3 The 180-Degree Rule applies to both vertical planes, as well as horizontal
planes.
2.5.4 Variations MAY be authorized to the 180-Degree Rule if explicitly stated in
the written stage brief.
2.6 Flagging
2.6.1 Allowing the muzzle of a firearm to point at another participant, spectator,
or personnel during a stage, shall be grounds for disqualification.
2.6.2 Allowing the muzzle of a firearm to point at your own body, also referred to
as “sweeping” may result in a disqualification. The only exception to this rule is
during the draw process on any part of the body below the waist of that participant..
3. Equipment
3.1 Firearms
3.1.1 Firearms will be or resemble (in nature) those issued by participant’s Law
Enforcement agency.
3.2 Magazines
3.2.1 Magazines and their capacity will be or resemble that of participant’s
standard issued duty magazines.
3.3 Body Armor / Duty Belt
3.3.1 Body armor, duty belt, and holster will be or resemble (in nature) those
issued by participant’s Law Enforcement agency.
3.4 Ammunition
3.4.1 Tracer, incendiary, armor piercing, steel jacketed, and steel/tungsten core
rounds are prohibited with no exceptions.
4. Range Personnel, Commands, and Procedures
4.1 Match Director (MD)
4.1.1 The MD will oversee the conduct of the match with safety, disqualifications,
and overall conduct of the match. The MD has the final input on any and all issues
regarding but not limited to disqualifications, reshoots, calibration contests, etc.
4.2 Range Officer (RO)
4.2.1 There will be a dedicated RO to each individual stage and will remain at that
stage for the entirety of the match. The Range Officer issues commands, oversees
participant compliance within the written stage brief, and monitors the conduct of the
participant throughout the execution of that specific stage. Declares times, hits (when
applicable), and oversees the correctness of scoring each participants course of fire.
4.3 Volunteers
4.3.1 The volunteers’ duties will be assisting in any way deemed necessary by the
Match Director and Range Officers for the entirety of the match. They will adhere to
the same guidelines as outlined in this document.
4.4 Range Commands
4.4.1 “Make Ready”
4.4.1.1 The course of fire begins with the “Make Ready” command. Once this command is
given, the participant is allowed an unloaded sight picture (if they choose). They are responsible
during this time to be in accordance with the starting position stated in the written stage brief
awaiting the next command from the RO.
4.4.2 “Are You Ready”
4.4.2.1 After the participant has adhered to the start position in the Written Stage Brief they
will receive the “Are you Ready” command. If the participant acknowledges with a “NO” the
command will be given 2-3 seconds later until the participant verbally states “YES”, shakes their
head “YES”, or says and does nothing. At this point the following command will be stated.
4.4.3 “Standby”
4.4.3.1 Immediately after “Standby” the timer will be activated within one to four seconds to
begin the stage.
4.4.4 “If You Are Finished, Unload and Show Clear”
4.4.4.1 At this time, if the participant has finished shooting, they will clear out their firearm and
present it to the RO for inspection while keeping the muzzle downrange.
4.4.5 “If Clear, Hammer Down and Holster”
4.4.5.1 This command will be given to the participant immediately after the RO has visually
inspected that the firearm is clear.
4.4.6 “Range Is Clear, Score and Reset”
4.4.6.1 This command shall be issued only after the stage has been cleared of all loaded
firearms. This command will then be followed by the RO or Designee scoring all targets and
resetting them only after the RO or Designee has visually inspected each target.
4.5 Additional Range Commands (When Applicable)
4.5.1 “STOP”
4.5.1.1 Any RO can issue this command at any point throughout the course of fire. If this
command is issued, the participant must IMMEDIATELY cease-fire and stop moving. They will
await further instructions from the RO.
4.5.2 “FINGER”
4.5.2.1 Any RO can issue this command at any point throughout the course of fire. This
command is an initial verbal warning indicating to the participant that their finger was not
adhering to at least one of the below:
4.5.2.1.1 The trigger finger must remain outside of the trigger guard when loading,
unloading, reloading the firearm, or clearing a malfunction.
4.5.3 “MUZZLE, MUZZLE, MUZZLE”
4.5.3.1 Any RO can issue this command at any point throughout the course of fire. This
command is an initial verbal warning indicating to the participant that the muzzle of their firearm
is approaching the 180-degree safety plane in respect to that stage.
4.5.4 “FOOT”
4.5.4.1 Any RO can issue this command at any point throughout the course of fire. This
command is an initial verbal warning indicating to the participant that their foot is stepping on
the ground or an object outside of the Shooting Box or Fault Line.
4.6 Written Stage Brief
4.6.1 A Written Stage Brief must be posted at each course of fire prior to the
commencement of the match. This briefing will take precedence over any course of
fire information published or otherwise communicated to participants in advance of
the match, and it must provide the following minimum information:
4.6.1.1 Scoring Method
4.6.1.2 Targets (Type and Number)
4.6.1.3 Minimum number of rounds required
4.6.1.4 Firearm ready condition
4.6.1.5 Start Position (Should be demonstrated by the RO)
4.6.1.6 Procedure
4.6.2 The RO must verbally read the Written Stage Brief to all squads verbatim.
4.6.3 The Match Director (MD) may modify a Written Stage Brief at any point in
time for the sake of clarity, consistency, or safety reasons.
4.6.4 After the Written Stage Brief has been read, questions must wait until the 5-
minute walkthrough commences.
4.7 Stage Order of Events
4.7.1 Roll Call
4.7.2 Shooting order established
4.7.3 Written Stage Brief read
4.7.4 5 Minute Walk Through
4.7.5 Clear stage for 1st shooter
4.7.6 Conduct stage run
4.7.7 Score and reset all targets
4.7.8 Clear stage for 2nd shooter
4.7.9 REPEAT
4.8 Shooting Order
4.8.1 Shooting order can be decided within the squad
4.8.2 Announcing the shooting order will be conducted by the score keeper on that
stage. The usual way to announce shooting order is as follows:
4.8.2.1 Name 1 “is my shooter”
4.8.2.2 Name 2 “is on deck”
4.8.2.3 Name 3 “is in the hole”
4.8.2.4 Name 4 “is in the deep hole”
5. Scoring
5.1 Unlimited Scoring
5.1.1 The participant is able to fire as many rounds as they deem necessary to
achieve the best score per target.
5.1.2 Each target requires only two rounds unless specifically stated otherwise in
the written stage brief.
5.1.3 To calculate an unlimited score the participants’ total points will be added to
the raw time of the stage plus any penalties incurred.
5.2 Limited Scoring
5.2.1 The participant is only allowed to fire the specific number of rounds stated
in the written stage brief.
5.2.2 If the participant fires more rounds at a target than the indicated number as
stated in the written stage brief, there will be a penalty associated to any excess round
fired.
5.2.3 If excessive rounds were fired on a target the participant will also receive the
lower value of each excessive shot.
5.2.4 For example, if the participant fired 1 extra shot, they will receive the score
for the 2 lowest valued shots on or off target.
5.3 Incomplete Stage
5.3.1 The participant for any reason was unable to complete a stage due to gear,
ammunition, weapon, or anything related to a failure in respect to the participant.
5.3.2 When this occurs the stage will be scored “AS IS”.
5.3.3 The only exception to this rule is if there is a failure in anything stage
specific which may include, but is not limited to, broken walls, props, or targets.
5.4 Did Not Complete Match
5.4.1 A participant who chooses to not fire a stage will receive a DNF “Did Not
Fire” on that stage.
5.4.2 The shooter may continue to shoot the rest of the match.
5.5 Reasonable Doubt
5.5.1 When a Range Officer has a reasonable doubt on a scoring call (including
penalties) the RO will award the better score to the shooter.
5.5.2 This also applies to possible doubles. However, this does not automatically
mean that every miss is a double.
5.5.3 Video or still photography cannot be used to determine the shooter’s score
or appeal the decision of a Range Officer or Match Director.
5.5.4 Typically, bullet holes leave a grease ring, and it is used to determine the
outside diameter of the hole for scoring. However, bullets do not have to have a grease
ring to be scored as a hit. (e.g., bullets passing through other targets, clothing, soft
cover, etc., may not produce a grease ring) so it is possible to allow the hit to be
scored.
5.5.5 A radial tear must not be used to give a shooter a better score. If the actual
area of the bullet hole does not reach the next better scoring ring, the shooter gets the
lower score even if the tear reaches the next higher scoring ring.
5.6 Props and Barriers
5.6.1 Stage props are commonly used to represent hard cover or impenetrable
objects such as walls, cars, barricades, and furniture such as desks and file cabinets.
5.6.2 Truly impenetrable objects may also be used as hard cover in a stage. Props
used to simulate walls are considered impenetrable and extend from the ground to
infinity.
5.6.3 Walls shall not be shot under or over unless specifically stated in the written
stage brief.
5.6.4 Simulated walls can have ports and/or windows within them for shooting or
other purposes. Mesh and netting may be substituted for solid coverings and are
always considered hard cover for scoring purposes.
5.6.5 The Battle of the Badges requires that course designers standardize black for
simulated hard cover.
5.6.6 The Battle of the Badges standardizes white for soft cover simulation, or use
props such as windows, curtains, shrubs, etc.
5.6.7 Any shot that puts a full diameter hole in an object designated as simulated
hard cover and continues to penetrate a target will be considered to have missed the
target, (whether the target is a threat or a non-threat). If the range officer cannot tell
which shot through the hard cover hit a threat target, remove the best hit from the
target for each full diameter hole in the hardcover. Shots that penetrate soft cover and
go on to strike a target will be scored as hits, (whether the target is a threat or a nonthreat).
Simulated Threat and Non-Threat indicators painted or marked, regardless of
color, are not hard cover. Threat indicators made of impenetrable material are
considered hard cover.
5.7 Bullet Holes
5.7.1 Oval or elongated bullet holes made in a target that exceed two bullet
diameters (of the caliber used by the shooter) do not count for score.
5.7.2 The elongated bullet hole rule does not include keyhole bullet holes (a
keyhole bullet hole is created by a bullet which tumbles out of the firearm barrel and
appears to have gone through the target sideways,) which count for score.
5.7.2.1 Exception: A bullet that had been fired and shot through a wall, barrel, or any other
stage prop, that tumbles in the air and hits the target will be deemed as a shoot through and will
not be scored.
5.7.3 Only holes made by whole bullets, not fragments, are scored.
5.7.4 Only bullet holes entering the front of the target will be scored.
5.8 Threat and Non-Threat Designation
5.8.1 Non-threat targets must be designated by displaying a pair of normal sized
open hands of contrasting color, at least one of which must be visible from all
shooting positions where the target may be engaged.
5.8.2 Threat targets may be designated by displaying a normal sized threat
indicator (like a firearm or knife) that is visible from all shooting positions where the
target may be engaged.
5.8.3 Threat indicators of different kinds all have equal threat value and do not
change target engagement priority.
5.8.3.1 For example, a knife is equal in threat to a shotgun, rifle, or other firearms, or an
unmarked target. Threat and non-threat indicators may be painted or marked on the targets or
covering clothing, or may be clipped or stapled to the target.
5.9 Target Scoring Zones
5.9.1 “Head” refers to the part of the cardboard IDPA silhouette above the
neckline.
5.9.2 Shots designated for the “head” or “head only” must hit the part of the
cardboard silhouette within the scoring area above the neckline, or they are counted as
a miss, even if they hit another part of the silhouette.
5.9.3 “Body” refers to the part of the cardboard IDPA silhouette below the
neckline. Shots designated for the “body” or “body only” must hit the part of the
cardboard silhouette within the scoring area below the neckline, or they are counted as
a miss, even if they hit another part of the silhouette.
5.9.4 “Target” refers to the whole cardboard IDPA silhouette, including the head
and body described above. Shots designated for a “target” (or sometimes T1, T2, etc.)
can hit anywhere within the scoring area in the body or the head for score. A single
points down cardboard IDPA silhouette target must not be divided into two or more
scoring areas that are scored separately. For example, a line of black tape may not be
used to turn a single target into two targets, with separate scoring being possible on
both areas.
5.10 Hit on Non-Threat
5.10.1 A Hit on a Non-Threat (HNT) is defined as a hit in any scoring zone of a
target that is designated as a non-threat. A reactive non-threat target (steel, reactive
polymer, etc.) must react properly when hit to be scored as a HNT.
5.11 Scoring Procedures
5.11.1 No persons will touch or interfere with any target that has just been shot and
has not yet been scored by the Range Officer.
5.11.1.1 If a target is interfered with by the participant, they will receive a procedural for the
offense.
5.11.1.2 If a target is interfered with by any other participant, that participant will receive a
procedural for the offense.
5.11.1.3 If a target is interfered with by any Match Official, the participant will be granted a
reshoot.
5.11.2 If a target is reset and/or taped before it is scored, the RO will try to give the
correct score if it can be discerned. If the correct score cannot be discerned, the
participant will be granted a reshoot.
5.11.3 The Range Officer will not touch the target on the front or back at any point
during the scoring process.
5.11.4 If a target is scored and taped before the participant can see the target, the
score stands.
5.11.5 If a target is not taped between shooters, the RO will try to give the correct
score if it can be discerned. Otherwise, the shooter will be given a reshoot or benefit
of the doubt.
5.11.6 Targets where a scoring dispute is ongoing will be pulled from the stage and
held for inspection by the Match Director or Designee.
5.12 Calibration of Reactive Targets
5.12.1 Reactive targets must physically react to score.
5.12.2 All reactive targets in a match, poppers, plates, etc., will be calibrated so
they will react properly when hit in the “calibration zone”.
5.12.3 Typically, the “calibration zone” of the target is the circular plate portion of
the popper.
5.12.4 For initial calibration, each reactive popper must be set to fall when hit
within the calibration zone. The shot must be fired from the furthest location the
specific stage permits.
5.12.5 The Match Director or designee will calibrate all reactive targets prior to the
start of the match.
5.12.6 The stage RO can call for a reactive target calibration on their stage at any
time if deemed necessary.
5.13 Calibration Challenges
5.13.1 If during a stage a reactive target does not react properly when hit, the
participant has three choices.
5.13.1.1 The participant shoots the target until it reacts properly, the target is scored
as hit, and the stage score stands. In this case, no calibration challenge will be
permitted.
5.13.1.2 The target does not react properly, and the shooter does not challenge the
calibration, the target is scored as a miss and the stage score stands. A challenge
after the shooter knows the stage score or individual target scores will not be
permitted.
5.13.1.3 The target is left standing, and the participant wishes to challenge the
calibration. In this case, the target and the surrounding area must not be interfered
with by any person. If a Match Official violates this rule, the participant will
receive credit for a hit, and no penalties will be added. If the participant in question
violates this rule, the participant will receive no credit for the target and the stage
will be scored “AS IS”. If any other participant violates this rule, that participant
will receive a procedural penalty, and the participant in question will receive credit
for the target, and no penalties will be added. If the reactive target falls for any
non-interference reason prior to calibration (i.e. wind, etc.), the participant will be
afforded a reshoot.
5.14 Calibration Test
5.14.1 The MD will fire one round of calibration ammo at the reactive target
calibration zone from the same position, or as near as possible to the point from where
the participant engaged the target.
5.14.2 If the target is hit in the calibration zone or lower and the target reacts
properly, the calibration is deemed correct, and the target will be scored as a miss.
5.14.3 If the target is hit above the calibration zone, the Calibration Test failed, and
the shooter will receive credit for the target and no penalties will be added. The target
must now be re-calibrated.
5.14.4 If the target is hit anywhere on the scorable surface and the target does not
react properly, the target calibration will be deemed improper. The participant will
receive credit for the target, and no penalties will be added. The target must now be
re-calibrated.
5.14.5 If the target is missed altogether, another round must be fired until one of
rules 5.16.1 through 5.16.4 occurs.
6. Penalties
6.1 Failure to Engage (Less than 50 Yards) (Additional +5 Seconds)
6.2 Failure to Engage (Greater than 50 Yards) (Additional +10 Seconds)
6.3 Miss on Target (Less than 50 Yards) (Additional +2.5 Seconds)
6.4 Miss on Target (Greater than 50 Yards) (Additional +5 Seconds)
6.5 Procedural (Additional +3 Seconds)
6.5.1 Foot faults, a participant who fires a shot while any part of their body is
touching the ground on the outside of the shooting area. Stepping on fault lines and
engaging a target does not constitute a procedural. The participant will receive a
procedural for EACH round fired while outside of the prescribed shooting area. (This
rule also applies to a shooter who engages a target from outside the specifically stated
shooting area or position, if indicated in the Written Stage Brief).
6.5.1.1 For example, if the participant is required to engage a specific target from
on top of a shooting platform, barricade, or any other prop, the shooter will incur
a penalty from each shot fired if not adhering to the above.
6.5.2 A procedural may occur if failing to adhere to the below.
6.5.3 If a participant engages a target from the incorrect shooting area, (Dependent
on the Written Stage Brief).
6.5.3.1 Additionally, if the participant intentionally and purposefully engages a
target from an incorrect shooting area to gain an advantage amongst other
participants, will result in a Failure to Do Right penalty as outlined in 6.7
6.5.4 Failure to start in the correct starting position indicated in the Written Stage
Brief.
6.5.5 Using any prop or structure to support their firearm while engaging targets,
unless specifically stated otherwise in the Written Stage Brief.
6.6 Hit on Non-Threat (Additional +5 Seconds)
6.6.1 A procedural will be given for a hit on a Non-Threat target.
6.6.2 The participant will only receive 1 procedural per Non-Threat target that was
hit.
6.6.2.1 For example, if a participant hits the same Non-Threat target 4 times, the
participant will only receive 1 procedural for that target.
6.7 Failure To Do Right (Additional +20 Seconds)
6.7.1 A Failure To Do Right penalty is assessed for gross unsportsmanlike
conduct.
6.7.2 Non-inclusive examples of this conduct are:
6.7.2.1 Swearing at or intimidating an RO, throwing a piece of equipment on the
ground, throwing a tantrum for any reason or violating the shooter’s code of
conduct.
7. Divisions
7.1 Optics Division
7.1.1 Optics division is for shooters that have optics on their firearms that are
issued by their agency
7.2 Iron Sights Division
7.2.1 Iron sights division is for shooters that have only iron sights on their agency
issued firearms.
7.3 Retired Division
7.3.1 Retired division is for any shooters that are retired from any law
enforcement agency. The retired division will require a entry fee.
8. Arbitration
8.1 Arbitration will occur at the end of the match after the scores have been
posted onto practiscore.
8.1.1 During this time shooters will have approximately 10 minutes to
locate any errors in the scores and bring them before the match director.
8.1.2 Any arbitrations must be approved by Match Director.
8.1.3 The arbitration period is for major and obvious errors in the score.
8.1.4 Arbitration is not for correcting small raw time or points down
errors. These must be spotted after each course of fire by the shooter and
brought to the attention of the range officer.