Rule 1.1.5.5 is relatively new to USPSA Competition matches which means everyone is still learning how to properly enforce it. This Question of the Month tested your knowledge of 1.1.5.5. Let’s see what the correct answer is.
Stage: Comstock scored, 30 round stage with 15 USPSA targets.
Start Position: Inside shooting area with feet on marks and wrists below belt. Handgun loaded and holstered.
Procedure: Upon audible start signal, engage targets from within the shooting area. Competitor must stay within the fault lines per 1.1.5.5.
What happened: Competitor engages 4 targets from the start position and retreats backwards. While retreating, one foot steps out of the shooting area (X mark). Competitor brings foot back in and engages 2 targets. The competitor then moves to the left and engages 3 more targets. The competitor then cuts across two fault lines and engages the last 6 targets from within the fault lines. The competitor only fired 2 shots at each target.
What is your call as the RO?
First, let’s look at 1.1.5.5: The Written Stage Briefing may specify that competitors must stay within the fault lines for the entire course of fire. Movement outside the fault lines will incur a per shot procedural penalty for any targets engaged after such movement. Drop steps are allowed, as are inadvertent steps outside the fault lines, as long as the competitor steps back into the fault lines in the same location.
There are three parts to this rule. First, the WSB may specify that competitors must stay within the fault lines and it does in this question. The next part outlines the penalty for violating the rule and it is a per shot penalty for targets engaged after movement outside of the shooting area. The last part is the exceptions which are inadvertent steps and drop steps as long as the competitor enters at the same location. Basically, this rule can be implemented to prevent shortcuts outside the shooting area.
Looking at the stage and situation outlined in the question, the competitor had an inadvertent step with one foot outside the shooting area as he backed up (X mark on right side of shooting area). Since he didn’t fire a shot while foot faulting (see 10.2.1 for that penalty), this is not penalized per 1.1.5.5.
The competitor then moved to the other side of the stage, shot some targets and then moved downrange and crossed two fault lines. Yes, both feet were out and both feet touched the ground. There wasn’t a long jump type leap that avoided any contact with the ground like some of the comments on social media said could be done. Did the competitor shortcut outside the fault lines, yes. Did it really save him any time or steps, no, but 1.1.5.5 doesn’t allow for subjective application. Which means it will be a per shot penalty for the 6 targets engaged after the movement. And 12 procedurals is the correct answer.
But what if the competitor did the shortcut and realized his mistake before firing a shot? Can he run back uprange to where he left the shooting area and move downrange again within the fault lines and eliminate the penalty? That action is not one of the listed exceptions. Our sport doesn’t allow folks to fix penalties. If you engage targets while foot faulting, then bring your foot in and reengage the targets, you still get the foot fault penalty. If you shoot freestyle when it should have been strong hand only, shooting the targets a second time with just your strong hand doesn’t erase the penalties.
This is why paying attention to the WSB is important. If you don’t pay attention and take a shortcut on a 1.1.5.5 stage, it can be very costly to your score.
Remember to cast your vote in the current Question of the Month!