Do you know USPSA Competition rule 1.1.5.5? Do you know how to enforce it? Do you know that it is now allowed at all match levels? Let’s look at the April Question of the Month results and learn more.
The stage is a 28 round, Comstock long course. Stage procedure is engage targets from within the shooting area. Competitors must stay within the shooting area per 1.1.5.5.
The competitor engages T6 through T9 from position 1 and then engages T1-T2 from position 2. The competitor then moves to position 3 and engages T10-T12 and moves across the stage, outside the shooting area, in front of the wall. The competitor then engages T3-T5 from position 4 and T13-T14 from position 5. The competitor fired 2 shots at each target. How many procedural penalties did the competitor earn?
Before we shortcut to what the correct answer is (yes, pun intended), let’s talk about 1.1.5.5. This was a rule that was added in 2025, but only allowed at local matches. In 2026, the BOD decided to allow it at all match levels – yes, it can now be used at major matches. Here is 1.1.5.5 from the rulebook: 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.
The key points for this rule: 1.) You have to specify competitors must stay within the fault lines in the WSB, 2.) If a competitor takes a shortcut, it’s a per shot penalty, 3.) If you accidentally step out, or take a drop step to get momentum for movement within the fault lines, and step back in at the same position, then there is no penalty.
In the question the WSB did specify that competitors must stay within the shooting area. The competitor then proceeded to shortcut between positions 3 and 4 and engaged 5 targets after the shortcut. Which means since it’s a per shot penalty, and the competitor fired 2 shots at each of the 5 targets, the correct answer is 10 penalties.
1.1.5.5 is another tool for stage designers to add variety to a match. Just remember to make it clear in the WSB. And competitors, make sure you listen to the WSB so you know if it applies to a stage!