Airsoft Rules

The Lone Star Shooting Association (LSSA) is the governing body of a 3-gun shooting sport.  Shooters are put into situations that simulate real life shooting encounters or test their shooting skills. It was founded in 2011 as a response to the desires of shooters worldwide to have a shooting sport with simple rules and a simple, quick scoring method.

We saw a need to include the use of airsoft guns in our sport.  Some countries do not allow their citizens to participate in shooting sports with real guns.  Also, many people like competition shooting with airsoft.  Using airsoft is an excellent way to teach gun safety to youth.

RULES

Safety

  1. In the United States federal law requires that all airsoft guns must have orange tips to designate that they are not lethal weapons.
  2. Even though airsoft guns fire pellets, they should be treated as if they fired real bullets.
  3. No airsoft guns should be fired at close range or pointed at another person
  4. Eye protection must be worn by all persons on the shooting range.
  5. No handling of guns except under the direction of a Safety Officer
  6. You must remove your weapons magazine and clear the action after completing the course of fire.  Sidearm’s should be holstered and on safe.

Competition

  1. Competitors will not attempt to circumvent or compromise the spirit or rationale of any stage either by the use of inappropriate devices, equipment or techniques.
  2. LSSA airsoft matches try to replicate real gun use as closely as possible, the hosing of full or semi automatic fire (shifting shooting from target to target under a continuous flow of pellets) is not allowed except when specified in the course of fire.  Failure to follow the specified course of fire can result in a FTDR penalty
  3. Competitors will refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct or unfair actions.
  4. Competitors will use all available cover.
  5. Repeated offenses reported to the AC or HQ can result in having membership revoked.
  6. Affiliated clubs must use official LSSA cardboard targets for all LSSA matches.

Equipment

The MD shall approve all equipment used in the match.  The Range Master is responsible for range equipment used in a match.

CoF Rules

  1. All CoF should simulate a possible real life scenario or be a skills test.
  2. Avoid designing courses of fire that will substantially disadvantage senior and mobility-challenged shooters.
  3. When cover is available, it must be used when shooting or reloading
  4. Targets must be engaged in tactical priority unless tactical sequence is specified.
  5. After the match has started, all course design changes are final.

PENALTIES

Conduct Penalties

Failure To Do Right (FTDR):

  1. Adds twenty (20) seconds to total score.
  2. Is assessed for any attempt to circumvent or compromise the spirit or rationale of any stage by the use of inappropriate devices, equipment or techniques.
  3. Is assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct, unfair actions, or the use of illegal equipment, which, in the opinion of the MD, tends to make a travesty of the defensive shooting sport. This will result in an FTDR or DQ from the entire match at the discretion of the MD.
  4. Repeated offenses reported to HQ can result in having membership revoked.

Disqualification (DQ)

  1. Shooters can receive a DQ for unsportsmanlike conduct, unfair actions, or the use of illegal equipment. 
  2. The SO can award a DQ but must refer the matter to the MD who is the final authority.  
  3. The shooter may not continue in any part of that day(s) match, and may not shoot any side matches.
  4. Repeated offenses reported to HQ can result in having membership revoked.

Performance Penalties

Procedural Error (PE)

  1. Adds five (5) seconds to raw time
  2. Is assessed when the competitor does not follow the procedures set forth in the Course of Fire (CoF) description or when a competitor breaks a competition rule.
  3. Only one (1) PE is assessed for each type of infraction in a string of fire.

Examples:

  • Not moving when shooting if specified in CoF
  • Shooting with both hands when single hand specified in CoF
  • Improper use of cover
  • Not engaging targets in specified order (priority or tactical sequence)
  • The competitor does not respond to “muzzle” or “finger” commands
  • The competitor does not follow CoF rules as required.

Competition Penaties

  1. Failure to Neutralize (FTN) is a five (5) second penalty
  2. Failure to Engage (FTE) is a fifteen (15) second penalty
  3. Hit on Non-Threat (HNT) is a ten (10) second penalty

SCORING

Modified Paladin Scoring

  1. Utilize modified Paladin scoring, Failure to neutralize (FTN) method
  2. A shot in the 5 on the target or two shots anywhere on the target is required to neutralize.
  3. Poppers must be fall to neutralize
  4. Official LSSA targets should be used.  However, other target systems are acceptable and scored as directed by the MD.

RANGE COMMANDS

Prepare the Shooter

  • Load and Make Ready.
  • Shooter Ready.
  • Standby.
  • Electronic Start Signal

During CoF

  • Finger.
  • Muzzle.
  • Stop.

CoF Complete

  • Unload and Show Clear.
  • Holster
  • Range Is Safe.

MATCH DIRECTOR (MD)

Duties & Responsibilities

  1. The MD shall accommodate shooters who have physical disabilities, are senior shooters or are youth shooters by modification of rules or changes to the CoF for these individuals.
  2. The MD is an LSSA certified SO who is in charge of every aspect of a match.
  3. The MD has the final say on ALL match issues and his decision is final. There is no arbitration.
  4. Insure that all participants have a safe and enjoyable match
  5. Responsible for approval and confirming a DQ issued by Safety Officers

SAFETY OFFICER (SO)

Duties & Responsibilities

  1. The SO is an ambassador for LSSA
  2. Run contestants through a course of fire safely and smoothly
  3. Remember that the shooter is always given the benefit of any doubt.
  4. Insure that the shooter has an enjoyable shooting experience.
  5. Treat the shooter with courtesy and respect.
  6. Responsible for safety on his stage and/or bay
  7. Refer contested penalties to MD
  8. Refer DQ to MD

SAFETY OFFICER INSTRUCTOR (SOI)

Duties & Responsibilities

  1. The SOI is appointed by the LSSA BoD
  2. Trains shooters how to conduct a safe shooting match
  3. Serves a Chief Safety Officer for sanctioned matches

RANGE MASTER (RM)

Duties & Responsibilities

  1. Responsible for all range equipment.
  2. Supervise crew of volunteers to set up and tear down equipment for match.
  3. Keep shooting bays supplied with targets, tape, etc. during match.
  4. Do any repairs to range equipment if necessary.

APPENDIX – I – TARGETS

Official LSSA targets are available from authorized suppliers.  Contact HQ for information.  Official LSSA targets shall be used in all LSSA sanctioned matches and is strongly suggested for club matches.  Targets used in airsoft matches are about 50% size of normal LSSA targets.

APPENDIX – II – LSSA LOGO

The Lone Star Shooting Association logo is private property of the Lone Star Shooting Association. It is not available for individual commercial use. However, currently affiliated clubs may use the logo on match announcements, correspondence or on event commemorative clothing such as hats and tee shirts. Electronic copies are available from LSSA HQ.

APPENDIX – III – GLOSSARY of TERMS

  1. BoD – LSSA Board of Directors
  2. CoF – Course of Fire
  3. DQ – Disqualification
  4. FTDR – Failure To Do Right
  5. FTN – Failure To Neutralize
  6. HQ – LSSA Headquarters US or Italy
  7. LSSA – Lone Star Shooting Association
  8. MD – Match Director
  9. PE – Procedural Error
  10. RM – Range Master
  11. SO – Safety Officer
  12. SOI – Safety Officer Instructor

Rules