Welcome to the FREEDOM WEEKEND Skirmish
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A Tactical Games "Skirmish" event is a one-day competition combining functional fitness
movements with two-gun shooting. Athletes should arrive prepared to simultaneously address
the physical challenges of functional movement under weight AND the demands of accurate
combat shooting. A Skirmish competition will assess each athlete’s level of combat fitness and
marksmanship capability to produce a comprehensive preparedness metric for the tactical
athlete.
The Firing Pin strives to provide Skirmish athletes with a safe, exciting and challenging
competition while ensuring the highest possible standard of safety for everyone involved. To
accomplish this, event managers must adhere to a strict set of equipment guidelines and
safety rules. The guidance provided below will provide answers to common questions
regarding our Skirmish events. If an answer to your question is not provided below, please
email sfelano@2awny.com. A response will be provided as soon as possible.
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EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
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The following requirements are in place to ensure safety and to level the “Battlefield” for
athletes. We understand that gear makes a difference. We also understand that you can use
certain types of gear to hide poor technique or lack of skill. At Skirmish events we wish to test
skills, not one’s ability to buy expensive gear. Therefore, we restrict particular aspects of gear
and weapons systems. The information below outlines what is and is not permitted at Skirmish
events.
Clothing/Footwear:
We impose no requirements on an athlete’s clothing and/or footwear. However, we highly
encourage rugged footwear and clothing to protect the athlete while transitioning through the
prescribed Skirmish evolutions, referred to as “Battles”. During most Battles, each athlete will be required to wear a plate carrier, pistol belt, and rifle (with sling). This varies slightly based on the requirements of each battle. Specific instructions will be given prior to each Battle.
Plate Carriers:
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**LIGHT DIVISION COMPETITORS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO WEAR PLATE CARRIERS OR WEIGHT VESTS. LIGHT DIVISION AHTLETES WILL HOWEVER BE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR BATTLE BELTS OR CHEST RIGS TO CARRY THEIR MAGAZINES AND GEAR**
All plate carriers must meet a minimum weight requirement. An athlete is not required to
run plates in his/her plate carrier so long as the applicable weight requirement is met as
outlined below. However, we encourage athletes to understand that they will be competing in a
dynamic environment with loaded weapons and fatigued fellow competitors. As such, we
strongly encourage all athletes to run ballistic plates in their carriers. An athlete’s plate
carrier must meet minimum weight requirements before adding magazines and ammunition.
- Men’s plate carriers must be 15 lbs. or heavier.
- Women’s plate carriers must be 12 lbs. or heavier.
At The Tactical Games Skirmish, we will check the weight of athlete’s plate carriers/body
armor. We reserve the right to make spot checks at any time throughout the event. Any athlete
found to be running a plate carrier failing to meet the applicable weight requirement will be
disqualified. If you do not currently own a plate carrier and/or ballistic plates, please advise us so
we may direct you to quality options.
Rifle:
- 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem rifles are the solely permitted platforms at The Tactical Games Skirmish.
Any quality, safe rifle chambered in the aforementioned calibers is permitted for use.
- Any primary rifle optic is permitted and must be the sole primary rifle optic utilized for
the duration of The Tactical Games Skirmish event (no switching optics during battles).
- Offset irons are mandatory when utilizing a Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO).
- An athlete can run whatever rifle “furniture” he/she wishes (handguards, foregrips, etc.).
Compliance of said furniture with federal/state mandates is completely the responsibility
of the athlete.
- Back-up iron sights are required on all rifles.
- Rifle slings are required. A two-point sling is recommended.
- NO special rifle loads are permitted. Standard factory ammunition is required. Whatever the
athlete zeroes their gun with (55gr-72gr) is acceptable. Match grade ammunition is
acceptable. No light loads are permitted. No specialized rounds made to reduce recoil
or that would give an unfair advantage are permitted.
- NO penetrator/armor-piercing/green-tip, tracers, explosive, incendiary, or frangible
rounds of any kind are permitted.
- Suppressors/silencers/cans are allowed. Compliance with federal/state mandates for suppressor possession is completely the responsibility of the athlete.
- Overall compliance of an athlete’s rifle with federal/state mandates is completely the
responsibility of the athlete. By registering for the event you acknowledge that The Tactical Games, The Firing Pin, LLC, and 2ANYS are not responsible for making sure you're in compliance.
- AR Pistols and SBRs are acceptable. Compliance of an athlete’s firearm with
federal/state mandates is completely the responsibility of the athlete.
- Firearm safeties cannot be disabled and must be functional.
- Lasers are not permitted.
- Adjustable gas blocks are acceptable. Understanding the functionality of the weapon is
the responsibility of the athlete. If an athlete’s rifle goes down because it is under
gassed, no reshoot will be issued.
Rifle Muzzle Device:
NO muzzle brakes or compensators are permitted. Muzzle devices permitted for
Skirmish competition are limited to one of five (5) types, with no exceptions:
1. A2
2. Three-pronged without ports
3. Four-pronged without ports
4. BCM Stretched A2
5. Suppressor
Pistol:
- Generally, a stock pistol is required.
- 9mm, .40, or .45 calibers are permitted. No .22, .380, FN 5.7, etc.
- No red dot, electronic, and/or holographic sights are permitted on pistols.
- Fiber Optic sights are permitted.
- A lighter trigger is permitted.
- A mounted flashlight is permitted.
- Extended magazines are permitted. Compliance of an athlete’s magazines with
federal/state mandates is completely the responsibility of the athlete.
- Replacement guide rods are acceptable.
- Flared magazine wells are acceptable.
- Firearm safeties cannot be disabled and must be functional.
- Lasers are not permitted.
NO "light" loads are permitted. Standard or match grade ammunition available
commercially on a mass scale is permitted. We understand that in IPSC and IDPA,
shooters use light loads to reduce recoil – that practice is not permitted at Skirmish
events. Standard protection loads, FMJ, or match grade loads are permitted.
Ammunition:
We recommend bringing 100 rounds of pistol and 100 rounds of rifle ammunition. Prior to the
event, specific ammo counts will be emailed in the athlete packet.
Magazines:
Bring five (5) rifle magazines and five (5) pistol magazines. Again, compliance of an athlete’s magazines with federal/state mandates is completely the responsibility of the athlete.
DIVISIONS:
The following paragraphs outline the differences between the divisions. First, there are no
metrics with which to determine what category an athlete should compete. The decision solely
lies in the judgment of the athlete. Although this is a little ambiguous, we have found the
athlete’s instincts to be pretty accurate. We provide perspective below assisting an athlete in
making an accurate judgment regarding competition category, not a bright-line method for
determining individual skill level. We attempt to answer plainly and simply below. We make no
attempt to sound sarcastic, we are working to simplify this subjective process as much as
possible.
Elite Division:
Athletes participating in the Elite Division should be…elite! They should be both physically fit and highly skilled as a shooter. Both competencies are required in this division. We add nuances to the shooting that raise the level of difficulty, and we add weight and distance to the Battles to make them more challenging. You may be an elite shooter, but NOT an elite athlete. If that is
the case, enter the Intermediate Division. Conversely, if you are an elite athlete, but NOT an
elite shooter, enter the Intermediate Division. We expect athletes to be completely competent
and understand ballistics, hold-offs, weapons handling, and above all, safety! We also expect
an athlete to be honest, and not sandbag by entering the Intermediate Division when they are
clearly elite in both disciplines.
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Intermediate Division:
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The easiest way to determine if you are at the Intermediate level is to answer the question: “Am I an Elite Athlete?” If the answer is “NO”, then register for the Intermediate Division. In the Intermediate Division, athletes are expected to be safe above all else. There should be a competency in weapons handling skills and an ability to ensure an athlete is not pointing their weapon(s) at other athletes, the judges, and/or the spectators. Even experienced shooters and experienced athletes are learning at The Tactical Games Skirmish events. We consistently try to provide unorthodox shooting positions and have athletes do things they wouldn’t normally do…just like combat. So, if you are not an elite shooter, but a pretty good shooter, and you are not an elite athlete, but you run, do CrossFit, or lift regularly and are in relatively good health, sign up for the Intermediate Division.
Master's Division:
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This division is pretty easy to explain; If you are 45 years old or older, sign up for the Master's Division. Both elite and intermediate athletes over 45 years old can compete in this division. If you are over 45 years old but wish to compete in the Elite or Intermediate Divisions to get a baseline against younger men, that is fine. However, you will be compared to those men, and you will not be eligible for a trophy in the Master's Division.
Women's Division:
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The Women’s Division is easiest of all to explain. However, in our current generation where fact and discernment are not the norms, we will be specific. In order to enter the Women’s Division, you must have been born with ovaries. Your DNA must be that of a female human. This is science, not politics. Women may sign up for the Women’s Division. No exceptions.
Light Division:
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Choose your own adventure. This is not a competitive division, scores will be kept but no prizes are awarded. You may opt out of any part of the battle you cant complete. No plate carriers or weight vests required.
General Safety Rules:
1. Consider all weapons to be loaded at all times.
2. Keep all muzzles oriented in the SAFEST POSSIBLE direction at all times. Never point your weapon at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you have identified your target and you are ready to
shoot.
4. Always know what your target is, what is in front of it, and what is beyond it.
Competition-Specific Safety Rules:
1. Throughout the conduct of a course of fire, a competitor will encounter obstacles and
targets in-between the obstacles. The shooter must ensure their firearm is on safe before and
after every engagement.
2. If a weapon runs “dry”, the competitor will attempt to put the weapon on safe before
transitioning to their secondary firearm.
3. When preparing to compete in a Battle, the competitor will load and make ready in front of a
judge. The competitor must load his weapons in the correct order and following the correct
procedure.
4. Accidental and/or negligent discharges will result in immediate removal and disqualification
from the competition.
5. Aiming/pointing a weapon at another competitor or a spectator will result in immediate
removal and disqualification from the competition.
6. Weapons will be loaded in front of a judge, on the range, at the beginning of an event.
Weapons will be unloaded in front of a judge, before leaving the range, at the completion of a
Battle.
Administrative Safety Rules:
1. No firearms will be loaded or carried “hot” while not involved in a Battle. No live/loaded firearms will be permitted behind the firing line, in the administrative/spectator area (except for non-competing law enforcement or event staff/security).
2. Firearms will be secured by the competitor or a support member at all times to prevent theft,
tampering, and/or loss.
3. Loss of a firearm will result in an immediate shut-down of operations until the firearm is recovered.
Major Safety Violations:
A major safety violation is any violation of the four General Safety Rules listed above. Any action with a firearm that puts another person at risk will be deemed a major safety violation and will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the competition. Any major safety
violation will be investigated by the staff and/or judges.
Minor Safety Violations:
Minor safety violations are violations of tactical protocol, an err in order of engagement, loading out of order, or some action by the competitor that does not put another person in danger. This type of violation can be very subjective, but judges and staff are trained in the identification of all safety violations. An accrual of three minor safety violations will result in the removal of the offending athlete from the competition.
Again, if there are any questions on the above information, please email sfelano@2awny.com. A response will be provided as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you at our next Skirmish!
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- The Firing Pin Skirmish Management Team
