TargetTalk

Can someone give me the scoop on the class ratings and what they mean? Are these USAS defined and managed? What causes/triggers a class to change? I've seen some pretty solid AP scores and yet class E ratings.

While we're at it, what is the Cat? U, VIS, S1, S2, J1... some seem basic... Senior 1,2,3? Junior 1,2,3?

Oz

Classifications are a method of grouping shooters by average score, AA being the best. It is a way to allow shooters of similar ability to compete with each other. Bowling is well known for its handicap system for league bowling events.

As with any system, there are some difficulties. First, you have to shoot some number of matches to establish your classification. All is in the USAS rule book, someplace. One or two very poor performances might be included in a classification average and hence a shooter might have a lower than one would expect classification. This is especially true for a newer, improving shooter.

The categories are another way to group shooters, let the old farts compete against the other old farts; the juniors with less mature bodies compete with the other less mature bodies.

If there are enough competitors to make it worth while (typically a minimum of 5), awards are given for each classification or category. The overall match winner will get an award. The top junior will get an award if there are five juniors. Ole Farts get an award if there are five.

It is kind of cool to come home from the nationals with a gold medal for say free pistol, “B” class, which means you are the best of the riffraff. It would certainly be much better to have won the overall championship, or at least a little better to win a category like “Senior” which has nothing to do with the classification but is an overall event category.

Good information, Pete. The USAS rule book can be found here. The shooter classification rules for different disciplines are in the General Regulations Rules.

Excellent. Thanks for the info. I did the research and just as an FYI and for achival purposes; The last 3 matches are averaged. And as of 10/1/2008 USAS classifications are determined from those last 3 averaged matches:

5.3.1 Rifle Three Position Classification
For competition in 300m, 50m, 50 yard and 50 foot, outdoor and indoor three position events.
AA 95 and above
A 93 to 94.99
B 91 to 92.99
C 87 to 90.99
D 82 to 86.99
E 81.99 and below

5.3.2 Rifle Prone Classification
For competition in 300m, 50m, 50 yard, 50 foot outdoor and indoor prone events.
AA 98 and above
A 97 to 97.99
B 95 to 96.99
C 92 to 94.99
D 87 to 91.99
E 86.99 and below

5.3.3 Rifle Air Classification
For competition in 10m standing events (to be used when standing is the only position in the match).
AA 95 and above
A 90 to 94.99
B 85 to 89.99
C 80 to 84.99
D 75 to 79.99
E 74.99 and below

5.3.5 Free Pistol Classification
For competition in 50m, 50 yard and 50 foot, free pistol events.
AA 90 and above
A 86 to 89.99
B 80 to 85.99
C 74 to 79.99
D 68 to 73.99
E 67.99 and below

5.3.7 Air Pistol Classification
For competition in 10m air pistol events.
AA 92 and above
A 88 to 91.99
B 84 to 87.99
C 78 to 83.99
D 65 to 77.99
E 64.99 and below

5.3.8 Rapid Fire, Standard, Sport and Center Fire Pistol Classification
For competition in 25m, 25 yard and 50 foot rapid fire, standard, sport and center fire pistol events.
AA 93 and above
A 90 to 92.99
B 87 to 89.99
C 83 to 86.99
D 78 to 82.99
E 77.99 and below