These Commands are to be used during competitions
and shoots.
The purpose of range commands is to provide concise, clear
and standard methods of range operation. This provides the shooters or
participants with easy to understand guidelines and enhances safety.
All sanctioned competition and many organizations have standardized range
commands which may supercede the the commands posted here.
Command: CEASE FIRE! The purpose of this command is to
stop all shooting immediately.
Command: MISFIRE! The purpose is to notify a RSO and other
participants during a competitive shoot that a round did not fire when the
trigger was pulled and to alert other shooters along the line that a hazardous
condition may exist.
Command: LOAD! The purpose is to notify participants that
they can load the prescribed number of round during a shoot.
Command: IS THE LINE READY! The purpose is to determine
if all shooters on the line are ready
Command: READY ON THE RIGHT (Left)! The purpose is to
declare that the shooters along the line are ready.
Command: READY ON THE FIRING LINE! The purpose is to notify
all participants that the range is about to be under live fire and that if
anyone is not at all ready he should call an RSO; otherwise, wait the next
command.
Command: COMMENCE FIRING! The purpose is to declare the
range formally open for live fire.
Command: SHOOTERS YOU HAVE (X) NUMBER OF MINUTES LEFT TO COMPLETE
THE COURSE OF FIRE or SHOOTERS FIRE YOUR REMAINING ROUNDS! The
purpose is to alert all shooters that a general cease-fire is about to
be called and to allow the slower shooters to complete the course of fire.
Command: SNAP CAPS! (Muzzle loading only) The purpose
is assure that the flash hole is open and the barrel is free of any material
capable of causing a hang fire. In some events, this command is also used
to determine if all firearms are unloaded.
Command: THE RANGE IS CLEAR! The purpose is to alert all
shooters along the line that travel beyond the firing line for purposes of
target change or retrieval, and the removal of brass and trash is approved
by the RSO.