Time Plus-Points scoring is a popular method used in many action shooting sports, including 3-gun competitions. This scoring system combines a shooter’s raw time with penalty points to determine their final score. Here’s a detailed look at how it works:

Basic Concept

The fundamental idea behind Time Plus-Points scoring is simple:

Final Score = Raw Time + Penalty Points

• Raw Time: The actual time it takes a shooter to complete the course of fire, measured in seconds.
• Penalty Points: Additional seconds added for missed targets, procedural errors, or other infractions.

Scoring Process

1. Raw Time Measurement
   • A timer records the time from the start signal to the last shot fired.
   • This becomes the shooter’s base score.
2. Target Scoring
   • After the shooter completes the stage, targets are typically scored for neutralization or misses.
   • Each miss typically adds a time penalty (e.g., 10 seconds per miss).
3. Procedural Penalties
   • Violations of course procedures also add time penalties.
   • Examples include failing to engage targets in the specified order or taking shots from over a fault line.
4. Calculating Final Score
   • All penalty points are added to the raw time.
   • The result is the shooter’s final score for that stage.

Stage Points and Relative Scoring

An important aspect of Time Plus-Points scoring is how individual stage performance translates into match points:

1. 100 Points Per Stage
   • Each stage in a match is worth a maximum of 100 points.
   • This standardizes the weight of each stage in the overall match results.
   • Note that some matches may assign less points to a stage depending on their structure (ie, two fast stages worth 50 points each)
2. Relative Scoring
   • The shooter with the lowest final score (time + penalties) on a stage receives the full 100 point value of that stage.
   • All other shooters receive a proportion of the 100 points based on their performance relative to the top shooter.
3. Point Calculation
   • Points for each shooter are calculated using this formula:
     Shooter's Points = (Top Shooter's Score / Shooter's Score) * 100
   • This results in a percentage of the 100 points available.
4. Example:
   • Top shooter’s score: 55.67 seconds
   • Your score: 62.30 seconds
   • Your points: (55.67 / 62.30) * 100 = 89.36 points

This system ensures that exceptional performances are rewarded appropriately, while also maintaining competitiveness throughout the field.

Example Calculation

Let’s say a shooter completes a stage with the following performance:

• Raw Time: 35.67 seconds
• 2 missed targets (5 seconds each)
• 1 procedural error (10 seconds)

Final Score = 35.67 + (2 * 5) + 10 = 55.67 seconds

If this is the best score on the stage, this shooter would receive 100 points. All other shooters’ points would be calculated relative to this performance.

Advantages of Time Plus-Points Scoring

1. Simplicity: Easy to understand and calculate.
2. Fairness: Balances speed with accuracy.
3. Comparability: Allows direct comparison between shooters’ performances.
4. Relative Performance: Rewards exceptional performances while keeping the competition close.

Variations

Some matches may use slight variations of this system:

• Different penalty values for different types of targets or infractions.
• Bonuses for exceptional accuracy (e.g., time deductions for bullseye hits).
• Specialized scoring for certain divisions or equipment types.

For more information on other scoring systems in action shooting sports, you can visit the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) website, which provides detailed rules and regulations for various shooting disciplines.

Conclusion

Time Plus-Points scoring provides a straightforward yet effective way to evaluate performance in action shooting sports. It encourages shooters to balance speed and accuracy, rewarding those who can complete stages quickly while maintaining precision. The relative scoring system ensures that each stage contributes equally to the overall match results, regardless of its complexity or duration. As with any scoring system, competitors should familiarize themselves with the specific rules and penalty structures of each match they enter.