Purpose

The Youth Action Pistol League was created to bring an entirely new approach to teaching young people ages 12 to 18 how to safely use and enjoy handguns.  Our founder, Charles Cotton, describes YAPL as “bringing little league baseball to the shooting sports.”  This is a very good analogy as YAPL operations are far more than competitive shooting matches.  Major components of YAPL activities are the training/practice sessions designed to teach our Kids to shoot safely and efficiently.  YAPL matches provide the opportunity for our Kids to put this training to use in a competitive environment against people with similar skills.  We level the playing field by using a system of handicaps, like golf and bowling.  The league concept adds an element of comradery and responsibility to teammates to the mix.

Unlike little league baseball, everyone makes the team, because YAPL is for shooters of all skill levels and experience.  Whether a seasoned competitor, or someone who has never fired a handgun before, you are welcome in YAPL.  You will make many friends who are just like you in terms of their shooting experience.  All of our coaches are experienced handgun shooters and all of our Trainers are experienced in action pistol matches like PSC’s own Outlaw Match, IDPA and USPSA matches.  Combined they have the experience and knowledge to train kids of all skill levels and help them hone their handgun skills.

Eligibility

YAPL is open to all kids ages 12 through 18 years who do not have a criminal or juvenile history involving a violent crime, a crime that involves dealing in a controlled substances or other illegal drugs, and who is not and has never been a member of a criminal street gang. 

Rule Philosophy

The single biggest complaint that competitive shooters express concerning almost every organized shooting sport is that “there are too many rules!”  Unfortunately, rule books tend to get bigger over time.  As issues arise, it is tempting to add another rule to the book, even when the issue is minor and/or infrequently experienced.  As rule books grow in complexity, it becomes far more difficult to comply with their provisions.  This results in shooters earning more procedural penalties or worse – simply walking away from the sport.

The YAPL Official rules take a unique approach in designing  how YAPL events are to be organized and administered.  We have very specific safety rules as well as other rules dealing with scoring, shooter classification and procedures.  Where possible, guiding principles are preferred over bright line rules.  Undoubtedly, additional rules will become necessary over time and they will be added to the YAPL Official Rule Book, but changes will be kept to an absolute minimum.

YAPL Volunteers

YAPL is far more than just a match, so our volunteers are indispensable.  Just as little league baseball would not exist without coaches, assistant coaches and other volunteers, YAPL would not exist without dedicated people to serve in one or more volunteer capacities.  The volunteer categories and the requirements for each are set out below.

Trainers

A Trainer is a person who not only is an experienced handgun shooter, but who also is experienced in action pistol style of matches.  Such matches include PSC’s Outlaw Match,  IDPA,  and USPSA.  He or she must be competing in one of those disciplines on a regular basis.  Trainers are the primary trainers for all YAPL team members.  Trainers develop and maintain the YAPL Training Syllabus used by all Coaches and Assistant Coaches. 

Coach

A Coach is the primary person responsible for implementing the YAPL Training Syllabus for his/her team.  He/she must have or obtain certification as an Outlaw Match Safety Officer (SO).  Such training will be offered at no cost to all Coaches.

Assistant Coach

An Assistant Coach assists the Coach in all training and practice activities, as well as matches, and they have primary responsibility for communicating with their team members.

Staff

Staff volunteers assist with the logistics of YAPL events, including practice/training sessions and matches.  They help to set up scenarios, make and maintain props and target systems, and deliver targets and related supplies to the teams during matches.  Staff are not assigned to specific teams.

Parent Staff

Parents with kids participating in YAPL events may serve in any capacity, including Staff positions.  If they wish to serve as a Coach or Assistant Coach, they must meet the requirements of those positions.  Unlike non-parent Staff members, Parents serving as Staff can be assigned to their kid’s team where they will provide the support outlined in the Staff description in the preceding paragraph.

Training & Match Principles

YAPL training begins at the most basic level of firearms instruction.  Kids are evaluated in terms of their experience and handgun skills when they join YAPL.  Their Coaches and other Staff will help them develop proficiency in all aspects of safe firearms usage, should they need any additional help and/or training.

Competency using holster is of primary importance, so all kids will initially be classified as Trainees.  Trainees will not use a holster during training or matches, except to carry their UNLOADED handgun.  When each Member demonstrates to their Coaching staff, and his/her parents, that they can safely use a holster for training and competition, then they are moved from the Trainee Classification to one commensurate with their shooting ability, as demonstrated on the YAPL Classifier. 

At least two training sessions will be offered monthly during the YAPL Season (September through April) and every Coach is required to attend to at least one with their team.  If more than one session is offered by a Coach, team members can only be required to attend one session per month.  Baseball and football require all team members to be present in order to field a team for a practice.  This is not the situation with YAPL as only one team member is shooting at a time.  This format for training/practice offers greater flexibility to both Coaches and team members.  A Team’s Members can attend additional official training sessions at which their Coach is not present. 

A YAPL match will be held on the first Saturday of each month during the League’s match season which is October through April with an awards banquet in May.  (September is for pre-season activities and is required attendance.) Two Teams are paired and shoot through each pistol bay.  The Team pairing will change for each monthly match.   While each shooter will have his or her individual score, the team’s score will be a composite of its members’ individual scores plus/minus the team’s handicap for that month.

Targets and Scenarios

YAPL matches use RTS Reactive targets that fall when hit.  (YAPL training may use RTS targets periodically.)  They are arranged in the pistol bays with or without props in what is called a “scenario.”  Each scenario is different which makes the training and matches more fun and interesting.  It also helps kids to develop target identification skills so crucial to safe firearms training. 

Due to the age of our Members, YAPL does not stress self-defense as a driving force behind our training and competitions.  We want the kids to have fun and learn firearms safety.  However, the safe and efficient gun-handling skills kids learn will serve them well in all types of shooting whether for hunting, sport shooting, competition, informal “plinking,” or in self-defense situations.

Definitions:

Safety Officer (SO) is a person who holds one of the following:  1)  PSC Outlaw Match SO Certification; 2) NRA Range Safety Officer Certification; 3) Safety Officer Certification by the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA); 4) Range Officer Certification by the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA); or 5) certification as  a range safety officer by an organization recognized by YAPL.

“Hot Range” is a range or shooting bay in which the SO has authorized live fire.

“Cold Range” is a range or shooting bay on which the SO has not authorized live fire.

“180 Degree Rule” requires that no shooter allow the muzzle of their handgun to point behind or up range of an imaginary line that is at the shooter’s position and is parallel to the backstop or impact berm. 

“Muzzle Safe Zone”  is an area approved for live fire that is narrower than the area defined by the “180 Degree Rule.”  Muzzle Safe Zones must be clearly identified by brightly colored side markers that are easily identifiable by a shooter when shooting a scenario.

“Muzzle Sweeping” or simply “sweeping” refers to pointing the muzzle of a handgun at any person, including the shooter.

“Course of Fire (COF)” is both the area in which targets are to be engaged, as well as the written course description explaining how the targets must be engaged.

“Approved Target”  is a reactive target by RTS Systems, or one essentially identical.

“Reactive Target” is a target stand or system that either falls vertically or laterally when the scoring/neutralizing area is struck by a bullet. 

“No-Shoot Target” is a silhouette target that has two normal sized hands either painted or attached to the target.

“Unintentional Discharge” refers to a shooter unintentionally discharging a round and it 1) goes over the backstop or impact berm; or 2) strikes the ground within six feet of the shooter.

“Safe Area or Table” refers to a designated area or table, other than a COF, where firearms, but not ammunition, may be handled for any purpose such as maintenance, cleaning, testing of actions and triggers, etc.

“Current Shooter” is the shooter who is engaging targets under the direction of a Coach or SO.

“Approved Ammunition” is non-expanding ammunition such as full metal jacket (FMJ) or ammunition with  hard-cast bullets (Ex. Lyman #2 alloy)  with the profile of a pointed FMJ.  Absolutely no hollow point, wadcutter, semi-wadcutter or flat-nose ammunition can be used.  The prohibited ammunition rapidly destroys the RTS targets.

Range Commands

Range Is Hot, Eyes and Ears: This command is given when live fire is about to begin for the scenario.  The shooter as well as all persons in the shooting bay or area are required to wear their eye and ear protection at this time.

Load and Make Ready: When, and only when, this command is given, the shooter will draw their unloaded handgun from their holster, load it to Division Capacity and reholster.  If the COF designates a different starting position or location for the handgun, then the COF shall be followed.  All safeties must be engaged and decocking levers must be utilized on double-action/single-action pistols.

Are You Ready?  This command or question is given after the shooter has loaded and rehostered their handgun, or placed it in the location required by the COF.  It is the shooter’s last opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the COF.

Standby: This command is given to notify the shooter that the scenario is about to begin and to expect to hear the start signal within the next 5 seconds.

Unload and Show Clear: This command is given when it appears the shooter is finished shooting the COF.  If the shooter is finished, they must remove the magazine from the pistol and lock the slide open, or open the cylinder of a revolver, and allow the SO to confirm that there is no cartridge in the chamber and no magazine in the pistol.

Slide Down or Close Cylinder: This command is given when the SO has confirmed that handgun is unloaded.  The shooter must close the slide or cylinder of their handgun.

Pull The Trigger: This command requires the shooter to point the muzzle of their handgun toward the impact berm and pull the trigger.  The shooter must NOT simply decock the handgun; the SO must hear an audible click.  This command is not required for revolver shooters.

Holster: The Shooter will safely holster the unloaded firearm.

Range Is Clear: This command is given to notify everyone that the range is safe, eye and ear protection can be removed, and the range or bay can be reset for the next shooter.

These following commands/warnings may be given while a shooter is engaging targets in a scenario.

Finger: This warning is given if the shooter places their finger inside the trigger guard at any time they are not engaging targets in compliance with the COF description.

Muzzle: This warning is given if/when it appears that the shooter is close to violating muzzle safe rules.

Stop: This command is given when a safety issue requires that the shooter immediately stop shooting.  This command can be given by anyone who sees a safety issue.

Cover: This warning is given when a shooter is not properly using cover.

Safety Rules, Policies & Procedures

Specific YAPL Safety Rules are set out below, but guiding principles for firearm safety commonly accepted in the shooting community are as follows:

• All guns are always loaded
• Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy
• Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you are willing to shoot
• Identify your target and what is behind it

Safety Rules:

A.    A shooter must not let the muzzle of their handgun point toward or “sweep” any person including the shooter.

B.    A shooter must not violate the 180 Degree Rule or point the muzzle of their firearm outside of the Muzzle Safe Zone.

C.    A shooter must not remove a handgun from their holster unless they are instructed to do so by the SO or Coaching staff, or when they are in a Safe Area with a Coach, Assistant Coach, or Staff and when no ammunition is present.

D.    A shooter must not drop a handgun at any time during the shooting of a COF.

E.    A shooter must take care not to experience an Accidental Discharge.

F.    A shooter must not bring ammunition into a Safe Area or Table;

G.    A shooter must keep their finger out of the trigger guard of their handgun at any time they are not engaging targets, including during loading, unloading, clearing malfunctions, or moving between firing positions unless the COF requires the shooter to engage targets while moving.

H.    Shooters and spectators on a Hot Range must wear both eye and ear protection. 

I.     All team members and spectators must remain at a safe distance behind or up range from the Current Shooter and must follow all instructions of the coaching staff and/or SO.

Shooter Classifications

Shooters will be classified based upon their skill demonstrated on the official YAPL Classifier. The Classifications are:
            Master
            Expert
            Sharpshooter
            Marksman
            Novice
            Trainee (Cannot use a holster for live fire.  Must start scenarios from the “low ready” position.)

Equipment

All shooters have primary responsibility to determine that their firearms and equipment are safe and in good working order.  However, every Team Member is welcome to ask anyone on the coaching staff to examine their firearm and equipment, if they are uncomfortable doing so themselves. 

The coaching staff will conduct a safety check of all firearms prior to the beginning of all YAPL events.  Shooters must not remove their firearms from their holster or bag until instructed to do so by a member of the coaching staff.

Holsters, Belts and Magazine Carriers

All holsters and magazine carriers must be of a type and design that are suitable for everyday concealed carry.

Inside the waistband (IWB) holsters are not approved for any YAPL events as they may encourage younger shooters to point the muzzle toward their body when reholstering.  Holsters with tension release buttons or levers in line with the trigger guard such as the Black Serpa holster are not approved for any YAPL events.

Other than holsters/ mag carrier requirements listed in the preceding paragraph, YAPL does not list specific holster or magazine carriers that are approved or disapproved for YAPL events.  All holsters and magazine carries approved for IDPA competition will meet YAPL requirements.  Holsters must not collapse when the handgun is drawn, as is the case with holsters made from suede, nylon, etc. 

Only true gun belts will be approved for YAPL events.  Regular belts simply do not provide sufficient support for the handgun and magazine carriers.

Scenarios

Scenarios:   Scenarios must not require any physical action such as climbing ladders or barricades that would pose a danger to any shooter or spectators.

Scenarios should replicate actual self-defense shooting events, or be structured such that they are reasonably possible events.

Accommodations must be made for disabled shooters.

All stages must be designed such that all rounds striking targets will impact the backstop or impact berm in a safe area.

“No Shoot” targets should be used whenever appropriate to encourage target identification.  To force shooters to consider safe fire zones, “No shoot” targets can be placed such that it forces the shooter to engage threat targets only from one or more specific shooting positions, even if such positions are not set out in the COF.  Remember, the goal is to teach Team Members to THINK, not merely color between the lines!

Safe Fire Zones

All YAPL events shall adhere to the “180 Degree Rule.”  If the use of the “180 Degree Rule” could or would result in bullets impacting a side berm in an unsafe manner or location, then a Safe Fire Zone must be established by placing brightly colored “Muzzle Safe Point” markers clearly identifying the shooting area for the scenario.  Markers need not have “Muzzle Safe Point” written on them, but their function must be clearly explained in the match or  scenario briefing.

Match & Event Administration

Trainee Shooters: Trainees do not use a holster for live fire.  They must use a holster, but only for carrying an empty handgun; they must never have a loaded handgun in their holster.  Trainees will always begin scenarios from the low-ready position.

Match Principles and Requirements

Safety is the driving force behind all YAPL events, whether training and practice sessions, or matches.  Safety is followed closely by “fun” as our Kids are not going to participate, much less develop good gun-handling skills, if they are bored or feel like they are being taught by drill instructors.  Trainers, Coaches and Staff must be ambassadors for YAPL. 

All matches must adhere to all YAPL rules.  A match must be designed so that a Marksman Class shooter will perform reasonably well and not be discouraged.  This does not mean every single target or every COF must be easily engaged by a Marksman Class shooter.  Rather, the overall match must leave them feeling good about their ability to participate in YAPL matches. 

Few targets should be placed beyond 15 yards from the shooting position designated in the COF.  Though not absolutely required, such targets should be the last targets to be engaged in a COF so that shooters do not exhaust their ammo trying to neutralize long range targets with other targets left to be engaged.

Since YAPL is based on the principle of engaging a target until it is neutralized rather than placing a predetermined number of rounds on a target, it is important to design matches with a reasonable number of targets.   Kids with greater skill will quickly become bored if a scenario consists of four or five targets and they are able to neutralize each target with only 1 round.  Conversely, if a scenario has 15 targets and all are difficult shots, Novice and Marksman Class shooters could easily be discouraged if they run out of ammo before they have the chance to engage some targets. 

Scenario and match design is not a cookie cutter operation and it requires talent to balance the challenges the Kids will face so that they will have fun and continue to participate.  Use of “no-shoot” targets, hard cover and props can make a scenario more challenging and fun without the necessity of a large number of targets.  The generous use of props such as cars, ATMS, barricades is strongly encouraged as they lend an air of reality and they simply make the match more fun.

Shooting Rules:

1. Target engagement: All targets must be engaged until they are neutralized. A target is neutralized when it falls. A target is not neutralized until it comes to a stop after falling.  In other words, it must be in the full-down position.  If behind cover, a shooter cannot leave cover until the target is fully neutralized; i.e. it is in the full-down position.  NOTE: The full down position does not have to be parallel with the ground.  A fallen target may be resting on a prop or other item that prevents it from being parallel to the ground.  The “full-down” position must be explained to shooters during the scenario walk-through or briefing.
   
   
2. Target engagement order: Targets must be engaged in either barricade order (cutting the pie) or tactical order (near to far) as required by the COF.  A COF can designate that there is no engagement order required, but those scenarios should be a small percentage of the total.
   
   
3. Use of cover: Cover must be used if it is available. Cover is available if it is within 3 yards of the shooter. If cover is required by the COF, it must be used regardless of the distance from the shooter.
   
   
4. Reloading:
   • Reloading must be performed behind cover, if cover is available or if required by the COF.
     
     
   • Reloading on the move is permitted if the COF requires a shooter to engage one or more targets while moving, or if a target becomes available while the shooter is moving.
     
     
   • Types of reloads
     • Slide lock reload: Empty magazines need not be retained by the shooter;
       
       
     • Tactical reload: Tactical reloads are encouraged and can be required by the COF. A magazine with live rounds must be retained during a tactical reload. It shooter is not required to place the partially loaded magazine in a mag carrier.  Example:  hey can be placed in a pocket.
       
       
   • Only Approved Ammunition can be used in matches, or in training sessions that use RTS targets.
     
     
5. Scoring
   • A shooter’s score for a scenario is the raw time it takes to shoot it plus any time added for penalties.
     
     
   • A team’s score for a scenario is the sum of the scores of each team member, plus or minus the team’s handicap. Handicaps are calculated individually for each Team Member. To calculate a Team’s handicap, each Member’s handicap is compared to the opposing Teams’ shooters.  For example, if each team has five members, then a handicap will be calculated by comparing the handicap of Member 1 on Team A and Team B.  Then repeat the process for Members 2 – 5.  The net result of the sum of each individual handicap will be the overall Team handicap for that match.
     
     
   • If a team member is absent from the match, a duplicate of the highest score for any team member is used in place of the missing Team Member when calculating the team’s score. The handicap will be calculated without any allocation related to the missing Team Member. If a Classified substitute is available in the Substitute Pool, he or she can participate in place of the missing Team Member.  For each individual Team Member, a substitute shooter can only be used twice during a shooting year.
     
     
   • Individual Team Member will have a handicap that will collectively become the Team's handicap for each monthly Match.  Team Members' handicaps are calculated after each monthly match and will be used for the next monthly match.

Penalties:

1. Hitting a Non-Threat Target: 5 seconds each round
2. Failing to fully Neutralize Threat Target: 5 seconds per target
3. Failing to Engage a Target: 3 seconds per target
4. Failing to Use Available Cover: 3 seconds; one per target engaged
5. Failing to Perform a Required Tactical Reload: 3 seconds
6. Failing to Retain a Loaded Magazine: 3 seconds
7. Failing to Engage in Proper Order: 3 seconds