CMA has two types of competitions: 1) Handgun matches The handguns used have to fit into one of these divisions: Duty, Duty Optic, Sport or Sport Optic. 2) Two-Gun matches The rifles used have to fit into one of these divisions: Large Rifle, PCC or Small Rifle. In addition, the shooter will use a handgun that fits into any of the handgun divisions. In order to really exploit the different potentials of handguns and rifles, the stages designed for the two types of matches need to be different. For example, while it's some challenge to hit fast and confidently from 10m using the weak hand with a handgun, doing so with a rifle from the weak shoulder is comparably easy, even for a beginner. Or, while hitting from 100m with a rifle is a common skill, doing so with a handgun is not easy at all. Consequently, handgun and two-gun matches have to be distinct to make them really interesting. It will not be possible - and it would not make much sense either - to participate in a handgun match using a PCC or to participate in a two-gun match using just a handgun. A match consists of several stages. A typical one-day match will have about 8-12 stages, depending on the squad size (number of shooters in a group) and the complexity of the stages. Matches will be categorized into tiers from 1-5. Tier 1 being a club match with local importance up to tier 5 being a global competition. The exact definition of the tiers will follow in the mid-term future. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ef6673_0a23c18587a0476982ead43e64499897~mv2.jpg

CMA affiliated clubs and institutions can organize CMA matches. The have to be lead by a certified Match Director and certified Safety Officers.

CMA has three types of stages: 1) Open: The shooter engages targets from wherever they are visible and it is safe to do so. The shooters movement may only be limited for safety reasons. https://youtu.be/_oA32epX3LY?si=KP5xmW1FjQg9h9JY 2) Single Zone: The shooter may not leave the clearly marked shooting zone from the start signal to the last shot. https://youtu.be/posxSbJAq1s?si=8n_hbHKRmzi1B-kh 3) Multi Zone: The shooter must engage all targets from several defined shooting zones. The shooter may leave a zone to get to another one. The shooter cannot engage targets when outside of the zones. https://youtu.be/Y69L3aY1Lf0?si=1QebjYag90YUAtqM With all stage types, the stage procedure may require certain actions to be done in a certain way, or it may leave it to the shooters to decide how to complete the stage. Often, a given stage can be done in a multitude of different ways. A shooter will have to discover and choose options and make an optimal stage plan depending on his or her experience, preferences, confidence and skills. Handgun stages have a maximal shooting distance of 50m and 2-Gun stages of 100m. There is no limitation to shooters movement. If the range characteristics and the overall match organization allow for it, large and challenging stages can be realized. The stage designers and the match directors are free to combine stage types in a match depending on the range characteristics, the available material and other factors in order to provide an attractive overall match to all shooters.

There are 2 types of targets: 1) Paper targets: - full size - 50% size to simulate larger distances - non-shoots: each hit will result in a penalty - partially cut or covered https://youtu.be/IpVRYunl-Mw?si=H_Hn1MoaFTlSkaoz 2) Steel targets: - poppers - plates Steel targets must have a minimal distance of 10m for pistols and 50m for rifles. Targets can be static or moving. Moving targets include for example swingers, up-downs, runners and turners and they are usually activated by hitting a steel activator, pulling a rope, opening a door, stepping on an activator and so on. Stage designers and match directors can combine types of targets, distances, shooting positions. shooting styles. shooting techniques and so on in order to create interesting, challenging and fun stages.

The maximum number for required rounds in a stage is 30. Unless otherwise defined in the procedure, paper targets have to be engaged with 2 and steel targets with 1 round each. Most stages have unlimited scoring, which means that the shooter is allowed to shoot as many rounds as he or she likes per target. Only the best required hits (for example the best 2 hits) are scored. Steel targets must fall to be counted as hits. In special cases, the scoring is limited. This means that the shooter has to fire exactly the required number of rounds at a given target. For example, both skills tests have limited scoring.

You need to be a certified CMA competitor. This means you need to be a CMA member and having passed the CMA Intro course including a successful skills test. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ef6673_7782fee61f7f4be0af4ccdc71a270a03~mv2.jpg The skills test needs to be repeated at least once every 12 months for the shooter to remain certified. Handgun matches require a handgun certification and 2-gun matches require both a rifle and a handgun certification. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ef6673_47f834efdc3e471397789ea1f698c70a~mv2.jpg Match Directors can check the registered participants of a given match on the CMA website and by having the shooters present their digital CMA ID card at the event. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ef6673_ef1d8cb9ee174767b5480923dcedd77f~mv2.jpg

Once you have the necessary license, don't hesitate too long before actually joining a match. The earlier you start the longer you will enjoy shooting CMA! When a shooter participates for the first time in a match, he or she will usually be assigned a godfather giving valuable tips and answering questions. Don't be intimidated by the top shooters. Every one of them has been a beginner at some point. Remember, the top priority is to be safe. Just modulate your speed and make sure your are adhering to the safety rules. Keep your finger off the trigger and your muzzle in a safe direction. Make sure your front sight or your dot is on target before pulling the trigger. Nobody expects you to be lightning fast or to hit all zeros in your first match. Just be safe and everybody will be very welcoming and feel happy to have you on board!

Macthes and other events, such as for example shooting classes, can be published on the CMA website. They can be viewed here: https://www.cma-sport.com/events-matches (https://www.cma-sport.com/events-matches) Additionally, many events are published on practiscore (just search for CMA) and on social media. Make sure to join the CMA facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cmaction(https://www.facebook.com/groups/cmaction/)