What happens when two athletes have the same score?
I · Intermediate · Finals and ties · 7 of 7In qualification a tie is broken on paper with no extra shooting: first by the number of inner tens, then by the last ten-shot series and the ones before it, then shot by shot from the last. In a final, athletes tied for the place to be eliminated fire extra shots until one is ahead.
How it works
In a qualification scored in full rings, ties are broken in this order:
- The highest number of inner tens.
- The highest score in the last series of ten shots, then the series before it, working backwards in full rings.
- Shot by shot from the last shot backwards, where an inner ten beats a ten that is not an inner ten.
- Shot by shot from the last shot backwards on decimal values, where electronic targets are used.
- If the athletes are still level they share the ranking and are listed in alphabetical order of family name.
Other points:
- Getting into a final: a tie for a place in the final is broken by the same countback. There is no extra shooting for eighth place.
- In a final: in the air pistol final, tie-breaking single shots. In the 25 m pistol final, extra five-shot series. In the rapid fire pistol final, start number for 8th to 5th place and a shoot-off series for 4th place and the medals.
- Teams: the scores of all team members are added and the individual steps are applied to the totals.
Tricky cases
Two athletes tie for eighth place in qualification. Do they shoot off for the last place in the final?
No. The tie is broken by the countback rule.
Can two athletes end up with the same ranking?
Yes. If every step leaves them level they share the ranking.
In a final, is a tie settled by who did better in qualification?
It depends on the event. In the rapid fire pistol final, ties for 8th to 5th place go by start number, which comes from the qualification ranking. In the other pistol finals ties are settled by more shooting.
Does a higher decimal value break a tie in a full-ring event?
Yes, as the fourth step, after inner tens, the ten-shot series and the shot-by-shot comparison of inner tens have all failed.
Why the rule exists
A countback from the last shots rewards the athlete who finished stronger and needs no extra range time when dozens of athletes are tied through a results list. In a final only one place is being decided at a time and everyone is already on the line, so shooting again is quick and is fairer than any calculation.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISSF rules | As above | ISSF 6.15.1; ISSF 6.15.4; ISSF 6.15.5 |
| Air pistol final | Extra single shots | ISSF 6.17.2 (h) |
| 25 m pistol final | Extra five-shot series | ISSF 6.17.5 (h) |
| Rapid fire pistol final | Start number, or a shoot-off for 4th place and the medals | ISSF 6.17.4 (k) |
| Mixed team final | Each member of the tied teams fires extra shots on command | ISSF 6.18.3.6 |
From the rule book
ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), General Technical Rules 6.15.1, 6.15.4 and 6.15.5 and the tie-breaking parts of 6.17 and 6.18. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).