How does the three positions event work?
I · Intermediate · Events and scoring · 1 of 5Athletes fire 60 shots with a .22 rifle at a target 50 metres away: 20 kneeling, then 20 prone, then 20 standing, all inside one time limit of 1 hour 45 minutes outdoors. Scores are in full rings, so 600 is perfect. The best eight go to a final of up to 35 shots.
How it works
- The order: the event "must be fired in order: Kneeling - Prone - Standing".
- The time: 1 hour 45 minutes on an outdoor range and 1 hour 30 minutes indoors, for all three positions together.
- Before the start: one preparation and sighting time of 15 minutes, with unlimited sighting shots.
- Between positions: after kneeling and after prone the athlete switches their own target from match to sighting and may fire unlimited sighting shots before the next position. "No additional time is allowed for these Sighting shots."
- Scoring: full rings.
- The target: the ten ring is 10.4 mm across with an inner ten of 5 mm. The whole scoring area is 154.4 mm and the black aiming mark 112.4 mm.
- The rifle: chambered for 5.6 mm (.22) rimfire long rifle cartridges and weighing no more than 8.0 kg with everything fitted.
- One rifle: the same rifle is used for the whole event. The butt-stock and accessories may be changed between positions. The action, barrel and stock may not.
- Too many athletes: if the range cannot hold everyone, elimination relays are shot first, usually the day before.
- To the final: the top eight.
The glossary calls this event three-position rifle. The rule book lists it for men and for women with the status "Olympic".
Tricky cases
Is there a separate time limit for each position?
No. There is one time limit for all 60 shots, sighting shots and position changes included.
The athlete forgets to switch the target to sighting after kneeling and fires prone sighting shots as match shots. Are they penalised?
No, if it was a slip. The shots recorded as extra shots in the previous position are nullified and the target is reset to sighting. The rule names no deduction for this case.
Can the athlete use a different rifle for standing?
No. Only one rifle may be used in the elimination, qualification and final of one event. A rifle that becomes disabled may be replaced if the jury approves.
Can the athlete shoot prone first?
No. The order is fixed.
Why the rule exists
Each position is less steady than the one before in the order they are shot, so the event tests three different skills with one rifle. One clock for all three leaves the athlete to decide how long to spend settling into each position, and makes the change of kit between positions part of the event.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISSF rules | As above | ISSF 6.11.9.2; ISSF 7.7.1; ISSF 7.7.3 |
| Indoor range | 1 hour 30 minutes | ISSF 6.11.9.2 |
| The final | 35 shots at most, in decimals | ISSF 6.17.3 |
| 300 m three positions | The same programme on a 300 m range | ISSF 6.11.9.5; ISSF 7.7.4 |
From the rule book
ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), General Technical Rules 6.3.4.2 and 6.11.9.2, Rifle Rules 7.4.1.2, 7.4.5, 7.7.1 to 7.7.5 and the table of recognised events. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).