Can a coach help an athlete during a match?
A · Advanced · Penalties, safety and equipment · 6 of 6Silent coaching is allowed in every event: signs and written notes, with no sound. An athlete on the firing line may speak only to jury members and range officials. To talk to a coach during qualification the athlete must unload, put in the safety flag, tell a range officer and leave the line.
How it works
- Silent coaching: "non-verbal coaching is allowed, the written word is non-verbal, as is sign language but with no audible sound".
- On the line: the athlete "may speak only with Jury Members or range officials".
- The athlete wants to talk: they unload, leave the gun safe with the action open and a flag in, notify a range officer and step away without disturbing others.
- The coach wants to talk: the coach asks a range officer or jury member, who calls the athlete off the line. The coach may not approach or speak to the athlete directly.
- Breaking the rule: a warning the first time. After that the athlete loses two points and the team official must leave the area of the firing line.
- Licences: from the 2026 World Championship only coaches holding an ISSF A or B coach licence, registered as team officials, may be on the field of play.
- Training: coaching is permitted in training if it does not disturb other athletes.
- Finals: silent coaching is permitted. In the three positions final the coach may help with the sling and jacket in the coach's area and speak to the athlete while doing so.
- Mixed team final: each team has one time out of 30 seconds in which the coach may speak to the athletes on the line.
- Devices: radios, mobile phones and similar equipment are not permitted on the field of play.
Tricky cases
Can a coach hold up a written note?
Yes. The written word counts as silent coaching.
Can the coach walk up to the firing line and whisper to the athlete?
No. The coach must ask an official, who calls the athlete away from the line.
Who is punished when the coaching rule is broken a second time?
Both. The athlete loses two points and the team official has to leave.
Can an athlete wear an earpiece to hear the coach?
No. Athletes may not wear hearing protection with receiving devices, and communication equipment is not permitted on the field of play.
Why the rule exists
Shooting depends on concentration, and a coach talking on the line would disturb the athletes on either side as much as help their own. Making the athlete unload and step back keeps a conversation away from a loaded gun.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISSF rules | As above | ISSF 6.12.5 |
| Finals | Silent coaching in all finals | ISSF 6.17.1.14 (o) |
| Three positions final | Help with sling and clothing in the coach's area | ISSF 6.17.3 (k) |
| Mixed team final | One time out for each team | ISSF 6.18.1.7 |
| Shotgun | The rule on leaving the line to talk does not apply | ISSF 6.12.5.3 |
From the rule book
ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), General Technical Rules 6.2.5.1, 6.7.4.3, 6.7.4.4, 6.12.5, 6.17.1.14 (o) and 6.18.1.7. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).