Why are 3PAR team rules so restrictive?

February 24, 2026

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸Youth 3 PAR▸Why are 3PAR team rules so restrictive?

National Standard Rules require all teams to represent a local club or school team and require all team members to participate regularly in team or club activities. The National Jury of Appeal must review and approve any team members who live more than 75 miles from the club base. Why such restrictive team rules? This is because the most pernicious threats to keeping local clubs and teams strong and viable are attempts to form win-at-all-costs all-star teams by recruiting the best shooters from surrounding clubs. An all-star team that cherry picks the best shooters from two or three other clubs may have a better chance to win national honors, but taking the best shooter out of another club takes away the best role model younger shooters in that club have and often leaves them without enough shooters to field a team. Protecting the integrity of local clubs and teams helps them remain strong so they can continue to offer shooting sports opportunities for youth in their communities.