Junior Opportunities at the Annual National Matches
March 7, 2024
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
The month-long National Matches, an event fired at Camp Perry since 1907, is an ideal setting for young marksmen and women – a worthy destination for those just beginning to those already skilled in the sport. Most events only require a firearm, scope, shooting mat and safety gear such as ear plugs and protective glasses. Of course, gloves, jackets and other personal equipment is also permitted. Through the many phases of the National Matches, the CMP offers several competitive and educational options from rifle to pistol to air gun, all with special junior awards! And, it’s fun!
OVERVIEW OF PHASES:
Rimfire Sporter Rifle: AGES 10-21
Rimfire Sporter is the perfect entry-level competition. Using .22 caliber rifles, Rimfire Sporter is separated into three classes: O-Class (open-sighted), T-Class (telescopic sights) and TU-Class (A4- or AR15-style). The course of fire is conducted from 25 yards and from 50 yards at various positions, including standing, sitting and prone, within slow-fire and rapid-fire stages.
Smallbore: AGES 12-21
Since 2018, CMP’s Smallbore lineup has evolved to feature both three-position and prone (iron sight/any sight) events. In 2023, the Smallbore series debuted its state-of-the-art electronic scoring, now utilized in every smallbore match at Camp Perry.
Air Gun: AGES 12-21
Outside of the wide variety of air rifle and air pistol events offered within the electronic air range at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center (located on Camp Perry) throughout the duration of the National Matches, the CMP has created the Air Gun National Matches – two days of 60 shot air rifle and air pistol. The special series includes both individual and team matches, along with a few challenging elimination events.
In 2024, the CMP’s Laser Shot simulators within the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center will be showcasing Steel Challenge matches for rifle and pistol. The Steel Challenge is a virtual match where competitors use a modified rifle or pistol (equipped with Co2 gas) to fire upon simulated targets. Individuals entered in either Challenge will be given three attempts to complete their respective course.
Pistol: AGES 12-21 (Min. age of 12 if firing a .22 pistol; Min. age of 14 for service/match pistol)
The National Matches Pistol series allows juniors to compete within some of the most celebrated marksmanship competitions in the country, using .22-caliber rimfire pistols. Along with several individual matches, the Pistol series offers two-person and four-person junior team opportunities.
Rifle: AGES 12-21
Like Pistol, juniors have several options for competing in Rifle competition in traditional events that have spanned decades. Juniors may choose between vintage rifle or service rifle matches, using the same calibers as adult competitors.
Highpower Rifle Championships: AGES 12-21
The Highpower Rifle Championships use highpower service rifles in 4-Man team, Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) and Aggregate matches. The series is fired on CMP’s outdoor electronic target line, powered by Kongsberg Target System technology.
Games Matches: AGES 12-21 (NOTE: Min. age of 14 for Garand Rifle Match only)
The CMP Games Matches are a variety of vintage rifle and pistol competitions like the M1 Carbine, John C. Garand, Modern Military, Springfield, Vintage Sniper Team, Military & Police Pistol and As-Issued 1911 Pistol. These matches offer unique challenges and are a fun way to partake in marksmanship competition while celebrating its history.
Mid and Long Range Matches: AGES 14-21
CMP’s Long Range matches are fired at 1,000 yards. An additional Mid Range match offers the same opportunity to fire long range rifles, but from half the distance. Long range categories include Match (Any and Iron Sights), Service, Palma, AR Tactical, F-Open and F T/R.
NOTE: For those younger than the minimum ages who would like to compete, Age Waivers are available. If approved, those juniors are eligible to take part in the National Matches.
NATIONAL TROPHY INDIVIDUAL MATCHES:
President’s Pistol Match
One of the most revered events of the National Matches, the course of fire includes 40 standing shots from 50 yards, timed fire from 25 yards and 10 rapid-fire shots from 25 yards. This is an EIC match, and winning the event is considered a high honor.
National Trophy Individual (NTI) Pistol Match
Similar to the President’s Match, the course of fire includes 10 shots from 50 yards, then timed fire from 25 yards and 10 rapid-fire shots from 25 yards. Also like the President’s Match, this is an EIC match, and winning is an honorable feat.
President’s Rifle Match (NOTE: Min. age is 13)
The President’s Rifle Match is also one of the most prestigious events of the Matches. Following a National Match course of fire, participants complete 10 shots standing in a time period of 10 minutes from 200 yards, 10 rapid-fire prone shots (70 seconds) from 300 yards and 10 slow-fire prone shots (10 minutes) from 600 yards. Following the qualifying round, the top 20 competitors meet for a final 10-shot slow-fire prone shootoff from 600 yards.
National Trophy Rifle Individual (NTI) Rifle Match
As in Pistol, the NTI for Rifle nearly mirrors the President’s Match. The 50-shot course of fire includes 10 shots slow-fire standing from 200 yards (10 minutes), 10 shots rapid-fire sitting or kneeling from 200 yards (60 seconds), 10 shots rapid-fire prone from 300 yards (70 seconds) and 20 shots slow-fire prone from 600 yards (20 minutes). The top 10 percent of non-distinguished competitors earn 10 EIC points.
TEAM COMPETITIONS:
National Junior Rifle Team Match
The National Junior Team Match is a two-person match reserved for juniors, following the same course of fire as the NTI.
Hearst Doubles Rifle Match
The Hearst Doubles Team Match is a pair-fired event. It’s yet another celebrated competition of the matches, where two-person team members alternate firing shots – a fun event for both families and friends.
National Trophy Team Match
The NTT match is a coached event with six firing members. Each competitor fires the National Match course of fire, with the team score derived from the aggregate of each individual’s scores.
National Trophy Infantry Team Match (NTIT/Rattle Battle)
A loud and exciting addition to the National Matches schedule, the NTIT is a fun event where teams strategically fire 384 rounds in total, all rapid-fire, for points that vary by the yard line. Unlike other events, this unique match utilizes a silhouette target. Firing teams advance yard lines together through four 50-second stages: prone from 600 yards, prone, sitting or kneeling from 500 yards, sitting or kneeling from 300 yards and standing from 200 yards.
Pistol Team Opportunities:
The Pistol series offers two-person and four-person junior team opportunities in the .22 Rimfire, Center Fire and .45 Pistol events. Two-person junior teams are also found within the National Trophy Team Match.
EDUCATIONAL COURSES:
Rimfire Sporter Clinic
The Rimfire Sporter Clinic is an optional precursor to the recreation-oriented Rimfire Sporter Match. The clinic discusses positioning, safety and other techniques to prepare individuals for the match.
As-Issued Military
Rifle Clinics
Like the Rimfire Clinic, this course provides a helpful way of reviewing the rules and courses of fire for the GSMM (Garand, Springfield, Vintage/Modern Military Rifle) Matches, down to scoring techniques, target pulling rules and other match elements.
Small Arms Firing Schools (SAFS)
SAFS courses provide classroom instruction and range firing for individuals of all experience levels. SAFS instruction includes hands-on coaching from military team members as well as certified civilian personnel within the classroom and on the range. Training features include fundamental marksmanship techniques, competition basics and, most importantly, firearm safety. Currently, the CMP offers SAFS in Pistol (14 & Up), Highpower Rifle (12 & Up) and Smallbore Rifle (10 & Up). The Pistol and Rifle courses offer Advanced training for those who have already taken a SAFS class.
CMP/USMC Junior Highpower Clinic
The CMP/USMC Junior Highpower Clinic is an annual favorite of many juniors, led by the United States Marine Corps. The course, for juniors who have completed SAFS or have prior marksmanship experience, presents an in-depth look into position work, with a live-fire portion at 200, 300 and 600 yards. The clinic gives juniors a chance to interact and receive individualized training as well as confirm zeroes on their firearms prior to the rest of the National Matches.
Learn more about the 2024 National Matches at https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/.