Learn › Track 02 · Equipment & physics
Shoes, dress code & equipment control
There is no special clothing in air pistol: you shoot in ordinary sports clothes. But “ordinary” has limits, and the wrong pair of shoes can get you disqualified.
Think first: An athlete shoots in stiff, high boots and finds he sways less. Why would the rules care what is on his feet?
- They don’t: footwear is a personal choice
- A rigid, high boot braces the ankle like a support, so footwear is limited
- Boots damage the range floor
The shoe rule
Shoes must not cover the ankle bone. The forefoot of the sole must bend at least 22.5° under a torque of 15 N·m. You must be able to walk normally, heel to toe, in them; if not, a warning, then a 2-point deduction or disqualification.
Pick a shoe, then turn the torque up to the full 15 N·m:
Two things fail: a sole too stiff to bend, and a collar that reaches the ankle bone.
Dress code
Clothing follows the general ISSF dress code, the same one athletes in other events follow.
Think first: Which outfit breaks the ISSF dress code?
- Track trousers and a team polo shirt
- Shorts ending 10 cm above the knee, with a T-shirt
- Camouflage trousers and a T-shirt
- Allowed — Women: dresses, skirts, shorts or trousers, with tops covering front, back and shoulders. · Men: full-length trousers or shorts, with shirts. · Shorts no more than 15 cm above the centre of the knee-cap.
- Not allowed — Jeans and camouflage clothing. · Sleeveless T-shirts and sandals. · Taking your shoes off on the firing line. · Clothing that claims to enhance performance. · A watch, bracelet or wristband on the shooting arm.
Taping
Medical or kinesiology tape that restricts movement is banned. Taping is one of the things checked after the match, along with shoes. If you need tape for an injury, make sure it doesn't restrict movement, and ask the officials before the match if you are unsure.
After the match: equipment control
You may finish your last shot and think you're done. From 1 July 2026, that depends on your rank.
Think first: You finish 9th in qualification, one place outside the final. Can you pack up and leave?
- Yes: only the eight finalists are checked
- No: the top 10 after qualification are checked, so you may be called to equipment control
- Only if you used an electronic trigger
Post-competition checks cover shoes, taping, trigger weight, dimensions and grip. Failing any of them means disqualification. From 1 July 2026 the top 10 after qualification are tested.
Equipment control also issues your equipment control card. It lists up to five registered pistols with their serial numbers. Replacing a lost card costs €10. More on the process in equipment control.
What stays off the field of play
Some things don't belong on the firing line at all.
Think first: Your shot timer and training log live on your phone. Can it sit on your bench during qualification?
- Yes, if it is on silent
- No: phones and communication devices are not allowed on the field of play
- Yes, but only between series
Hearing protection is fine, but not the electronic kind that amplifies or receives sound. Athletes with impaired hearing may use such devices with Jury approval.
- Shoes: below the ankle bone, forefoot bends at least 22.5° under 15 N·m, normal heel-to-toe walking.
- No special clothing: the ISSF dress code applies. No jeans, camouflage, sleeveless shirts or sandals.
- Movement-restricting tape is banned; shoes and taping are checked after the match.
- From 1 Jul 2026 the top 10 after qualification are checked. Failure = disqualification.
- Up to five pistols on your equipment control card. No phones on the field of play.