To clarify when I say ‘a bit of everything’ in relation to higher level matches I mean you are going to be tested on most if not all IPSC related skills/challenges.
The rules allow the RD some flexibility with applying the 3/2/1 to L1 and L2 matches in their region (country). I think it works well, smaller local matches can have flexibility and at a L3 you know 3/2/1 rule is going to be applied.
1.1.5 Level I and Level II matches are not required to comply strictly with the freestyle requirements or round count limitations (see Section 1.2).
1.2 Types of Courses
IPSC matches may contain the following types of courses of fire:
1.2.1 General Courses of Fire:
1.2.1.1 Short Courses – Must not require more than 12 rounds to complete. Course design and construction must not require more than 9 scoring hits from any single location or view.
1.2.1.2 Medium Courses – Must not require more than 24 rounds to complete. Course design and construction must not require more than 9 scoring hits from any single location or view, nor allow a competitor to shoot all targets in the course of fire from any single location or view.
1.2.1.3 Long Courses – Must not require more than 32 rounds to complete. Course design and construction must not require more than 9 scoring hits from any single location or view, nor allow a competitor to shoot all targets in the course of fire from any single location or view.
1.2.1.4 The approved balance for an IPSC sanctioned match is a ratio of 3 Short Courses to 2 Medium Courses to 1 Long Course (see Approved Stage Ratios in Appendix A4).
1.2.1.5. Empty chamber and/or empty magazine well/cylinder handgun ready conditions (see Chapter 8), should not be required for more than 25% of the courses of fire in a match.