So, as I mentioned in the title, I just shot my first IDPA match since 2005 ... which means my first with fault lines. I get it, totally. As a range officer back in the day, the subjectivity of the cover call was always a point of contention. The lines are intended to remove the majority of, and that is welcome. It will take a little getting used to, but no big whoop.
Anywho, to the point: I was shooting a stage that had a "hidden" headshot double tap paper target immediately behind the corner of a barricade position, from which one had to previously engage three targets further down range. This headshot target finished the stage. There was a fault line from the corner of the barricade. I shot the down range targets in correct priority, but after the final shot on T3, I started to advance from my position (brain fart I guess) by putting one foot out and over the line. I immediately caught myself, brought my foot back, and bent around the barricade and double tapped the hidden target. Down zero. Or so I thought.
The RO gave me a procedural for the step. Mind you, I did not fully break cover, had fired two shots on the three targets as required down range, and I did not engage the final target until I pulled my foot back over the line. Back in the day, I would have given the "cover" verbal and let the shooter finish the stage. Instead my best stage of the match was dinged for 3 seconds on a PE.
What's your take on this, regarding the ruling and the rules? If you start a stage, does that mean you are in the act of constant "engagement" until complete, or is "engage" meant to be defined as actively firing on a target?
Any input appreciated.
