What is Hit Factor, and how is it measured and calculated in USPSA scoring?
What is the definition of Hit Factor in USPSA scoring?
Hit factor is the measure of a competitor's performance and how well they can manage the balance of speed and accuracy. Hit factor is exclusively used in USPSA and IPSC competitions and, the number represents how many points you score per second on a given stage. The higher the number, the better your stage score.
How do you calculate Hit Factor?
You can calculate your hit factor (HF) by adding your scored hits to get a total number of scored points (SP). You then subtract any penalties (P), and this number gives you your total points (TP) for a stage. You divide your total points (TP) by your stage time (T) to get your hit factor (HF). The calculation looks like this:
[ Scored Points (SP) – Penalties (P) ] / Time (T) = Hit Factor (HF)
Examples
Here are three examples, these hit factors are very close, but it's the balance of speed and accuracy that delivers the highest overall Hit Factor.
1. Most Penalties / Fastest Time
100 Scored Points (SP) with 30 Penalties (P) / 10 Seconds = 7.0 HF
2. Highest Score / Slowest Time
110 Scored Points (SP) with 0 Penalties (P) / 15 Seconds = 7.3 HF
3. Balance Speed and Accuracy Delivers the Highest HF
90 Scored Points (SP) with 0 Penalties (P) / 12 Seconds = 7.5 HF
What is the difference between stages with High vs. Low Hit Factors?
High hit factor (HF) stages are driven by higher points collected in a shorter period of time. Stages with fast transitions and low movement tend to run faster than larger stages with longer transitions.
Low hit factor (HF) stages collect fewer points over a longer period of time. Stages with longer transition times, high movement, and more challenging targets will take longer to collect the highest scoring points.
Why Hit Factor Matters
A Balanced overall performance metric: Rewards those who can be FAST and ACCURATE.
Allows Stages and Competitors to be compared: Hit Factor is a consistent way to look at competitors performances across multiple Stage combinations. You can also look at multiple competitors performances on a stage and see the distribution of scores for insights into level of difficulty and better stage designs.
Classification / Classifier stages: Used to compare multiple competitors performances on standardized stages for consistent measure.
How do I improve my Hit Factor?
When you look at a stage, you should assess your ability to move efficiently through the course of fire in order to achieve the best score in the shortest amount of time - (Points per second). For example, evaluate the way you enter a shooting position with your gun up, ready to engage—or how fast you can exit a position to get to the next one. The top competitors make the movements look effortless as they collect the highest points.
Hit Factor - Stage Strategy Checklist
Stage Management - Plan efficient movement and target order to maintain optimized rhythm, speed and performance.
Movement Efficiency - Minimize steps between shots and positions. (the shortest distance between two points is a straight line)
Balanced Shooting - Push pace—and avoid misses. Know where you can push vs. where you need precision. (Alpha vs. a rushed Charlie)
Penalty Awareness - Understand time-equivalents: do the math on how much in TIME a penalty LOWERS your overall stage score.
In summary, use the highest power factor for your division, get better scoring hits, watch your penalties, and operate quickly to achieve the highest hit factor. It takes the right balance to win.
To learn more about Power Factor and how it effects your score, checkout - "What is Power Factor and how does it work?"