The Tactical Games (TTG) are a unique set of high-intensity events designed to test one’s endurance, strength and marksmanship while competing side-by-side with other athletes. Since their inaugural season in 2017, The Tactical Games have taken the shooting sports community by storm, growing in leaps and bounds over a very short time. The appeal is obvious once you witness the competition for yourself: athletes from both civilian and professional worlds come together to test their skills and training in dynamic “battles” that are designed to punish the unprepared and reward those who can complete intense physical tasks and then control their heart rate and respiration to shoot accurately and efficiently. The battles consist of various skills that include at least one element of a big weight moved across a course or vertically over an obstacle, followed by putting shots on target with a rifle, transitioning to a pistol, and then going back to moving heavy objects again. It’s not an easy formula to succeed at; heart rate and respiration management are key since getting gassed physically makes taking accurate shots on paper very difficult. To add to the madness, the layout of the battles themselves are kept a secret going into a TTG event, so competitors don’t know what’s in store until the day of competition. As a result, the ability to adapt and alter one’s approach is incredibly important to doing well.
The Tactical Games (TTG) are a unique set of high-intensity events designed to test one’s endurance, strength and marksmanship while competing side-by-side with other athletes. Since their inaugural season in 2017, The Tactical Games have taken the shooting sports community by storm, growing in leaps and bounds over a very short time. The appeal is obvious once you witness the competition for yourself: athletes from both civilian and professional worlds come together to test their skills and training in dynamic “battles” that are designed to punish the unprepared and reward those who can complete intense physical tasks and then control their heart rate and respiration to shoot accurately and efficiently. The battles consist of various skills that include at least one element of a big weight moved across a course or vertically over an obstacle, followed by putting shots on target with a rifle, transitioning to a pistol, and then going back to moving heavy objects again. It’s not an easy formula to succeed at; heart rate and respiration management are key since getting gassed physically makes taking accurate shots on paper very difficult. To add to the madness, the layout of the battles themselves are kept a secret going into a TTG event, so competitors don’t know what’s in store until the day of competition. As a result, the ability to adapt and alter one’s approach is incredibly important to doing well.
One of the first things you’ll notice at TTG is the comradery among the athletes. Except when the heavy objects are being moved, there aren’t many stern faces, to be seen. Competitors in different classes with different skill levels are eager to share knowledge and advice with each other, with athletes sticking around after their events to encourage the next group through their battle and offer insight when the dust settles at the end of each event.
One of the first things you’ll notice at TTG is the comradery among the athletes. Except when the heavy objects are being moved, there aren’t many stern faces, to be seen. Competitors in different classes with different skill levels are eager to share knowledge and advice with each other, with athletes sticking around after their events to encourage the next group through their battle and offer insight when the dust settles at the end of each event.
The Tactical Games
Stage Rundown
Competitors On Target
Elevated Heart Rates
We have been following former Crossfit athlete Jacob Heppner as he transitioned from a world of pure physical and mental challenges to one that adds marksmanship to the mix. Over the course of his first year, we’ve kept close touch with him and gotten feedback as he’s brought over his skills from Crossfit and built a whole new training base in shooting sports. The 2021 TTG Championship was the culmination of that rookie year for Jacob, where his crash course in skill-building showed impressive results in a short span of time. Held at the legendary Reveille Peak Ranch in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, the event drew athletes from all over the country who were vying to get to the top of the leaderboard and to put a cap on a long year of competition. Jared Halbert, CEO and owner of TTG, and his team designed an impressive multi-day event with battles that truly tested the will and preparation of the athletes in attendance. Heads were shaking, chests were heaving, but the athletes were all smiles at the completion of their battles, a testament to the creative layout of the event.
We have been following former Crossfit athlete Jacob Heppner as he transitioned from a world of pure physical and mental challenges to one that adds marksmanship to the mix. Over the course of his first year, we’ve kept close touch with him and gotten feedback as he’s brought over his skills from Crossfit and built a whole new training base in shooting sports. The 2021 TTG Championship was the culmination of that rookie year for Jacob, where his crash course in skill-building showed impressive results in a short span of time. Held at the legendary Reveille Peak Ranch in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, the event drew athletes from all over the country who were vying to get to the top of the leaderboard and to put a cap on a long year of competition. Jared Halbert, CEO and owner of TTG, and his team designed an impressive multi-day event with battles that truly tested the will and preparation of the athletes in attendance. Heads were shaking, chests were heaving, but the athletes were all smiles at the completion of their battles, a testament to the creative layout of the event.
The Business End Of The Table
2nd Place At TTG
Plates
Winston
Jacob’s first National Championship was an eyeopener; excelling in the fitness portion of the battles was generally a given, but the shooting component was an unknown. Competing in the fierce Men’s Elite division against shooters who have sent many thousands more rounds downrange, along with decades of added firearms experience, was a challenge. The leaderboard was tight across the two-day event, and the battles achieved their goals of playing to different athletes’ various strengths and hurting those with skill deficiencies. Jacob’s goal of a podium was realized when all was said and done when he earned his second place rank overall. Not bad for a compressed year of training filled with other endeavors that took time and training energy away from his prep. Of course, he was looking to make it all the way to the top of the podium, so he definitely didn’t rest on his time between seasons.
Jacob’s first National Championship was an eyeopener; excelling in the fitness portion of the battles was generally a given, but the shooting component was an unknown. Competing in the fierce Men’s Elite division against shooters who have sent many thousands more rounds downrange, along with decades of added firearms experience, was a challenge. The leaderboard was tight across the two-day event, and the battles achieved their goals of playing to different athletes’ various strengths and hurting those with skill deficiencies. Jacob’s goal of a podium was realized when all was said and done when he earned his second place rank overall. Not bad for a compressed year of training filled with other endeavors that took time and training energy away from his prep. Of course, he was looking to make it all the way to the top of the podium, so he definitely didn’t rest on his time between seasons.
Counting Hits
Getting Dirty At The Games
The 2022 season kicked off last week in Mississippi, and the increased number of athletes and sponsor involvement really drives home how quickly this sport has grown from an esoteric, little-known competition into a mature sporting league that provides a high value for companies aligned with the sport and the competitors in the trenches. We are proud to be along for the ride with Jacob and the whole TTG outfit and look forward to watching it continue to expand in popularity and participation in the future. To learn more or get involved, head over to The Tactical Games and we hope to see you out there.
The 2022 season kicked off last week in Mississippi, and the increased number of athletes and sponsor involvement really drives home how quickly this sport has grown from an esoteric, little-known competition into a mature sporting league that provides a high value for companies aligned with the sport and the competitors in the trenches. We are proud to be along for the ride with Jacob and the whole TTG outfit and look forward to watching it continue to expand in popularity and participation in the future. To learn more or get involved, head over to The Tactical Games and we hope to see you out there.
