Tactical Games: Where brains beat brawn

Time of India

12-05-2025

(Image: thetacticalgames.com)
Okay, let's cut to the chase—The
Tactical Games
(or
TTG
, if you're in the know) is what happens when CrossFit and combat sports decide to collaborate. Imagine hauling sandbags, sprinting with a weighted vest, doing burpees till your soul leaves your body… and then pulling off a dead-accurate shot from your rifle or pistol.
Sounds insane, right? It is. But it's also the most badass fitness competition you've probably never tried—yet.
Whether you're ex-military, current law enforcement, a die-hard fitness junkie, or just someone who wants to test their mental and physical limits, The Tactical Games is a weekend of pain, pride, and a little bit of gunpowder-fueled glory.
So, what are tactical games all about?
At its core, The Tactical Games combine intense physical challenges with
precision shooting
.
Think obstacle courses, heavy carries, and fast-paced drills—followed immediately by shooting targets that refuse to stand still and wait for you to catch your breath.
The competition usually runs across two grueling days. You'll face multiple stages, and each one is designed to mimic high-stress tactical scenarios. That means no easy rounds. One minute you're dragging a sled or doing a farmer's carry with 100 pounds in each hand, and the next you're lining up your red dot sight trying to keep your hands from shaking while you take your shot.
And spoiler alert: Your body will be screaming, your heart rate will be jacked up, and you'll still need to hit your mark. That's the challenge—and the beauty—of TTG.
How a TTG weekend rolls
Let's break down what you can expect.
Each day kicks off with a morning briefing. This is when you'll find out who you're running with and where you're supposed to be. You'll get slotted into a squad of about five people. Based on your squad and position, you'll get a lane number—like Squad 2, Position 3 = Athlete 2-3.
That number is your identity for the weekend. Get used to it.
You'll rotate through stages with your squad, tackling fitness and shooting challenges together. There's a real camaraderie here—part friendly competition, part mutual suffering. Even if you're a first-timer, you'll find folks are generally super helpful. No one's too cool to offer tips or a quick 'you got this.'
Training for the Tactical Games
If you're planning to compete (and not just survive), your training needs to go beyond the basic gym bro routine.
TTG is not your average 5K or weekend warrior obstacle course. You need to train your body to push hard and stay sharp.
Functional fitness is King
Think sled pushes, heavy carries, sandbags, rope climbs, wall balls, and box jumps. Get comfortable moving with weight. Strap on a plate carrier and start practicing how to breathe under pressure. You don't have to be a CrossFit athlete, but you'll want that kind of conditioning.
Workouts to focus on:
AMRAPs (as many rounds as possible)
EMOMs (every minute on the minute)
Ruck marches
Sprint intervals followed by weighted exercises
Basically, get used to lifting heavy things and running with them.
Shoot like you mean it
Now let's talk guns. The Tactical Games aren't just about being fit—they're about being accurate under serious fatigue. You'll be doing pistol and rifle shooting with your lungs on fire and your arms shaking. Not ideal conditions, right?
So how do you prep?
Practice shooting drills after cardio workouts (yes, really)
Mix in box jumps, burpees, or kettlebell swings before you pick up your firearm
Work on your transitions: rifle to pistol, pistol to rifle—smooth is fast
Get comfortable with kneeling, prone, barricade, and weird-angle shooting
Accuracy matters just as much as speed. You could blaze through the fitness side, but if you miss every shot, you'll get time penalties that'll crush your score. TTG doesn't care if you're jacked—can you hit your target when your heart rate's at 180?
Last word: It's You vs. You
At the end of the day, The Tactical Games is about pushing your own limits.
It's not just about muscle or marksmanship—it's about grit. You'll walk away sore, bruised, probably a little humbled… but totally hooked.
And hey, if you're just starting out, don't worry. Plenty of first-timers come in just to see what they're made of. There are beginner-friendly divisions, and the community is surprisingly chill for a bunch of people carrying AR-15s and weighted sandbags.
So if you're tired of your regular gym grind and want to see what you're really capable of, TTG might be your next big challenge.
Grab your gear. Get uncomfortable. And welcome to the world of Tactical Games.
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