Last weekend went to an IPSC match.
I sort of had to, but I'm glad I did because (as usual) I had a wonderful time there.
I joined a squad composed of people who I mostly don't know. I enjoy shooting with people who haven't been competing for years. The energy level is high, the attitude is positive, and most important .. they have new jokes, which I haven't heard before.
I'l spare you the jokes. Just because I haven't heard them, that doesn't mean that YOU haven't heard the before.
The reason I joined this squad is that I taught an "Introduction to USPSA" class last weekend, and I wanted to be there to help them, if they needed help, through their first USPSA match.
They've received the instruction, but they were required to complete a 'club match' without violating safety rules before they "Certified", which means they can go practice at the home club (if they are a member) using USPSA techniques, such as drawing from the holster, indexing targets, moving from one shooting position to the next, and reloading safely.. Also, they can compete in USPSA matches as a "certified" shooter. It's largely an 'honorary' certificate, in that the candidates have demonstrated their willingness to prove their capability to compete knowledgeably and safely in a USPSA match.
But it's more than that.The training actually does prepare the candidate for USPSA competition, and helps them get past their first match with confidence that they know what to expect. It's a way to smooth the road between training and competing. At least, this is the goal.
As an example, here is a video showing "Jim" shooting three of the six stages in his first USPSA match.
Jim is an excellent example of the trained, "First Time" competitor in an USPSA match. Watching the video, you will see Jim paying close attention to his primary priority; shooting the match safely. He moves slowly, shoots accurately, and generally strives to engage all targets successfully, if not quickly. He is aware of the gun-handling requirements of USPSA. He has practiced these skills, and here successfully demonstrated these skills
Experienced competitors will note some failures of attention (eg: engaging all targets on his final stage) and hesitations ... Jim is determined to perform all activities safely, and may hesitate between engaging arrays. But he does everything deliberately, and above all safely. These are the priorities we try to instill in training, and look for in the first match.
Speed will come with experience. We are not interested in trying to make the successful candidate shoot quickly. In fact, we actively discourage it. After proving to us, and to himself, that he CAN shoot accurately and safely, the candidate wil be certified to continue honing his shooting skills through the successive years.
And yes, most of the candidates will DQ eventually. Hopefully, this will not happen until he has achieved a certain level of confidence. This confidence will encourage him to attempt to shoot and move faster than his actual learned skill level will support, and he will someday violate a rule of safe shooting.
The USPSA and IPSC techniques both apply the "Belt AND Suspender" approach to safety ... an attentive Range Officer will stop a shooter after safety rules have been impinged, but not before a truly unsafe shooting situation occurs.
It is this multi-level ... and very rigorous ... emphasis on safety which serves both to remind the shooter that he has a complete responsible to be safe while shooting, and yet protects other by stopping the shooter before he actually endangers bystanders.
I was pleased to watch Jim compete. And I was even more pleased to present all seven "New Shooters" with their certificates of completion.
And as I said to at least two New Shooters last Saturday, I would be pleased to squad with them any time. They have proved that they can compete safely, and that's the target we are all aiming at.
"New Shooters" are the future of our sport. Jim's son is already a competitor, and I am certain that Jim will prove to be a reliable, safe competitor as well.
But the factor which encourages me is that Jim brought his grandson to the match. Just to wach, mind you.
And the grandson was not 'totally bored' by the experience.
Anybody have a gun-belt and gun he's willing to sell at an attractive price?
I have a feeling that Grandfather Jim and Father Darian will be in the market soon, to get the Grandson started in USPSA.
I'm looking forward to that day.
"The Future Of Our Sport". Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
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