General IDPA Practice

[LubeckTech]

I would like some opinions on parcticing for IDPA - using 4 targets what distances would make a decent, simple practice course? Nothing fancy just some suggestions to exercise basic skills.

 

[jmorris]

Variation is important during practice, you don’t want to be a MA at the classifier and shoot SS at matches. The el pres, bill drill and the like are standards that you should be familiar with. If you want to work on transitions spread your targets further apart than normal and vary distance; say 7 yds apart, T1 at 10yds, T2 at 5yds, T3 at 15yds and T4 at 5yds. If you want to work on your cadence bring them closer together and at 5yds to start, move back and apart as you progress. Do the drills standing, moving, strong/weak handed and throw in tac-sequence every now and then to mix things up.

 

[SIRVEYR666]

View attachment IDPA_CoF_CCW demo.doc

Here's a simple stage that I use when I demo IDPA to the new CCW people that my club trains. A few of us give the class a little talk about IDPA, and try to get more money...er, shooters involved in our IDPA.

Variation is important during practice, you don’t want to be a MA at the classifier and shoot SS at matches.

Yeah... That's not fun.

 

[pdb]

Practice your draw and reloads. A lot. Even at home with an empty gun!

On short stages, getting hung up on your draw can mean the difference between 1st and last place.

Shooting on the move and at moving targets also cause new (and experienced!) shooters trouble, but it's more difficult to set up for practice.

If you get your draw and reloads smooth and fumble-free, you'll be way ahead.

 

[Sidewinder6]

Two at 7 yds. 1 at 15yds, 1 at 20 for groups.

 

[akanotken]

Try to employ barricades ....

I'd practice shooting around barricades, and definitely on the move. Don't forget to throw in strong hand and weak hand shooting. Practice a bit further than you see at your local matchs to start with, and move back. Match day will seem a touch easier.

Other things to make sure you can do ...

Hostage/rescue shots
low cover/kneeling
barricade transistions
different start positions
Cover the targets with Tshirts


You are going to see all of the above eventually, if you haven't already. There are others things that are sure to come up as well. Swingers, drop turners, etc but creating that stuff is another level of effort.


Work with a timer, see what works best for you.

 

[TonyB]

The last time I practiced on my own for IDPA,I went to our local combat range and did the whole classifier.I used my new(to me) pt945,that I was going to use in the next classifier.It was the most beneficial practice I ever had.I made Sharpshooter in CDP the 1st time out.It's always good to have a plan when going to the range,otherwise sometimes it can be a waste of ammo.

 

[Alaskapopo]

I practice stages of the classifier. Of course I have a barricade and a barrel available to me. But even if you don't you can do most of it and the classifier covers most skills. Also if you are a master at the classifier but only shooting with the sharpshooters at a match. They are probably sand baggers. The classifier is a good skills test well worth practicing.
Popo

 

[Lurper]

Every shot you fire will fall into one of four categories:
Draw and fire
Follow-up
Transition
Reload

Master those and you will be a master. Your practice should have a purpose (ie: a plan for each practice session). Practice isn't necessarily going to be fun, quite often it can be tedious and repetitious. The guys who have the basic mastered are the true masters.