IDPA club dying, your thoughts for revival....

[seamusTX]

I agree, Kevin. Before people can participate in IDPA, they need to be able to shoot at all.

Perhaps the IDPA club needs a recruitment committee that moves people up gradually.

- Jim

[TraCoun]

Slowly.. however, there seemed to be a trend toward making the scenarios more difficult..and competition among a few of the members reached a fevered pitch.

I suppose IDPA is viewed by some as "a game". And we all know that anytime you have a "game"... that someone is going to feel like they just have to win. I am not against a little playful competition..but I believe (at the club level) it can easily cause some problems. It is my opinion that each person should strive to improve upon their skills, but.. in the process..be helpful to those less experienced.

When the ultra competitive are left to concoct the scenarios, it often results in more of a challenge than the less experienced shooters are able to handle. I can't help but think this is discouraging to them.

Flint -- You hit on something very important here. People - male, female, young, old - will not keep coming back if they don't feel SOME possibility of 'succeeding'. Younger folks seem to be more intense this way -- if they don't see some success soon, they lose interest. I've heard folks from other clubs say, and we try to follow it, that you need to have AT LEAST one 'standards' stage at each match. We can understand the talented and competitive folks wanting things they like, but there needs to be a balance.

The IDPA CoF book has a wide range. In addition, if you can get a copy of the CD one of the clubs put out with close to 1,000 scenarios (or go to their website) you can get a lot more.

Thanx,
TraCoun

[kw5kw]

While I'm not new to guns, I've never even been to one of these matches. I 'plink', I use 'targets', and I go to a range about once or twice a month.

I'm not a 'bad' shot, neither am I a 'great' shot. I scored >220 on my CHL renewal with a rented .40 that I'd never shot before.

I, acutally had no idea that IDPA even existed until I got back into guns and radios ealier this year. (I've had my head stuck in religious books for the past few years. -- Still do for that matter.)

So, for us 'beginners' in this type of competition. How? How do you get started?

Invite a few of us out for a 'first time' shoot at reduced rates or range fees only.

Don't chastise the weaker new shot, they should improve with practice. I know if I'd practice more, I'd become a much better shot.

Send follow-up correspondance, ask how they're doing. Invite them back. Call them up & just chat on the phone for a while... don't be a stranger.

Go to their range and 'pop off' a couple... become a friend.

Your club will grow.

I know, I took over a ham radio club in the 90's that had at one time had over 200 members and had dropped to around 20. I held that job for eight years, and got the club back to over 200 again. Then, eight years ago I 'burnt-out' and left the club. Now that club only has about 20 members again.

Ok, so it's time for me to start over there--------- again!

Hope these suggestions help.

Russ

[jbirds1210]

Flint,
What weekend does your club shoot? I would be willing to make the occasional trip for experience!


KW- It is great fun and I have met some WONDERFUL people after shooting only one match last month...please do yourself a favor and go shoot a match, you will not regret it.

Jason

[cyphur]

I've never shot an IDPA match, but I'm no stranger to buiding things up.

I think the suggestion of helping newbie shooters out is a wonderful idea. Have a seperate meet for newbies on a non-match day, and have an informal educational shoot. Teach the basics, promote familiarity with lots of unloaded weapons, gun safety. Then after they've gotten to know the weapons you can move into actually firing them, the basic mechanics, range etiquette, et cetera. I think to walk a newbie through their first few steps in a constructive manner would go a long way.

My father tought me these things, and they were reinforced in the Army, but it is nice to have people around to help out. I haven't been shooting rifles or pistols in a few years, but Bill(The Marshal) has got me back into the swing of things with a few invites and I've had a great time - knew I would. Tough part is getting into the habit, or creating it. Informal stuff like that will go a LONG way to bringing more folks to the sport.

[Jeremae]

Competition is good but can cause a LOT of friction....

Maybe a dual match can be set up with ss/expert stages for serious gamers and simpler stages for beginners.

This might be as simple as restricting scoring area via hardcover for some targets or even adding targets to a stage so that both types of shooters can use same basic setup. Squads can be split depending on experience level so only one walkthrough/course description is needed.

JBirds (or anyone) if you plan a road trip post it here and we can coordinate to caravan or carpool.

[flintknapper]

Flint--

Suggestions-- Contact the Military Science program at SFA. Some of the students and even staff/faculty there may be interested in participating with you folks. They once maintained a .22 range located underneath the SFA coliseum, but closed it due to lead issues a number of yrs back.

Perhaps Angelina College may have an ROTC program as well.

Target the SFA and AC faculty/staff. I knew of a number of my colleagues at SFA that had an interest in firearms. You could place a small ad in the campus newspapers and see if that generates some interest.

I'm an ex-Nacogdochian (77-94). I've been meaning to come out that way and catch you folks sometime. Drop me a note about your 15th meeting. I"d enjoy coming out if I can get away.

Will do. When we first started our club a friend of mine (Robert Putzke) was the Chief of Campus Police at SFA. So, we had not only his officers shooting with us, but some students as well. He has since moved to another State and job.

Nonetheless, your suggestion is a good one.

Thank you sir.

Flint.

[PPM]

So many posts that I won't even try to read all of them. From a woman's perspective (and a teacher's) there are some things that are paramount.

First, is organization! THAT is primary. No, I don't mean a 'secretary' and that sort of stuff. Advance planning is critical. Spread out the responsibilities rather than let just 2-3 folks carry all of 'em. (Sometimes ONE person.)

Keep the size of each...shootin' squad under 10 if possible. So, having enough SOs and/or ROs attending is most important. It's better to break the group into 2-3 squads rather than trying to hold the entire group together. You'll be able to move thru the CoF's much faster that way.

If you want more people to attend, be sure the match doesn't last forever! People tire of standin' around waiting for their turn. So, smaller groups = faster shootin'. 3-4 hours on the range is MAX! Three is the better of the two, however. AND, if the truth were known, LESS than three hours for the official score keepin' 'game' would be even better! If your (collective) match is so long that it starts interfering with their lives (or other plans)...it's TOO LONG and people will start fallin' away. Shorten the OFFICIAL match and allow or encourage folks to stay if they want more.

ALL ages should be encouraged to shoot. I don't think the 'match' is an appropriate for hoards of kids runnin' around. Just plain distracting and totally unsafe. If there are 2-3 older kids (that are, of course, supervised by the non-shootin' parent at all times), then that's OK.

Take shootin' seriously but not yourself! ENJOY the time you're NOT on the line. Take the time to get to know the other shooters. Share with each other, etc. Make the newer folks feel welcome! Shoot each others pistols. Ya' might learn something.

Though we're havin' fun, shootin' is ALWAYS serious business! BUT...don't be afraid to break away and do something different or fun!

From what I've read on various forums, many of you are involving your wives. THAT's wonderful! And, that's where it probably needs to start. I'm thinkin that a Ladies' Day-type shoot might be good. If each woman that already shoots with the group were encouraged to bring another woman — that might work well to get other women interested. Our TXDPSA is slowly pulling in women but the process is VERY slow!

So, there it is...for what it's worth. I hope that you're not too late! Keep us posted as to any improvement. Good luck!

[j1132s]

What do you guys/gals enjoy about your club, and what recommendations would you make (keeping in mind that we are small, and surrounded by small towns).

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Flint.

Hi Flint,

I've never shot an IDPA pistol event. But I did shot a carbine even in the style of IDPA. All I remember was getting procedural errors and didn't enjoy it as much as IPSC styled matches or steel matches.

I think the IDPA style match I shot had too many rules (e.g. shoot tactical order, cover, you must take some steps and shoot, shoot while moving, foot cannot be on thing thing and that thing, etc.) I think something like IPSC or steel can help a club attract new members who aren't puzzled by procedure deductions.

So, I'd recomment expanding to at least IPSC (or steel if you have some equipment). IPSC w/ its relaxed rules and high round count should make any new shooter happy. And let in .22lr on the steel, this should bring in more females and younger folks.

Although I love poppers and plates at IPSC, I know many new shooters hate them because they can't shoot very accurately and ends up w/ DNF or major penalties.

Just some random thoughts. I hope your club becomes healthy again.