USPSA matches are freestyle, as stated in rule 1.1.5. This means that competitors must be able to solve the stage in their own way. We don’t tell them the target order, or that they have to move to the left or right first. But we do have some specific exceptions to this rule that are outlined in the sub-rules of 1.1.5, including requiring strong hand only or weak hand only for no more than the last six shots in medium and long courses. But there are some tricks to how you specify this to prevent gaming.
[Read more…] about Last six shots or three targets?Archives for September 2022
Stick to the range commands!
There are official range commands for a reason and there are reasons why Range Officials should limit themselves to only those commands. Yes, sometimes situations arise where you might have to deviate from the list of allowed commands, but 99% of the time the official commands are appropriate and the only thing needed. Let’s look at the common range command deviations and why they are not needed or should not be used.
[Read more…] about Stick to the range commands!Talking to Others about the Rules
We’ve all been there. A call is made at a match, or not made, and there is a query about if that is the right call, or non-call, and the response is “it’s just a local match”. I’m on my twentieth year in this sport and I’ve heard that response more times than I can count and, as an instructor, have fielded questions about how to handle it even more often. A lot of this directly relates to so called “club culture” which has also been referred to as the “Good Old Boys” syndrome. So let’s dig in a bit and talk about what does and does not work.
[Read more…] about Talking to Others about the RulesWhen good steel goes bad
Metal targets are not maintenance free, especially if your club chooses to purchase targets made from a softer steel than AR500. But even the more expensive steel targets eventually require some attention. Let’s look at some of the common issues we see.
[Read more…] about When good steel goes badWhere do the mags start?
Stages where the firearm starts on a table usually raise some questions because they are not as common as starting with the handgun holstered or holding the PCC with stock on belt. The most common question is what about magazines? Where do they start when the gun is on a table? That is what we were asking in this Question of the Month.
[Read more…] about Where do the mags start?