Intro to USPSA

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Viking357

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I have my intro to USPSA this weekend and its supposed to rain. I am getting excited and just want to know if anyone has taken an intro class and how did it go for you or did you just go and shoot?
 
Good on you!
Intro classes will get you a lot further in the sport faster.

I just showed up one day to an IDPA match after watching some informational videos on rules like safe tables and such.

I told them I was brand new. The club basically assigned me a buddy to help me through the entire day. Made new friends. Great bunch.

I did each stage at a snail's pace until the last one where I tried to really go for it..

it was fun. You will love it.
 
I would estimate that less than 5% of new-to-the-sport shooters take a class before their first match (at least where I am). Which is not to say it's a bad idea, but it's definitely not necessary or expected or even typical. Frankly, there's a whole lot of information that people need to learn that just cannot be processed until after they have a match or two under their belt.

If you let the match and your squadmates know you're new, you'll get lots of advice and help. Maybe too much advice.
 
I did each stage at a snail's pace until the last one where I tried to really go for it.

Funny-ish story. I did most of my early shooting at an indoor match (the same match I later ended up running for several years) that is known as a good entry point match for new shooters. Like you, I definitely kept it in 1st or 2nd gear at first - really my first 2 full matches (6 stages).

I show up for my 3rd match determined to start pushing a little harder and doing a little better. I decide the simplest thing I can do is run hard between positions, rather than just jogging. First stage has two shooting positions at opposite sides of the range. I shoot what I intend to shoot from the left side, then RUN across the stage. I was in my late 30's, and several years removed from any full-speed athletic stuff like football. I sort of forgot that it does take a little bit of time and space to decelerate. So I am basically still moving at a pretty good clip (despite "standing on the brakes") when I arrive at the far right edge of the range - and its cinderblock wall. Well, that wall proved highly effective in bringing me to a stop, and I finished shooting the stage with a now-bruised shoulder. The RO was laughing so hard he had a difficult time getting through the range commands, and later told me he thought I was about to "bust through that wall like the Kool-Aid man!"

But I did do better in that match. Running hard does help. You do have to decelerate at some point, though.
 
Funny-ish story. I did most of my early shooting at an indoor match (the same match I later ended up running for several years) that is known as a good entry point match for new shooters. Like you, I definitely kept it in 1st or 2nd gear at first - really my first 2 full matches (6 stages).

I show up for my 3rd match determined to start pushing a little harder and doing a little better. I decide the simplest thing I can do is run hard between positions, rather than just jogging. First stage has two shooting positions at opposite sides of the range. I shoot what I intend to shoot from the left side, then RUN across the stage. I was in my late 30's, and several years removed from any full-speed athletic stuff like football. I sort of forgot that it does take a little bit of time and space to decelerate. So I am basically still moving at a pretty good clip (despite "standing on the brakes") when I arrive at the far right edge of the range - and its cinderblock wall. Well, that wall proved highly effective in bringing me to a stop, and I finished shooting the stage with a now-bruised shoulder. The RO was laughing so hard he had a difficult time getting through the range commands, and later told me he thought I was about to "bust through that wall like the Kool-Aid man!"

But I did do better in that match. Running hard does help. You do have to decelerate at some point, though.
LOL

I have seen people hit walls or waaaay overshoot the shooting position. always makes me smile and i give the guy a hard time for a bit.

Good fun!
 
If nothing else, I hope this trivial little exchange gives Viking357 fair warning of the vibe/atmosphere/culture of most USPSA matches. The shooter and the person on deck are usually very serious and focused, and the RO is serious during the course of fire. The rest of the crowd is usually in a pretty jovial mood. Scowling "sheepdogs" are the exception. I like to laugh and try not to take myself too seriously, so this is a selling point to me.
 
If nothing else, I hope this trivial little exchange gives Viking357 fair warning of the vibe/atmosphere/culture of most USPSA matches. The shooter and the person on deck are usually very serious and focused, and the RO is serious during the course of fire. The rest of the crowd is usually in a pretty jovial mood. Scowling "sheepdogs" are the exception. I like to laugh and try not to take myself too seriously, so this is a selling point to me.
Yes. the action shooting sports are some of the best possible sports to participate in.

These days i am laughing and joking until I hear *BEEP*.

I am sure it slows me down a little but I still have a good show.
 
Keep the muzzle pointed downrange at all times. Keep your finder out of the trigger unless it trigger pulling time. Do not handle your firearm unless it is your time to shoot. Take plenty of ammo. And take your time.
 
I agree with ATLDave about the vibes, I did go out and watch 3 matches and the on-deck and in the hole guys are thinking about how they are going to run the stage and watching the shooter run the stage. I am sure there are a million things going thru everyones mind. Should be interesting.!!
 
If you've watched some matches, then you're ready to go shoot one! Good luck, stay safe, and may all your steel fall with one shot.
 
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