IDPA qualifier ... what to expect?

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30 cal slob

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thinking of joining ... have no idea what to expect from the qualifier.

every affiliated club does it differently, no?

is it enough just to read the rule book to prep?

thx.

-slob
 
The classifier matches are conducted according to the IDPA rule book and there are no exceptions. You can down load the COF and study it as well as do some practicing for it. The name of the game is PRACTICE and more PRACTICE.
 
Most points are lost on the "long range stage. Look at the course, easiest way to get rid of a ton of time is to get your draw down to a science. I shot it once about 5 years ago as a pending member, never sent IDPA any money. It was easily an expert time. Too easy to qualify well, IDPA needs a GM class.
 
You make some good points, Joe.

Stage 3 is the one that will make or break ya. It's a set of 4 strings shot from 20 yards, and it's basically a timed bullseye event. Take your time and get your hits.

The other spots where people lose a lot are the head shots on Stage One. You'll basically do 3 Mozambique drills at 7 yards; shoot to your capability and don't get caught up in the need to go as fast as the Master Class shooters (If they're good you won't even hear a break for the head shot--boom, boom, boom). There is a 2x head shot portion in Stage one--again, don't rush.

Joe is right, it's easy to score well. If a lunkhead like me can make Master, anybody can do it.

Dan
 
On a related note, how quickly will a noobie have to qualify? I'll be shooting my first IDPA match tomorrow - can you shoot your 1st unclassified, or do you have to qualify 1st? I was hoping to get a few under my belt before classifying.
 
Hey!

You'll shoot unclassified. No problem. Classify when you want to. No requirement unless you want to shoot sanctioned matches. Your club may require that you join IDPA if you're going to shoot matches regularly, but classify at your leisure.

Have fun, pay attention to the SO's directions (AND ALWAYS WATCH YOUR MUZZLE DIRECTION), and take your time. You can't miss fast enough to win.

Good luck!

-Sam
 
The classifier is to put you in a class according to your skill level. This is a good way to see how you compare to the others in your class. Don't sweat it. The classifier takes place about four times a year. As you improve you will move up.
 
No one makes you qualify! It's the club members choice. If you would like to go beyond the club level then its something you must do. IPSC, IDPA, USPSA , all have a qualification process. The qualifier is like shooting a match, only the stages you shoot are to determine your skill level.
 
The classifier takes place about four times a year.
Click to expand...

Actually, this is totally up to the club and even to the individual SOs.

Some nearby clubs shoot the classifier twice a year. Our club shoots one EVERY match (that's once a month) as an alternate to the main match.

But we also run them sometimes on practice nights for the benefit of the local gang. All you need is the props and an S.O. who's game to run it. Heck, I've run two in the last month for myself and a couple of buddies.

And, you can shoot it as often as you like. If you really blew it and you're not happy 'cause you didn't make it into the class you think you should be in, just shoot it again next month.

No sweat! :D

-Sam
 
Don't think of the Classifier as something you have to practice for. Simply reading the rulebook rundown of it will prepare you enough. The classifier is a test if your current skill as it should translate to a match. You don't get to practice the stages of an upcoming match do you? Too many people practice the classifier to achieve rank that their actual skill level isn't ready to support. So, they end up in the back of the pack in their class, unhappy and calling the leaders "sandbaggers".
 
Every IDPA club is required to run at least one classifier a year (please don't call it a qualifier). Our club brakes it up into stages and runs it as our monthly match, so its pretty painless. If you have a good SO and help reloading mags and someone to paste it only takes 15 minutes or less to run a shooter through. Practice your weak hand and strong hand I see a lot of points lost there and as stated the long stages.
 
Practice shooting 1-handed, strong and weak hands. The 1-hand weak hand stuff was what jacked up my score my first time...
 
I have been shooting IDPA less than a year and have done the classifier twice. For a fairly new shooter the COFs are a little deceptive in that they are harder than they initially appear. Taking your time and shooting well is the best method. My first time through I dropped way to many points. It wasn't a good day. The second time I shot it, I took off 45 seconds on my overall score by shooting 10 seconds slower. Take your time and get good hits esp on the head shots and long range targets.
 
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