 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| What is IPSC Shooting? |
What is now called IPSC shooting or USPSA shooting was started in the
early 1950's by Colonel Jeff Cooper and his friends, many of them with law
enforcement or tactical backgrounds. They wanted a fun way to practice
practical shooting skills instead of standing still and shooting at static targets.
Active movement while shooting
IPSC is very much a mental sport. Matches require each shooter, in every
stage, to devise and stick to the best plan for his or her abilities and
equipment. A good stage design allows many different ways to shoot it. Each
shooter tries to get the highest scoring (center of target) hits in the least
time while running between multiple target arrays, shooting around or under
obstacles, cover, or ports, shooting moving targets such as swingers,
clamshells (disappearing targets), rotating stars, etc. A "miss" (failing to hit a
target) almost guarantees the shooter a low score on that stage. The sport
requires avoiding "no shoot" targets and hard cover targets. Penalty points
can be incurred for failing to engage a target or for violating the stage
instructions. Safety rules are strictly enforced, and a single infraction will
cause the shooter to be disqualified and dismissed from the match.
Accuracy, power, and speed
A shooter must combine accuracy, power, and speed to win a competition.
Full power pistols and ammunition are used, not light-powered target pistols
and ammunition.
The Rules
Take a look at the 2008 IPSC Pistol Rule Book (an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file)
or all the safety, course design, and shooting requirements.
early 1950's by Colonel Jeff Cooper and his friends, many of them with law
enforcement or tactical backgrounds. They wanted a fun way to practice
practical shooting skills instead of standing still and shooting at static targets.
Active movement while shooting
IPSC is very much a mental sport. Matches require each shooter, in every
stage, to devise and stick to the best plan for his or her abilities and
equipment. A good stage design allows many different ways to shoot it. Each
shooter tries to get the highest scoring (center of target) hits in the least
time while running between multiple target arrays, shooting around or under
obstacles, cover, or ports, shooting moving targets such as swingers,
clamshells (disappearing targets), rotating stars, etc. A "miss" (failing to hit a
target) almost guarantees the shooter a low score on that stage. The sport
requires avoiding "no shoot" targets and hard cover targets. Penalty points
can be incurred for failing to engage a target or for violating the stage
instructions. Safety rules are strictly enforced, and a single infraction will
cause the shooter to be disqualified and dismissed from the match.
Accuracy, power, and speed
A shooter must combine accuracy, power, and speed to win a competition.
Full power pistols and ammunition are used, not light-powered target pistols
and ammunition.
The Rules
Take a look at the 2008 IPSC Pistol Rule Book (an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file)
or all the safety, course design, and shooting requirements.
