IPSC & IDPA Stages

I shot a 260 degree stage at the IPSC World Shoot in South Africa. The range had 4 berm "walls" and a small opening that was basically designated as the place that you couldn't point your gun.
It was entertaining to talk with the RO about how he worked behind the shooter. He had to remain very aware of which way the shooter was going to shoot next so he could stay out of our peripheral vision and of course, our muzzle direction.

Also, RO warnings are awesome for new shooters who can get confused during a course of fire, too bad IPSC doesn't do that anymore.
It's still an option available to officials, but not often used.
It's a double edged sword.
While it might be nice to be warning a new shooter that he's close to a fatal mistake; experienced competitors like yourself and I - could get distracted by some RO yelling out what he thinks is a helpful warning and possibly screw up our run on a stage.
 
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I didn't mean for it to sound like I was coming down on you - just making an observation of some views of IPSC shooters (and realistically this transcends IPSC - it happens in all other shooting disciplines).

Just to make this clear this IPSCer is not "HACKING" on your rules
Not my rules. I think some of them need to be updated/modified/changed, however I feel that way about IPSC too - but it is what it is.
 
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Also, RO warnings are awesome for new shooters who can get confused during a course of fire, too bad IPSC doesn't do that anymore.

Interesting: you didn't think this 20 years ago,when an RO yelled "Finger"( or was it "Muzzle"?) at you during a stage at the US Nationals. I remember a rather drawn-out conversation where you insisted the RO had interferred with you.

-ivan-
p.s. On the other hand... I suppose after reflecting on the situation for 20 years: one is entitled to change their mind :)
 
I don' t recall, but I can say it was highly unlikely that my finger was on the trigger while moving or reloading. I have always liked coaching for novices.
 
I shot a 260 degree stage at the IPSC World Shoot in South Africa. The range had 4 berm "walls" and a small opening that was basically designated as the place that you couldn't point your gun.
It was entertaining to talk with the RO about how he worked behind the shooter. He had to remain very aware of which way the shooter was going to shoot next so he could stay out of our peripheral vision and of course, our muzzle direction.
.

They tried that once here on a range and we got it nixed (long time ago) problem was in the one port you were facing directly up range (L shaped range and you were in the bottom part of the L) and from that port if you looked 10degrees to the left of the target you could see the stat shack....
I can see adding 10 degrees or so to the 180, depending on the range and stage layout but its much easier just to stick to the 180/90 degree rule and build your stages within that.
 
In all of my years of RO'ing, I've only issued a warning once. At the 2003 Nationals in NB, I RO'd a shooter who was having malfunctions...As he lowered the gun and started performing remedial action, his finger started creeping into the trigger. Once I yelled "Finger!" it straightened right out and he kept working on clearing the jam. After the stage, I don't think he even remember that a warning had been called out.
 
Well it explains why guys out that way are so hot to wear plates and armorLaugh2

That's funny, I've been shooting IPSC for coming up on 20 years and I've NEVER seen ANYONE wear anything like that. Sounds like more Ontario ill-informed arrogance; but we're used to it.

Not to mention a dogmatic view of what's in actually safe, as suggested by Aqualung. :rolleyes:
 
Lol...well I've been shooting IPSC for 22 years and I've never seen a good reason to set targets up in a fashion where rounds intentionally go up range, but I'm sure you guys know what you're doing.
 
meh, if the range is setup for it, it's totally safe. we shot stages in Greece that went way past your typical 180 degree possibility. In Czech every year there are at least 2 stages where you almost end up shooting right back to where you started (direction wise, there is a hill in the way). Kelowna has a 270 degree range that usually gets utilized to it's full extent every time they hold a match. Not really sure why anyone would even question it, if it's safe.
 
That's funny...
Not to mention a dogmatic view of what's in actually safe, as suggested by Aqualung. :rolleyes:

What I find funny is that you're quoting yourself - 'Dragoon', 'Aqualung', 'The Breeze' & 'Calgary Springbok' (have I missed any?:rolleyes:)
How many online 'handles' do you need on this site Mass?Laugh2
 
meh, if the range is setup for it, it's totally safe. we shot stages in Greece that went way past your typical 180 degree possibility. In Czech every year there are at least 2 stages where you almost end up shooting right back to where you started (direction wise, there is a hill in the way). Kelowna has a 270 degree range that usually gets utilized to it's full extent every time they hold a match. Not really sure why anyone would even question it, if it's safe.

Well I guess the same could be said for loading competitors hot behind the line while someone is shooting the stage, but we heard lots of complaints about that.....
 
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