Thoughts on how IPSC works

If USPSA is clearly better than we would all have memberships and start clubs. But we all dont.
I don't know about Alberta, but a very large number of Ontario shooters are USPSA members. In fact, quite a few of us are life members. Burlington R&R Club in southern Ontario is affiliated with USPSA and occasionally holds USPSA matches or runs classifier stages during our weekly matches.
 
Multiply that by 4 to get a minimum average numbers. Not worth it really.

I disagree, the classification fee would almost certainly be less than 2% of the overall match budget. It would alleviate some of the issues with uneven class results and support the existing and approved system.

I don't know about Alberta, but a very large number of Ontario shooters are USPSA members.

Not every section has USPSA events close by.
 
I don't know about Alberta, but a very large number of Ontario shooters are USPSA members. In fact, quite a few of us are life members. Burlington R&R Club in southern Ontario is affiliated with USPSA and occasionally holds USPSA matches or runs classifier stages during our weekly matches.

I''ve been a life member in USPSA for about five years now. Doesn't mean anything.
 
I don't know about Alberta, but a very large number of Ontario shooters are USPSA members. In fact, quite a few of us are life members. Burlington R&R Club in southern Ontario is affiliated with USPSA and occasionally holds USPSA matches or runs classifier stages during our weekly matches.

I''ve been a life member in USPSA for about five years now. Doesn't mean anything.
 
I disagree, the classification fee would almost certainly be less than 2% of the overall match budget. It would alleviate some of the issues with uneven class results and support the existing and approved system.

The point is that there are other ways to address the same issue without spending 2% of the match budget on this classification.

BTW, curiously enough, if I am not mistaken, only Canada and US are giving the class awards. So, this "international classification" isn't really international to begin with...
 
I have never cared for the classification system either. I believe it rewards mediocrity and encourages shooters to stay a certain skill level.

I think it's fine to reward top lady, senior, tugboat captain or whatever, but not according to skill levels. Of course, I don't always have the most popular opinions lol!
 
We go from being a zone with some credit to a forgotten area of the bigger fish. Bad move. No benefit to the USPSA over IPSC Canada.
 
Holy crap...way to revive a dead topic!

On the other hand, ICS is now free so submitting Nationals and Level III match scores becomes more appealing, doesn't it?

The USPSA system classification system, as it stands, is also flawed (although less flawed than ICS). Ever wondered why Canadians do so well at US matches? It's because we don't shoot as many classifiers as the locals. As a result, our classifications are based on our match scores more than the classifier scores. The USPSA system is really two systems rolled into one where we pretend that they're measuring the same thing. Classifiers are typically stand and shoot; matches are typically run and gun. Even worse, classifier scores are based on your very very very best. If Joe C class gets very lucky and shoots a 95% on a classifier, that score will stand, even if he is never able to repeat that performance. Classifier scores tend to be inflated over match scores. It's made worse because I see lots of US shooters who "go for broke" on the classifier, knowing that if they trash it, the score is simply discarded.

A pure classifier system has flaws (eg the classifiers don't reflect what you see in a match; they can be practiced). A purely match based system has flaws (eg what if no gm's show up; what if there are not enough matches to keep up with accurate data). A hybrid system has flaws (eg combine the problems of both pure classifier and pure match based systems).

The only accurate system is one that can accurately project the performance of shooters by matching against common standards. I don't see anyone adopting such a system on a widespread basis for a number of reasons, but if you want examples of how something like that might work, they are out there. Just don't expect to understand the math, because I bet 90% of you just won't get it.
 
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Holy crap...way to revive a dead topic!

On the other hand, ICS is now free so submitting Nationals and Level III match scores becomes more appealing, doesn't it?

The USPSA system classification system, as it stands, is also flawed (although less flawed than ICS). Ever wondered why Canadians do so well at US matches? It's because we don't shoot as many classifiers as the locals. As a result, our classifications are based on our match scores more than the classifier scores. The USPSA system is really two systems rolled into one where we pretend that they're measuring the same thing. Classifiers are typically stand and shoot; matches are typically run and gun. Even worse, classifier scores are based on your very very very best. If Joe C class gets very lucky and shoots a 95% on a classifier, that score will stand, even if he is never able to repeat that performance. Classifier scores tend to be inflated over match scores. It's made worse because I see lots of US shooters who "go for broke" on the classifier, knowing that if they trash it, the score is simply discarded.

A pure classifier system has flaws (eg the classifiers don't reflect what you see in a match; they can be practiced). A purely match based system has flaws (eg what if no gm's show up; what if there are not enough matches to keep up with accurate data). A hybrid system has flaws (eg combine the problems of both pure classifier and pure match based systems).

The only accurate system is one that can accurately project the performance of shooters by matching against common standards. I don't see anyone adopting such a system on a widespread basis for a number of reasons, but if you want examples of how something like that might work, they are out there. Just don't expect to understand the math, because I bet 90% of you just won't get it.

The only way to eliminate all the flaws is to eliminate classifications and shoots heads up for overall placement. :D
 
Heads up would be great, for the guys that are in contention, for the vast majority of shooters though, that's not the case. People like to win stuff, hell that's what got me hooked when I first started, I'd never won anything in a sport before, suddenly now I'm getting wood (pun intended). Now, not so much, I have enough trophies and plaques, I still go for the win, but not for the trophy. I think the same applies to the guys who are in the other classes too, they want to get something for their effort, even if it's "just" a class win, or even 3rd D, or 6th C or whatever. I agree that ICS blows, as does the idea that a GM needs to show up to make a match count, but to some people that does matter just like getting a classification. Let them worry about which system to use, for the rest of us, lets just shoot and do our best, that's what makes me happy.
 
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