IDPA: The story behind the new 5x5 'abbreviated' Classifier

[Wendell]

IDPA will support all three classifiers for members starting in January 2018.
<http://www.multibriefs.com/briefs/idpa/5x5Classifier.pdf>

The story behind the 5x5 Classifier

Every year at IDPA, every match director can count on the fact there will be
competitors registered for their match needing to shoot a quick classifier so they
are eligible to compete at a sanctioned event. This is often imposed on the MD as
if it was their problem to solve and it was an imposition on clubs and MD’s to
accommodate these shooters. Setting up the 3 stage classifier and running a small
number of shooters often caused problems when clubs did not have this on their
calendar.
Another issue was feedback from MD’s around the country how they found
running the classifier as a match was a tedious chore whether they did it only
once a year or multiple times. Regardless of that fact, members who wanted to
shoot in multiple divisions need to shoot one or two classifiers a year if they have
not been to a sanctioned match in the division they are entering.
The 5x5 drill was a drill designed by Bill Wilson using the original IDPA target and
scoring system. What made it interesting at the time it was created, was Bill
Wilson created brackets that helped a shooter understand where they were in
terms of skill based on their score. It is a relatively simple drill to run and could
accurately rank shooters. A number of videos can be found online by top named
shooters demonstrating this drill.
At the 2017 IDPA National Championship in Cresson Texas, we wanted to run this
drill using the new scoring system of 1 second per point on the new IDPA Targets
adopted by IDPA at the beginning of 2017. This opportunity is the one time each
year where all of the best shooters in IDPA can be found in one place and so a
side-match was set up for competitors to shoot the drill for score.
A few weeks later, this drill was broken into two separate Standard Stages and
embedded into a Tier 4 sanctioned match with over 200 competitors. These
stages were extracted from the results and recompiled along with the scores from
the Nationals and other test events resulting in a test baseline of over 600 entries
with shooters from every division and skill level.
Using this data, we were able to recompile a new set of very accurate
classification brackets that have been validated with the existing classifier found
on IDPA.com.
After doing so, a proposal was forwarded to the executive board at HQ to adopt
the 5x5 as an alternate classifier that clubs can administer to members and have
their scores uploaded the same as they have done with the current 3 stage
classifier.
Club contacts uploading to IDPA.com will be asked to choose which method the
system will use when accepting scores. The choices will be Standard (3 stage
classifier), Abbreviated (5x5) or PCC Classifier.
The classifier integrates into the IDPA classification system and ranks members
based on their performance and records the date of the classifier for use when
determining shooter eligibility at a sanctioned match.
It is easy to set up and run for clubs. Alternately it can easily be embedded into
matches for classifying members while shooting a match. This increases the
opportunity for a match promotion in addition to the awards handed out at the
end of a match.
IDPA will support all three classifiers for members starting in January 2018.


<http://www.multibriefs.com/briefs/idpa/5x5Classifier.pdf>

 

[Canuck44]

This went out to all the members via the Tactical Brief.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Onagoth]

Has idpa been growing in canada? Or is it pretty much level?

 

[Canuck44]

Pretty much leveled out. Number of members continues to grow but the number of clubs has not. Nobody living in Canada to promote it. We have an American/Canadian duly living in PA as out Point of Contact. Then there always is our infamous rule book. A lot has changed since we met at the Ontario Provincials Matt. Unless you shoot it regularly you would not recognize the sport from 2010. I still enjoy the sport but it is now more like shooting IPSC Lite. PM me if yuo want to note the changes.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Onagoth]

yeah...i've thought about doing a state match here or there, but I don't think I would recognize it anymore....I haven't kept up on many of the changes.

Plus, my preferred gun as I understand it doesn't fit in any scoring division.

I'm sure there are active clubs in Ontario, including my home club, but I never hear about big events anymore.

 

[Canuck44]

Your Shadow2 is just to heavy at 48oz. They did raise the weight in all divisions to 43oz. which got the Shadow in finally. If you like IPSc you will enjoy IDPA but with less rounds and you need a gaudy yellow flowered shirt. :>).

There are a number of well run State matches just South of you. Michigan for one. I think PA runs a good match as well. Repete may come on and comment as he shoots a lot of the matches along the East Coast. I still shoot and Officiate at the WA State Match which is the best run State Match in the West by far. Good fun still just different.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Kilsworth]

I shot the classifier tonight, it was fun, but I overthought it, and would have done much better if I had just shot.

 

[Canuck44]

I shot the classifier tonight, it was fun, but I overthought it, and would have done much better if I had just shot.

How did your placing compare with the long version?

Take Care

Bob

 

[Kilsworth]

How did your placing compare with the long version?

Take Care

Bob

I had not shot the long version before, so can't really comment. I can say it was quick and will become a good practice drill for me in the future, maybe stringing all of the shooting together with reloads on the fly.

 

[Still alive]

How did your placing compare with the long version?

Take Care

Bob

I was helping some friends with a refresher for our first IDPA match next week. I modified the drill a bit to test my crew.
5 rounds free style from holster
5 rds strong from holster.
5 rds support hand from low ready
5 free style from holster, reload, 5 more.
All center of mass
10 yds, all from concealment.

I shot it in 33s but had to fight through 2 mag issues, one FTF plus the mag change. 3s in penalties total.
I think I can make 25s if all worked properly. Gun is getting a new mag catch!

I’ve not shot the Standard Classifier either. After 2 years in IDPA, I’m still Unclassified but have had 3 top 10s at my club.

 

[jimbo14]

Interesting story behind the abbreviated version (5x5).

I just did the 5x5 today, and did the "standard" classifier back in Dec. Just club stuff, not "official".

In any event, I understand what they are trying to do, and I can see the need for something, but the abbreviated version is quite limited. There is so much that isn't tested, that it seems strange to use it like you would the big one. I found it easier than the big one too, and ranked higher.

 

[Canuck44]

Interesting story behind the abbreviated version (5x5).

I just did the 5x5 today, and did the "standard" classifier back in Dec. Just club stuff, not "official".

In any event, I understand what they are trying to do, and I can see the need for something, but the abbreviated version is quite limited. There is so much that isn't tested, that it seems strange to use it like you would the big one. I found it easier than the big one too, and ranked higher.

When yo say you ranked higher, do you mean you moved from say Sharpshooter to Expert or just higher within a Classification? Thanks for replying. On the surface the new Classification would appear to be easier to score better. That said their test base to determine the brackets was quite large and shot under competition conditions.

Take Care

Bob

 

[CV32]

What are the thoughts on this?

From Executive Director Joyce Wilson:
"There has been much discussion recently on the definition of movement and its purpose or place in IDPA. At the time the Founders developed the sport, it was fairly common among defensive shooting instructors to teach shooting while moving. They felt it was an important skill and most taught that you should be moving off line from your aggressor as you returned fire.
As time progressed and legalities ensued, we've found that shooting on the move is not as readily taught among instructors today. And with the shooter being ultimately responsible for every shot that is fired, they must know their own skill level to accomplish this task in a real-world situation. While IDPA is not 'real world,' we strive to maintain principles and training that support sound practices that may be needed 'in the real world.' As one well-known trainer and our Executive Director were recently discussing, if you think you need to move to another position, then you should probably be moving as fast as you possibly can to present less of a target to your adversary.
In IDPA scenarios, shooters can explore their own skill levels without the dangers involved with a real gunfight. They can choose which targets in the scenario they feel comfortable shooting on the move or shooting from a static position. I feel that course of fire design should encourage shooting on the move but not require it per se. A good course of fire will give shooters of different skill levels different options. A marksman may choose to move to a position and shoot the first target, then move to the second position to shoot the second target while a master class shooter may just continue moving while shooting each target. This way the shooter determines their own comfort level and their own time, therefore their own score. With the new scoring of 1 second per point, I feel this is even more important to encouraging accuracy. Judicious use of non-threat targets in these scenarios makes the situation even more realistic, as in a real-life situation a shooter mostly will stop to make a more precise shot if there are civilians around.
Effective immediately, we will discontinue giving procedural penalties for movement. We will, in the very near future, develop more course of fire recommendations to encourage movement but make it the option of the shooter as to how much moving they do while shooting. As always, we want to continue to improve IDPA and make it a fun, enjoyable experience for shooters of all skill levels. This information will be included in an updated version of the MD/CSO Guide on www.idpa.com."

[emphasis mine]

 

[Canuck44]

To CV32

Smart move given some in the US who think moving their eyes back and forth constitutes movement. That is no exaggeration either.

Moving fast, slow or not at all, has an effect on your score. Shooters who opt to stand still to shoot targets in the open are self penalizing themselves. To add a PE on top of this, when judging movement was seen to be a subjective call and at least not consistent across the sport, makes dropping the PE the sensible decision.

From my experience here in Canada, issues like I hear about in the US just are not prevalent. Maybe it is because we take the sport less seriously or we are more inclined to accept and respect the call of the Safety Officers. I support the sport now but if you asked me directly, I prefer the version we shot prior to 2015. We called cover off the leading edge of targets, called movement and had no issues reloading before leaving cover. Things change and we now shoot the sport differently.

A lot of money, time and effort has been spent over the last five years to improve the sport and in the main the results are encouraging. The rule book still needs a lot of work - not so much for content but for clarity. Most of the major issues that have arisen over the past five years were self induced and for the most part were avoidable.

Take Care

Bob

 

[jimbo14]

When yo say you ranked higher, do you mean you moved from say Sharpshooter to Expert or just higher within a Classification? Thanks for replying. On the surface the new Classification would appear to be easier to score better. That said their test base to determine the brackets was quite large and shot under competition conditions.

Take Care

Bob

Yes, Sharpshooter to Expert, and 3/4" away from Master on my second attempt, (that being my only penalty). No way I'm anywhere near Master with the large classifier. If I had a second attempt on the large classifier, I'm sure I'd have made Expert. I rushed a few long shots, and the odd flinch or two and got penalties, one of which was a 3 second one (my only -3). That bumped me out of Expert.

I know what you mean about competition conditions, and my times on this reflect that. My personal best 10-yd Bill Drill time is much faster than the 5-shot first string time.

 

[CV32]

To CV32
Smart move given some in the US who think moving their eyes back and forth constitutes movement. That is no exaggeration either. Moving fast, slow or not at all, has an effect on your score. Shooters who opt to stand still to shoot targets in the open are self penalizing themselves. To add a PE on top of this, when judging movement was seen to be a subjective call and at least not consistent across the sport, makes dropping the PE the sensible decision. From my experience here in Canada, issues like I hear about in the US just are not prevalent. Maybe it is because we take the sport less seriously or we are more inclined to accept and respect the call of the Safety Officers. I support the sport now but if you asked me directly, I prefer the version we shot prior to 2015. We called cover off the leading edge of targets, called movement and had no issues reloading before leaving cover. Things change and we now shoot the sport differently. A lot of money, time and effort has been spent over the last five years to improve the sport and in the main the results are encouraging. The rule book still needs a lot of work - not so much for content but for clarity. Most of the major issues that have arisen over the past five years were self induced and for the most part were avoidable. Take Care Bob

Movement has never been a big issue in my neck of the woods either, and I agree with you re <2015 rules.

 

[Canuck44]

Jimbo14 by the sounds of it you are an Expert Shooter (Congrats by the way) and both Classifiers appear to confirm this. The Short Form appears easier but I suspect appearances are deceptive. Personally I think the new Short Classifier more represents what we see in Scenario stages. The issue with the old, Old version was scores were mostly affected by shots from the 20 yard line. The newer fault line Classifier aka Long Version corrected some of that but not all.

Take Care

Bob

 

[jimbo14]

Jimbo14 by the sounds of it you are an Expert Shooter (Congrats by the way) and both Classifiers appear to confirm this. The Short Form appears easier but I suspect appearances are deceptive. Personally I think the new Short Classifier more represents what we see in Scenario stages. The issue with the old, Old version was scores were mostly affected by shots from the 20 yard line. The newer fault line Classifier aka Long Version corrected some of that but not all.

Take Care

Bob

Thanks Bob.

It just seemed odd to use this as a classifier when 19/25 rounds are rapid fire freestyle to the body. Then 5 more rounds are rapid fire strong hand. Then only one 4" head shot. Maybe it should be called the "Rapid Fire to the Body Classifier"?

In any event, I hope this classifier helps out match organizers and participants alike. I've never shot an IDPA match, but I'll be trying it hopefully this spring.