Experience with IDPA handicapped accommodations?

[lrrifleman]

I am considering joining and competing in IDPA matches. However, in reviewing their rules for a shooter to compete as physically disabled, you have to be either an amputee, possess a dead limb, or be dependent upon crutches or a wheelchair. I am neither, but I do have extensive leg injuries which prevent me from running or moving quickly. At times, walking is painful if not a challenge.

It would be my contention that if I could compete among those that are disabled, we would all be competing on a level playing field.

Has anyone here that either belongs to IDPA or shot their matches known them to allow accommodations to those that are disabled but don't meet their strict definition of physically disabled?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Protocall_Design]

I don't know about the official IDPA, but around here, the locals would probably be OK with someone they knew shooting in that category. It might not work for a national classification or bigger than local match, but they try to accommodate any responsible shooters.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I've been shooting IDPA for about eight years now. I am a "Distinguished Senior" (funny, in USPSA I'm a "Super Senior" - not sure which I like better) and any gains I've made in skill have usually been offset by some physical infirmity brought on by age and past injuries.

There is no need to go outside the rules, as you suggest. They are set up to level the playing field by way of the different divisions and then shooter classifications. I shoot with many other seniors that are even more debilitated than me. If there is an element in a stage that you just feel you are not capable of (i.e. going prone) you just take the 3 second PE and shoot it standing.

The only accommodation made for my physical disability is that I don't get up to paste as often and the MD's where I shoot generally understand that is because of my infirmity.

I assume that you are going to be participating at either Quinton or the South Jersey Shooting Club. I've shot at the SJSC, but never at Quinton (they start too early for me when you consider travel time). I generally shoot in the central Jersey and Eastern PA area Great matches at Lower Providence in PA - close to where the Oaks Gun Show is held, if that is within your reach.

Feel free to e-mail me (through the board) if you have any questions or want further info.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Bib]

A lot of rules get bent or broken at Tier 1 (local) matches. As a long-time S.O. I've let quite a few shooters with various disabilities get away with things that could have been a procedural penalty... IDPA, although it truly is a "game", was started to simulate real-life scenarios. In real-life you can't move as fast as the other shooters..just the way it is. Join!...shoot, have fun and do the best you can.

 

[Johnrh]

I don't run in matches anymore, I walk. I'm shooting IDPA for fun and practice. If you can't walk I have no idea how you can shoot most of the stages, maybe just not shoot them and shoot what you can. Have you looked into PPC matches in your area?

 

[Protocall_Design]

Steel Challenge is also a good match for those who can't move well.

 

[lrrifleman]

John, PPC in my area is relatively nonexistent. There is a club in Lebanon (Pa) that is civilian friendly. I had shot there in the late '90s. While I do have a variety of sidearms I could use, unless things have changed, I am not permitted to use a 1911 in the PPC matches.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have similar problems. I have a very bad knee and wear a brace. This brings on two problems. One is I can't move very fast from point A to point B. My score suffers due to this. I expect this, no big deal. My high-speed low-drag days are well behind me. The second problem is position. I physically can not kneel so some "required" shooting positions are impossible for me. I shoot those from a standing position and take the procedural penalty. Also no big deal. I KNOW I am not going to be competitive. As long as my hit to miss ratio remains good I am happy. I have NEVER had any grief from the club or members over this. I shoot IDPA out of the Sacramento club.

 

[Tanners Owner]

I have similar problems. I have a very bad knee and wear a brace. This brings on two problems. One is I can't move very fast from point A to point B. My score suffers due to this. I expect this, no big deal. My high-speed low-drag days are well behind me. The second problem is position. I physically can not kneel so some "required" shooting positions are impossible for me. I shoot those from a standing position and take the procedural penalty. Also no big deal. I KNOW I am not going to be competitive. As long as my hit to miss ratio remains good I am happy. I have NEVER had any grief from the club or members over this. I shoot IDPA out of the Sacramento club.

Agree. I SO and am the MD at my club. Bottom line is advise the SO of your limitations accept the procedural for any position or movement you can do & go shoot and enjoy yourself. The key is to have fun, and shoot as well as you can.

 

[Jim Watson]

I agree that at a Tier 1 match, you are not likely to get hassled about accommodating a disability not specifically listed in the rules.

As a past MD and occasional SO, I want to clarify the term "Take the procedural." If you can't take a knee, shoot with the off hand, or other limitation, SAY SO UP FRONT so I know what to expect. Don't just blaze away as though you had not heard the Course of Fire.

 

[robertrwalsh]

As Watson says above. Most of the range officers know me there as I have been shooting there a LONG time but I still tell them up front, just before I shoot the stage, just so nobody is surprised by what happens.

 

[Grayfox]

I agree that in local matches it shouldn't be a problem. I've been to many matches where a shooter was physically unable to shoot from a certain position or walked rather than ran. Its cool. Nobody has ever had a problem with it.
I myself, have gotten to be too old and too slow to ever be a serious competitive shooter. I shoot IDPA because its about the best training for real world self defense available and it just plain fun.
I suggest you take that attitude and just enjoy it.

Just to add: Most of the time I don't even check my score. I'm only concerned with how well my old butt handled the stage in front of me. I'm really only competing against myself.

 

[WR Moore]

I noted a mention of "training" above. While being under time/accuracy pressure to perform is a good thing, competition generally isn't training. It's best regarded as practice under pressure and opportunities to learn. You'll find a lot of stuff that isn't good practice in the real world. In point of fact, many of the match stages are non-survivable in the real world.

Shoot, learn, improve but don't worry about where you're placing overall. Compete against yourself. My last serious competitions were several years ago. I finished mid pack or slightly lower, but I was competing against folks 30+ years younger. The two biggest items I learned in competition was not to waste time and that the difference between a good shot and a not so good shot is 0.1 second. Taking the time is faster/better.

Mas Ayoob once quipped that IDPA stood for "I don't practice anymore." In my case, it's I don't perambulate* (well) anymore.

*move.

 

[Jim Watson]

In point of fact, many of the match stages are non-survivable in the real world.

Way back when we shot IPSC, a trainer addressed that.
He said to not consider that you are simulating a sustained firefight with multiple determined opponents.
Look at each target array (Firing Position in IDPA) as a separate encounter, just stacked up for convenience and as a stressor.

 

[WR Moore]

Very valid point IF there are multiple firing points. I had in mind the single firing "box" and beau coup adversary targets. I guess, stretching the point, one could adopt that view for each target array, but most folks aren't that sophisticated.

A lot of the 'run' of the IPSC 'run & gun' was to act as a stressor. IDPAs nod & wink toward 'practicality' is wearing. Promoting actual use of cover is a good thing, the obsession with foot position frequently (faults) isn't.

 

[roo_ster]

Find a club that does not mind accommodating your peculiarities. Locally, one club is a bit persnickety. Another talks with me about how to make things happens then shakes my hand and thanks me for coming out when I leave.

Who do you think gets my dues, despite being twice the distance away?