Author Topic: IDPA shooting teams  (Read 2007 times)

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Photobill

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IDPA shooting teams
« on: July 12, 2017, 12:33:39 PM »
I recently spoke to the management of my private shooting club about forming shooting teams for IDPA matches. A team would be a leader that would select 4 other shooters to be on the team. A team would be 1 each, Master, Expert, Sharp shooter, Marksman and beginner. The combined score of all team members would be used to select the winning team. An extra $5.00 per match would be charged to buy trophies at the end of the year.

Without going into all the minor details, my question is? How many shooters on here would be interested in joining a shooting team? Most of us are never going to be the top shooters but this format would let us be part of the top shooting team. As I see it now, you shoot in a match and there is really no reward. This format gives you a goal to shoot for. No pun intended.

My club said seems like to much work for them, no.

Offline IDescribe

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Re: IDPA shooting teams
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2017, 02:33:17 PM »
No interest. 

I know it seems simple, but if you're just putting five people together, adding their scores, and declaring a winner, no one would care much about their team score.   They'd still be looking at their own individual score and comparing it to others', especially if they were shooing the match with solos who weren't even on teams.

If you wanted to do teams where people cared, you would need a discrete team league with their own day to shoot and organize it something like other individual sports work their leagues, something like how dart leagues work.  You could have 5 teams, and say something like it's a minimum of four players per match, and a maximum of 6, and at least two of your players on a given day need to be women.  Then Stage 1, everyone runs it individually and scores are totaled based on Unlimited Scoring rules.  Teams are awarded 4, 3, 2, or 1 point based on how they finished.  Stage 2: Mixed doubles.  Each team fields one 2-person squad, one male, one female.  Total times for the squad based on Unlimited Scoring rules.  Award points (1-4) to each team by comparing totals.  Stage 3:  Triples.  Three person squads, minimum one woman per squad, LIMITED scoring rules.  Stage 4: Doubles.  At least one Marksman or Sharpshooter per squad.  LIMITED scoring.    ... and so on, and so on.    That's how to make a team aspect relevant.  Mix up how each stage works, do NOT have everyone shooting every stage, and give the captain's role in squadding have a real impact on the outcome of the match.

As you described it, it seems like I'd be paying an extra $5/match, and in exchange, I lose the freedom to stay home when I don't feel like going, and once a year I probably don't get a trophy.  ;)

Another way to do a team is to just do one for a particular interest, and not try to make it part of the framework of any particular match.  CZForum.com is a forum site like this one, but with MUCH MUCH less traffic.  CZFirearms.us gets more traffic in an hour than CZForum gets some weeks.  But CZForums actually has a CZForum shooting team.  I don't know all the details of it, but at least two or three (maybe all of them, not sure) are in Florida.  And they have team shirts and compete in events together.  I've competed in events one or two of them were in.  I met one of them briefly.  Cool guy, and he was quite good.  I don't think they're particularly formal.  I think it's just a group of guys who created a team identity for fun, and they designed and had team shirts made.  I suppose you might say their interest is to promote their own site and CZ firearms, in general.   Personally, I think something like that would be awesome.  Get together with four friends who shoot, and make team jerseys.  You could come up with a funny, meaningless name, or you could even name your team to promote some local charity.  Whatever.  Just something to build your shirts around and create a team identity.  ;)   

« Last Edit: July 13, 2017, 11:19:03 AM by IDescribe »

Offline Tanners Owner

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Re: IDPA shooting teams
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2017, 10:28:18 PM »
Neat idea, but agree with above post- might be too much for a MD & stats team to want to work. Another issue I can envision is getting a enough teams of the make up you want . Also think about the divisions they shoot as revolver or BUG  shooter generally have much different time standards than do the other divisions.
Like a midget at a urinal, I'll have to keep on my toes

Offline 1SOW

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Re: IDPA shooting teams
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2017, 12:54:39 AM »
Last century,  my club at the time did similar with 25 yard Bullseye comp..
They added a handicap for new shooters.  It was fun,  but was also a PITA when it was snowing or icy in North Texas.  Like I.D. said,  you felt obligated to get there .  We also got a bunch of trophies,  that quickly became insignificant.

It "DID" spur a lot of new shooters.  The new shooters' handicap made them a benefit to the team IF they progressed.

Offline RenegadeDave

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Re: IDPA shooting teams
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2017, 08:29:01 AM »
It's an individual sport at the highest level, if you begin altering it to push this "team" thing then it is hovering close to an "outlaw" match and most of your serious shooters will check out at that point. 

I'm on a "team" of "sponsored" shooters and you better believe there is a HUGE healthy rivalry since we all mostly shoot the same division.  (i won yesterday! IN YOUR FACE)

If you want to make new shooters have fun with the existing format of the sport, start an ambassador program and make sure there is a communal meet up at a barbeque or something like that after the match.  That will build camaraderie which will help retain new guys. 
Check out my Youtube channel! I geek out on CZ's and post match videos. 
https://www.youtube.com/user/GoliathGT