"PAR Time Scoring Explained"
by Vincent Zontini

This article will attempt to explain how to use PAR Time as part of a match using Vickers scoring (based on the 03/00 version of the IDPA rule book). In short PAR Time scoring involves setting a time limit for a given drill and as long as the specified number of shots are fired within the designated time "limit" then points scored on the target(s) is all that counts. PAR Time scoring is meant to be used with standards exercises (not "scenario" stages) and time limits should be generous enough for Marksman class shooters to fire the specified number of rounds within the time limit.

To use PAR Time as part of a match using Vickers scoring the PAR Time scores are converted to time. The shooter is scored the base PAR Time, plus (points down from the target + points down for penalties as described below)*0.5 seconds.

All shooters are scored the PAR Time as the base time irregardless of whether they complete the exercise in less than or more than the PAR time. If the shooter goes over the PAR Time the greater time is NOT used as the base time.

If a shooter fires before the firing signal, then the shooter receives a 5 point procedural penalty. The shooter is supposed to stop firing once the PAR Time buzzer sounds. Each shot fired after the buzzer incurs a 5 point penalty, but as long as no more than the designated number of rounds is fired then no shots on the target are taped over. Any points down created by shots fired after the buzzer are also added to the score. Although not mandatory some clubs allow the shooter 0.25 of a second to cover an overtime shot. Therefore a procedural is not applied unless the shooter was over the time limit by more than 0.25 seconds.

All PAR Time stages are "Limited". If more shots than called for in the drill are fired then the shooter receives a 5 point procedural penalty.

If a shooter has more hits on a target than allowed then a good shot (best shot first) is taped over until the target has only the designated number of hits. The target is then scored for points down. Under normal circumstances this also means the shooter fired more rounds than designated in the drill which incurs an additional 5 point procedural penalty.

Failure To Do Right incurs a 200 point penalty.

Failure to Neutralize does not apply to PAR Time drills.

Examples with a drill of draw and fire 2 rounds within 2.0 seconds:

• The shooter performs the drill in 1.3 seconds with 1 point down and no penalties. The shooter would be scored 2.0 + 1*0.5 = 2.5 seconds.
• The shooter only gets one shot off before the PAR time buzzer and that shot is clean. The shooter would be scored the 2.0 second PAR time plus 5 points down for the "miss", 2.0 + 5*0.5 = 4.5 seconds.
• The shooter makes the second shot after the PAR time buzzer and completes the drill in 2.35 seconds, and the target contains 1 point down total. The shooter is still scored the 2.0 second PAR time + 1 point down + 5 points for the one shot fired after the buzzer, 2.0 + 6*0.5 = 5.0 seconds. No additional penalties are incurred, no hits are taped over, etc.

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  How to Shoot IDPA and Win
  by Gary W. Burris

  The following article was written to poke fun at gamers and folks who take winning way too seriously.

Everyone likes to win. Some like winning more than others. And for you "gamers" out there, here are some tips to help you come out on top.

Let's start with the classifier. It would be very easy to drop a few head shots. Why not classify as a marksman instead of sharpshooter or expert instead of master? I know it is a status thing to be known as a master or expert shooter, but it is a lot easier to win if you compete below your skill level. Besides, all those plaques look nice hanging on your wall.

Winning club level matches should not be a challenge. First, you know most of the shooters and their skill levels. You can always shoot in the stock service pistol division if the really good shooters are competing in the custom defensive pistol division.

State level matches are a bit more difficult to master. But you can pick a state match in say, New York or some liberal part of the country where there are strict gun laws and few competitors. Avoid states in the sun belt. Shooters from the southern states tend to be very competitive.

Winning at the IDPA Nationals is not as difficult as you might think. All the top shooters will be in the master and expert ranks (you have solved that problem by blowing some head shots on the classifier). However, you may be bumped up in class due to the number of competitors. So you may be forced to shoot in different divisions each year.

Work the Safety Officer. Never be the first shooter. Sit back and watch how the SO calls or does not call procedural penalties for cover, movement and the like. If the SO is a range Nazi then you are screwed. In that case just do your best on his stage and hope the next scenario will have a more forgiving SO.

If the SO is easygoing you can play him like a drum. On stages that require shooting on the move, always take the first shot before moving then stop for subsequent shots. Never take the time to retreat to cover for reloads unless the SO calls out "cover" and the same applies to any cover situation.

Here is a list of things you can use to improve your score:

• Claim that a bullet hole within two bullet diameters of the line should be counted as a good hit (it is a well known fact that most Safety Officers do not have a good knowledge of the rules and can be convinced that something is stated in the rules when it is not).
• On stages that require shooting with at least one knee on the ground, claim bad knees and use a tactical squat to your advantage.
• Stages with steel poppers. If you hit a popper and it doesn't fall, demand a re-shoot saying that the poppers need to be adjusted.
• Any stage that has a long shot. When you are the next shooter, grab some tape and run out to the far target and tape any holes that are not in the A-zone.
• Always protest a procedural penalty. The SO may give in just to avoid conflict or he may feel rushed to get on with the match. You'd be surprised how many penalties you can obliterate by being belligerent.
• Question everything. If the scenario calls for strong hand only, ask if you can support the strong hand while holding the money bag in your weak hand. I know the scenario says to engage the targets from behind cover but I'm exposed to them while moving to cover so can't I shoot them on the way to cover? I've already neutralized these threat targets so why do I need to stay behind cover? You get the idea, there is no end to the possibilities and anything you can do to gain an advantage is worth the effort.
• If you miss a target with one of several shots, claim a perfect double. Heck you might pull it off.
• Use ammunition which is way below the power factor specified by the IDPA. You can do this almost everywhere except at the IDPA National competition. You are on your own there.
• Get all the whistles and bells you can on your handgun. Just don't tell anyone or you might have to shoot in ESP.

A Challenge to the BoD of IDPA
By Gary W. Burris

The IDPA is starting to look like IPSC. A lot of the rule book addresses the desire to keep the IDPA pure. Or stated another way, make sure that the IDPA does not degenerate from a practical handgun sport to a purely competitive sport like IPSC.

I've noted a lot of steel working into scenarios. Having a popper that activates a moving target or one or two steel poppers to replace reactive targets is acceptable, but I draw the line at stages that have anywhere from 50% to 100% steel poppers and plates. What happened to course of fire design standards? Maybe clubs should be given some slack in how they conduct their local matches, or maybe not. But, now we are having state level championship matches that have completely steel stages. I see nothing "practical" about this and would like some guidelines for state level championship matches handed down by the BoD of the IDPA.

My personal opinion is that shooting steel is a safety hazard that should be avoided if possible. I shot the Kansas State match a couple of years ago with a fellow shooter who was carrying around half of a .45 slug in his leg from shooting steel. He told me that he had competed for several years in steel challenge matches, but this latest incident had convinced him to join the IDPA to shoot paper. I have been hit by lead fragments from more than 50 yards away at IDPA competitions and I don't like it. Every single person that I have talked with that has shot a lot of steel shows me scares received from lead fragments. We received several showers of lead from the steel plates near our stage at the IDPA National competition last year. Ever wonder why you should wear eye protection even if not near the shooting line?

Another Challenge to the BoD of IDPA
By Gary W. Burris

What are the chances of having standard award criteria for state level championship competitions? I have competed in over 12 different state level IDPA championship matches in the last couple of years and have noted many different ways that awards are allocated. Indeed there have been some really upset shooters due to the lack of consistency.

Some have a "Champion" award for each division some do not. Some give First, Second and Third place awards only for each division and classification. Others have as many as 5 or 6 levels of awards depending on the number of shooters in the classification. I once received a first place award when I was the only competitor in my division and classification. I have even seen no award given in a classification where there are less than three competitors while First, Second and Third place awards were given in the same event where there were only three competitors in the class. In no case should a competitor who paid anywhere from $50 to $75 entry fee plus travel, lodging and meals to attend a match be forced to go home empty handed if he wins his division and classification. I know that many will say that we don't compete in these matches for the award. However, it sure is nice to be recognized for ones accomplishment. The bottom line is that there is no consistency in the manner in which awards are allocated.

Here are a few suggestions to the BoD and Match Directors of state level matches.

• Establish a guideline for the IDPA to follow in sanctioned state and national level competitions.
• There should be at least one award for every Division and Classification entered in the competition. ·
• Get the awards out in a timely fashion. (I've waited up to 3 months to receive my award)
• If you give awards at the end of the competition, do it quickly so folks who have to travel a long distance can hit the road.
• Get those sanctioned match results posted on the IDPA home page as soon as possible.