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Interested in USPSA? Then NOW is a good time to start!

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JTH:
Interested in USPSA?  Then now is a good time to start…

Here's why:
Next month, the Eastern Nebraska Practical Shooters will be holding a Special Classifier Match, and later in July, will be hosting the Great Plains Sectional match.

Why is that important?  Several reasons…

When you join USPSA, you are initially listed as Unclassified in all divisions.  If you go to any match larger than a local one (such as a Sectional or an Area match), Unclassified means that you aren't in the running for any plaques or prizes.  It also means you don't really have any idea of how you are doing compared to competitors across the nation.

Having a classification, for many people, gives them goals and a way to measure those goals.  Plus, it is just interesting to know!

How do you get classified?  You shoot classifier stages during a match, which are reported to the national headquarters.

Classifier stages are (generally) short stages that test specific shooting skills, and at ENGC, are normally part of the match every other month.  When competitors shoot one as part of the match, your specific results on that stage (your hit factor) is sent to headquarters, and they compare it to their database of shooters--and more importantly, to the High Hit Factor (roughly the best score anyone has gotten on the stage nationally). 

And your score is then listed as a percentage of that HHF.  So---if you shoot a 4.500 hit factor, and the HHF is 6.9230, then you get a classification percentage of 65%. 

Shoot some more classifiers, and get more classification scores.  When you get enough, USPSA takes the best 6 out of your last 8 classifiers (or the best four of your last six for your initial classification) and averages them--and gives you a rank based on that.

If your average is:

* 0-39.99% = D-class
* 40-59.99% = C-class
* 60-74.99% = B-class
* 75-84.99% = A-class
* 85-94.99% = Master class
* 95+% = Grandmaster.(Don't hold your breath for that last one.  :)  Of the 7282 people nationally who have classifications in Production division in USPSA, approximately 1% are GMs. Only 4% are Master-class.)

And once you have a classification, you can keep shooting classifiers, and as you get better, your classifier average will raise, and you can go up in class.  (They recalculate your classification every month.  Don't worry, if you have a bad run one time, your classification can't go down.)

Here's a link to the classifications of USPSA shooters residing in Nebraska:
http://www.uspsa.info/cgi-bin/db_class_summary.cgi?state=NE

How is this good right now?  Because while normally we run a classifier stage every other month, we are running an entire match of classifiers on May 5th.  6 classifiers--which means that if you are new to USPSA (join online, and they'll send your membership into to you in about a week, so get it done soon!) you can get your initial classification done all in one match, instead of waiting a full year to shoot enough classifiers.

(Details straight from USPSA about classifications:  http://www.uspsa.org/uspsa-faq-details.php )

So---what about this "Sectional" thing?

ENGC runs a USPSA match on the first Sunday of every month.  5 stages, regular local match.  However, there are higher levels of matches:  Sectional matches (roughly state-level matches) and Area matches (multi-state championships). 

We are in the Great Plains Section, and it turns out that ENGC is hosting the Great Plains Sectional this year on July 7th.  It will be nine stages, and a full day of shooting.  Plaques will be given to class winners (given enough people in the division and class) and it is a seriously fun time. 

So---if you get yourself classified in May, and go to a couple of local matches, you should then try the Sectional match.  It'll feel just like a large local match (since it is in the same place, with many of the same Range Officers) but there will be many more competitors, and more stages. 

So:  More FUN.

Information and application:  http://www.easternnebraskapracticalshooters.com/2013sectional/2013sectional.htm

If you like that, you might think about trying the Area 3 match, which is going to be held in Grand Island on August 2-4.  Area 3 is a multi-state range, and there will be around 14 stages and 250-300 competitors. 

Info:  http://www.uspsa3.org/


So: 

First, join USPSA at:  https://www.uspsa.org/uspsa-join-renew.php

Next, PRACTICE.  (In particular, practicing drawing, reloading, and moving while doing those things in a SAFE manner.  See the post regarding match safety pinned to the top of this forum.)

Then:  Shoot the Special Classifier Match at ENGC on May 5th.

And Then: Fill out and send in your application for the Great Plains Sectional.

You'll have a GREAT time.

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