The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Practicing for IDPA At Home, At The Range, Everywhere

MrBorland · September 26, 2008, 05:11 PM

I'm nearly in the same boat. My range isn't strict, but it's a hassle to get there. Some random thoughts that've helped me. In no particular order.

1. As Jim said, dry fire drills are good. Especially if you invest in a par timer. Check out the Steve Anderson's link below. His book, Refinement and Repetition is an expanded version.

http://www.andersonshooting.com/refinement.htm

2. Cruise on over to the Brian Enos forum:

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/

Lots of great info there. In particular, check out the Video Training Tips subforum. Shooters film themselves and ask for feedback. Maybe not always IDPA, but by studying the video and the feedback, you can learn a lot.

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showforum=142

3. Buy some IDPA targets (or make them), download a copy of the IDPA qualifier and practice it via dry fire in your backyard. Some argue there's no point in specifically practicing & mastering the qualifier if you then get your butt kicked by others in your class, but the qualifier has many of the elements used in IDPA stages.

4. It may now be too basic a book for you, but Walt Rauch's book, Practically Speaking, has different courses of fire in the back, which can be set up and practiced in your backyard. Maybe there are other online sources for different courses of fire to practice as well.

5. Depending on what gun you're using, maybe invest in an airsoft clone, and do all the above with that. Here's a vid of some home drills with an airsoft clone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlV6V36NXls

6. If you don't already, practice drawing from concealment.

7. Buy and read a copy of Brain Enos' book, Practical Shooting, Beyond Fundamentals. Available (as is other good books) via the Enos forum.

September 26, 2008, 05:11 PM	#3
MrBorland Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 2,614	I'm nearly in the same boat. My range isn't strict, but it's a hassle to get there. Some random thoughts that've helped me. In no particular order. 1. As Jim said, dry fire drills are good. Especially if you invest in a par timer. Check out the Steve Anderson's link below. His book, Refinement and Repetition is an expanded version. http://www.andersonshooting.com/refinement.htm 2. Cruise on over to the Brian Enos forum: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/ Lots of great info there. In particular, check out the Video Training Tips subforum. Shooters film themselves and ask for feedback. Maybe not always IDPA, but by studying the video and the feedback, you can learn a lot. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showforum=142 3. Buy some IDPA targets (or make them), download a copy of the IDPA qualifier and practice it via dry fire in your backyard. Some argue there's no point in specifically practicing & mastering the qualifier if you then get your butt kicked by others in your class, but the qualifier has many of the elements used in IDPA stages. 4. It may now be too basic a book for you, but Walt Rauch's book, Practically Speaking, has different courses of fire in the back, which can be set up and practiced in your backyard. Maybe there are other online sources for different courses of fire to practice as well. 5. Depending on what gun you're using, maybe invest in an airsoft clone, and do all the above with that. Here's a vid of some home drills with an airsoft clone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlV6V36NXls 6. If you don't already, practice drawing from concealment. 7. Buy and read a copy of Brain Enos' book, Practical Shooting, Beyond Fundamentals. Available (as is other good books) via the Enos forum.