IDPA: Why classify?

[propellerhead]

The club I'm in has maybe 24-30 shooters per weekly match. They list everyone's scores a day or two later, ranked by final score. It shows whether the person is UN, MM, SS, EX or MA. There's no separate list for just the MMs or the SSs or the EXs or the MAs.

So why classify?

[Old School]

Originally Posted by propellerhead

The club I'm in has maybe 24-30 shooters per weekly match. They list everyone's scores a day or two later, ranked by final score. It shows whether the person is UN, MM, SS, EX or MA. There's no separate list for just the MMs or the SSs or the EXs or the MAs.

So why classify?

Its a means of seeing how you progress in the sport and compare to folks who are in the same class. IDPA is different in the way they classify people; I prefer USPSA's way. In IDPA, I know guys that practice the classifier and do well (Expert, Master) but can't shoot a winning store to save their life. Is a Master class shooter better than a Sharp Shooter class shooter? Maybe.

For me, I classify so I can shoot major matches. It is required.

OS

[propellerhead]

Originally Posted by Old School

For me, I classify so I can shoot major matches. It is required.

So far, that is the only reason I can see.

[leeindy]

i shoot the classifier often. i made master a while back but i still shoot it. its lots of fun and it gives you a good judge of how far youve come. you get alot of good trigger time and i use it to warm up for a match.

i come form one of the clubs with the highest master to other shooter ratios. i was the 5th one to make master in my club and on average we have 20-28 people at a match. and as far as master class shooters not being able to win ive not noticed this. since ive made master ive never been out of the top 4 with a few wins in there.

in short the classifier is a good judge of were you stand and good trigger time.

[propellerhead]

I still don't see it. The scoresheet shows every shooter for the match. It lists everyone by overall score. I clearly see where I rank... without being classified.

I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just trying to find a good reason to classify.

[Old School]

If you local club doesn't care and you don't intend to major matches, don't classify. That said, since the cost to classify is nearly free, accept for your IDPA membership, why not do it? If you are going to play the game, rank up and play to win.

OS

[Old School]

Originally Posted by propellerhead

The scoresheet shows every shooter for the match. It lists everyone by overall score.

An overall listing is not an "official" score sheet. The scoring must be broken out by Division and Class to be official. For our club, we show both views, unofficial and official, so guys & gals can see how they are doing compared to the masses.

OS

[propellerhead]

If we had 100 shooters per match, I can see how grouping it by classification will make sense. With 20-something shooters, I don't see the need.

I don't have a reason not to classify. I will eventually. I just want to understand why I would. I've only been doing this a month.

[leeindy]

its personal preference and youve obviously made up your mind then dont do it.

[DNM]

A few months ago I classified as a Marksmen. Last match I was up there with the 3 Masters who shot the match. I shot 11th out of 57 shooters. As they mentioned its just a gauge to see how youre doing. I know Im much better than what I classified... but Im not going to the state match this year so I dont need to classify again (technically). For our state match I believe they compare the ranks against each other. Also, when we get the score sheet (same day as our match) its categorized by division and rank. So for us here in the Great NorthWest its a means of organization and comparison. But we dont have MM shoot against MM.