Cross-skilling or specialising?

[Skaaphaas]

With regard to pistol sport shooting in particular, and the upcoming IDPA Africa Champs.

Is it better to specialise in typical IDPA practice, or to become a more complete shooter and delve into other shoots as well?

The argument for specialising is there. I think 1911 said that he'll be focusing on IPSC in preparation of the World Shoot, and thus won't shoot the Africa Champs.

By this way, you don't pick up bad habits, like wanting to go to slidelock, or using cover, etc. Similarly, IDPA shooters don't then learn to drop half empty mags all over the place.

On the other hand, skills gained and practiced during other shoots might help you improve. IPSC probably helps your movement and reloads. IDPA might help your slide-lock reloads if you screw up an IPSC plan.

Friends of mine run a "social club", with their own rules on humanoid targets. The time penalties for anything outside the A-zone is severe, so I find myself focusing more on accuracy than outright speed.

Steel challenge is a nice balance of accuracy and speed, also with severe penalties for misses or badly called shots.

So, which of the two is preferred?

[neilh]

The cover and dropping mags story always messes me up when I go from IPSC to IDPA. I plan to shoot as much IPSC in prep for Africa champs and shoot an IDPA club shoot the weekend before

*edited to add*Skaapie, can one join in your social club? Those heavy penalties sound like a great way to train

[pdh]

If you have stuck to one, the cross of shooting other things will be fine.

Trigger time is trigger time. Although say 2 weeks before nationals i wouldnt shoot a IPSC league

[A-R]

The choice depends on what you intend to acheive.

If competing at an IPSC world shoot is your goal, by all means focus on that, and cut out any training or practise that might distract you.

If becoming a better defensive shooter is your goal, search for any realistic training available. Sports shooting is good, but probably not the best defensive training. That being said, it still beats computer games hands down...

I would like to become an accomplished all-round shooter, one day. But with the time and cash available for training, that will likely remain a dream. Some sponsorship might help...