If IDPA is not tactical training, what is, and were do you get it?

[Glock Goblin]

A simple question.

If IDPA is not tactical training, what is, and were do you get it, how do you practice and how do you stay sharp at it?
Any skill including tactical thinking/ training will atrophy without practice to get good at something you need to practice it regularly.
Were can one receive decent value for money tactical training in this country? I'm talking about the tactical stuff - not teaching me how to shoot, or improving my shooting. Books and DVD's/videos are fine but you still need to practice the stuff. . . for real, for yourself, and prove that it works/ is a viable technique.

I believe that you can use IDPA as tactical training, but then you need to pack the ego away, accept the fact that you will never win another medal and be cool with that. You are then getting other/different things from the sport. You might still be relatively competitive, but will not be winning. I accept that you can not do all the tactical stuff - first time you turn around to check your six at the end of a stage will get you DQ'ed for unsafe. There are ways to break the tunnel vision, and check your six without turning around. How about covering all targets with your gun before holstering, or performing a tac mag change at the end of each stage prior to unloading.

We are strongly contemplating allowing certain shooters/ competitors to remain hot for the entire match if they are comfortable to do so after the recent death of a shooter on a range while practicing.

Thought comment, options, please. . . .

[Analyst]

Apologies if this comes across as a "wisecrack" (I'm really tired) but in my view the only place to "get" (which is to say acquire completely and holistically) tactical IQ is to be where it happens. There is no substitute. A close second is to be taught by those who have been there, and who have the patience to impart their lessons to a civillian. I have been fortunate to have known and been taught by some of these individuals, particularly in the hand-hand arena (which was a whip experience). I'm out of touch with where you could find such commercial trainers, but have little doubt that fine ones are around in SA. Go forth and yellow page.

[SSP]

This, or something like it, has been asked before. Apparently us mere mortals are doomed to fumble around in the SETA created tactical darkness forever.

[Analyst]

Glock Goblin, could you perhaps post an outline of what exactly you would like to be instructed in, or does that form part of your question? *rubs eyes*

[pietskiet]

i think its a sport that helps jou to be tacticly minded an helps jo to use cover corectly,helps whith speed shooting and reloading.

[Geoff Carter]

Amok! does a lot of what I think you would be interested in learning. We cover edged weapons, stick/baton, firearm and empty hand techniques and all permutations of .... and all in the context of extreme CQB/Survival.

[ikor]

'Tactics' are actions carried out to accomplish a limited or immediate objective. Tactics will ultimately be dictated by the situation in the case of personal defense.

To begin to answer your own question 'If IDPA is not tactical training, what is?' Start here with Ken Good's explanation of the OODA loop / cycle...a huge mental jump from typical shooting sports mindset...and this is just the tip of the iceberg

http://www.strategosintl.com/pdfs/OODA.pdf

As to where in SA to get good tactical training, I believe both DuToit and SWATG offer various courses that will address many tactical issues and concepts, and the AMOK! guys do a whiz bang job with the blade and impact tools. For all I know there may be others in SA who do the same. IDPA and even IPSC are certainly not worthless as they can teach you much about gun handling under stress and shooting fast and accurately, but I certainly agree that one can get a lot out of IDPA if one ignores the competition. I also, however, know that will never happen for the vast majority of shooters who show up.

[abhm]

I have faithfully promised Big T I will no longer make any comments about IDPA until I have spent some time participating in it as opposed to merely observing. I would however strongly suggest you approach SWATG a member of this forum and ask him, he does run courses for civilian personnel on occasion.

[BigT]

DuToitL and SWATG have both been recommended to me by people whos opinions I trust. I beleive that IDPA can be an excellent oppertunity to practise your skills but I do beleive you need a decent foundation to build upon.

[deonh]

If IDPA is not tactical training, what is, and were do you get it, how do you practice and how do you stay sharp at it?

I don't know who believes that IDPA is not tactical training, as whoever holds this opinion is mistaken. Then again IMO all trigger time is training time. But if it's tactical training that you're looking for (over and above IDPA of course) then I'd go with Geoff's suggestion regarding AMOK and throw a John Farnam course into the mix. Any training from which you walk... no limp away from bloodied and bruised (ego and body) is worth the price of admission.