● Double check your equipment and ammo

● Make a stage plan

● Move fast and smoothly when you can’t shoot

● Count your shots and know how many rounds you have in the gun

● Reload between shooting positions, not standing in front of a target

● Gun up prior to target availability

● One shot one hit = faster times

IPSC Shooting Strategies

Double Check Your Equipment and Ammo

Before stepping onto the range, always conduct a thorough check of your equipment and ammunition. This isn’t just about ensuring you have everything you need; it’s about confirming that every piece of gear is in optimal condition. Check your firearm for cleanliness and proper function, ensure magazines are in good shape and fully loaded, and verify the quality and quantity of your ammo. This routine minimizes the chance of equipment failure, allowing you to focus fully on your performance.

Make a Stage Plan

Walking through the stage before shooting is crucial. Use this time to visualize your movements and identify the most efficient shooting sequences and paths of movement. Consider the placement of targets, mandatory reload points, and potential obstacles. Planning your stage allows you to execute with confidence, knowing you’ve already solved the strategic puzzle in your mind.

Move Fast and Smoothly When You Can’t Shoot

In IPSC, the time you spend moving between shooting positions can significantly affect your overall score. Practice moving quickly yet smoothly to minimize the time lost during transitions. However, ensure your movements are controlled to maintain balance and readiness to shoot as soon as you’re in position. Efficiency in movement is just as important as accuracy in shooting.

Count Your Shots and Know How Many Rounds You Have in the Gun

Keeping track of your shots is essential for effective stage management. Knowing how many rounds you have left at any given moment allows you to plan reloads strategically, avoiding the risk of running dry at an inopportune time. This awareness helps maintain a steady shooting rhythm and ensures you’re never caught off guard.

Reload Between Shooting Positions, Not Standing in Front of a Target

Reloading while stationary is a wasted opportunity. Instead, practice reloading as you move between positions. This approach saves valuable seconds by overlaying necessary actions—moving and reloading—thereby minimizing the time not spent engaging targets. It requires practice to reload smoothly while on the move, but the time savings are well worth the effort.

Gun Up Prior to Target Availability

Anticipate when and where targets will become available and have your gun ready to engage as soon as you have a line of sight. This readiness means you’re not wasting time raising and aiming your firearm when you could be shooting. Practicing target anticipation and having your gun up and ready can significantly reduce your reaction time, allowing for quicker engagement.

One Shot One Hit = Faster Times

Accuracy is paramount. It’s more efficient to take a fraction of a second longer to ensure a hit than to miss and need a follow-up shot. Each missed shot is a double penalty—it adds to your time and costs you points. Focus on accuracy and make each shot count; this approach is often faster overall than shooting hastily and having to correct misses.

Improving Reloads

If you find that reloads are slowing you down, dedicate time at home to practice this skill. Dry fire practice with reload drills can dramatically improve your efficiency and speed. Use a timer to measure improvements in your reload times. This focused practice at home frees up your range time to work on other aspects of your shooting, such as movement and accuracy, optimizing your overall performance.

By incorporating these strategies into your training and competition routines, you’ll build a solid foundation for success in IPSC shooting. Each element contributes to a holistic approach, blending speed, accuracy, and strategic thinking into a cohesive skill set that can elevate you above the competition.

*If you are having problems with reloads at the range we suggest that you spend more time at home working to improve this skill set. This will allow you to spend valuable range time working on other skill sets. We suggest using dummy rounds and not live ammo.

Practice Tips by Matt B and Sterling W (2/19/24)