NPOA transitions-from Fred

[Johnnyappleseed]

   It was decided some time ago to stop (during stage 2 and 3 of the AQT) what some refer to as "gaming" - which is a tech   What techres said...

nique used by highpower shooters to transition to standing from their prep position in such a fashion as to retain their NPOA when they again resume the position after the "FIRE!" command.

    The decision was made on the basis of safety - of keeping muzzles and people on the line aligned to reduce the possibility of someone getting too near someone else's muzzle.

    When some people stand normally, and others use the "feet in place" HP technique, it results in some shooters being at the rear of their mat, and other in the middle or forward edge, in front of their muzzles.

    Consideration was given to making EVERYONE use the gaming technique, but it was quickly realized that short people and kids would still wind up forward of those of average height, and the safety issue would still be there.

    Hence, the decision to require everyone to stand normally, and keep in alignment with others up and down the line.

    The second safety issue: The "scissors" legs work for some, but for those unfamiliar with it, particularly those a bit overweight, out-of-shape, etc, it's VERY unsteady and can lead to off-balance tumbling with the muzzle in all kinds of directions. The only time you should allow or encourage a shooter to use that technique is when it is evident they will not have issues with it.

    The balance: Any benefit derived from the highpower technique is not worth the tradeoff in safety issues.

    It's typical that "someone doesn't get the word" and continues teaching the old way long after it's been discarded. Hopefully, the new ISB will help in "getting the word out" to prevent things like this.

[TaosGlock]

As always, we have the shooters do a dry run on transitions after we show them what we expect.
This does take a bit more time, especially if the line does not demo it safely the first time.

In many instances it would actually be simpler and vastly safer to not do transitions at all.
Especially since most of the low hanging fruit has been picked so to say.
IOW, we are seeing more diversity in physiques, newbies, kids.

Most of the time transitions go pretty smooth and safe.

We could cut the times back like before as is still printed on our AQT.
It would still be a challenge for most shooters but it also would lose some of the real world effect, but it's not about the shooting right?

Everybody wants to game it, so why not make it equal for everyone?

Also there are some kids/folks that because of physique, cooridination, injuries can't do transitions well enough to make a score.
Even if they do well on Stage 1 and 4, they can't score rifleman.
So we ask ourselves if they fall into an 'adaptive' Appleseed situation. We will thus modify their position, i.e. no transition, accordingly.

We had an Appleseed that we endured 60 mph winds, the shooters would not quit... but I nixed transitions and cut times back as they being blown around anyway.

Safety is the ultimate goal in our ever expanding program.

Not saying we should end transitions though, our program is still one of the best...just thinking out loud.

Oops sorry JA, saw this was a Cali thread.