This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
the live fire Mini-Match portion of the SO Class in training candidate SOs. In the event that a classroom setting is not
available, the lecture portion of the SO Class should be integrated into the range training portion of the Class with the
SO presentation material serving as the SOI class notes outlining the minimum topics to be covered by the SOI.
Following the lecture presentation portion of the class, the SOI and candidate SOs should set up either the indoor or
outdoor Mini- Match Course(s). Preferably, the SO Candidates will set up the stages without input from the SOI. The
SOI can then use any set up errors, safety hazards, etc as teaching moments within the course. (*Note: These stages are
illegal, by design, in order to provide a teaching moment for the SOI. See additional notes in Appendix B.)
The student SO performance on this CoF should provide the basis of the instructor’s final evaluation. This will let
the instructor observe both the students’ gun handling skills and how they conduct themselves while officiating
as an SO. At the completion of the Mini-Match, the students tear down and put away all equipment, while the SOI fills
out the candidate evaluation forms. The students fill out the SO Class evaluation forms and return them to the
instructor. The SOI informs the students of their PASS/FAIL status and provides individual assessments or coaching as
required. If time allows, the SOI can debrief with each candidate individually or follow up with them individually after
the class via phone or email.
Within seven (7) days of the course, the SOI will submit their course packet, consisting of the forms listed below, to IDPA
HQ. The packet can be sent via standard postal service or scanned and submitted electronically. If sent via standard
postal service, please retain copies of all materials.
SO Class Course Packet Contents:
o SO Class Roster with all required student information and pass/fail determination. o IDPA Safety Officer Application (one per student) o IDPA SO Candidate Evaluation Form (one per student) o IDPA SO Class Evaluation Form (one per student)
IDPA HQ will then process the SO Class and return IDPA SO Course Completion Certificates, new IDPA Membership cards indicating SO status, and mailing envelopes to the SOI. Upon receipt, the SOI will sign and date the certificates and mail them out to the SO candidates.
2-3 Months SOI Announces Class Schedule & Provides Contact Info For Interested Candidates
1-3 Months SO Responds to Candidate Inquiries; Provides SO Application & Additional Class Info
≥1 Month SO Candidate Returns Completed Application to SOI. Recommended to request course fee payment now.
21-30 days SOI reviews application, verifies information, and addresses any deficiencies with the SO Candidate
≥21 Days SOI communicates requirements for taking SO On-Line test to candidate(s) and provides web link and password to on-line test. (See sample letter in Appendix D)
1-21 Days SO candidate reviews rulebook and completes on-line test. Upon successful completion, SO Candidate should provide proof of successful completion to SOI.
10 Days SOI communicates class logistics (location, start time, equipment requirements, etc) to host club/range and SO candidates.
7 Days
SOI sends final class info to SO Candidates. SOI provides clear communication of expectations and requirements to SO candidates, including:
Class Agenda & Expected Timeline Range Location Info (Address, Map, GPS Coordinates, Directions) Refreshments (water, sodas, etc) Remind students to bring lunch as schedule will require a working lunch Appropriate attire (shoes, clothing, etc) and weather gear IDPA card, current Rulebook, SO Test Certificate (if SOI cannot verify through other means) Required shooting gear, including eye and ear protection, and ammo Reminder that class and range will be run as “Cold Range”. Provide directions on how to handle
concealed carry. Requirements for class completion (on time arrival, full day attendance, etc)
1200-1230 Working Lunch – Q&A on IDPA Competition Rules and SO Test Questions
1230-1300 Move to Rang, setup courses of fire, and conduct safety/CoF review
1300-1430 Blue Gun Demos with SOI acting as Shooter. Rotate SO Candidates through PSO/SSO roles. Other candidates should help review and critique PSO/SSO performance. Goal is to provide each SO candidate at least two turns in each role
1430-1630 Run IDPA Mini-Match. SOI should act as observer, Coach, and Chief SO. SO Candidates should continue to rotate through PSO/SSO roles. The SOI may recruit an experienced SO to assist the SOI in running both stages simultaneously (Separate bays, if available), or to reduce the SOI workload enabling the SOI to focus on assessment of the SO Candidates. If running simultaneous stages, SOI and assistant should swap mid-way through the Mini-Match so the SOI observes all attendees in action (SOI and assistant should confer on the SO Candidate evaluations). Candidate SOs may be given cue cards for “shooter errors” to be acted out during their turn as a match shooter (Competition Rules Violations Only! No Safety Violations!). Include cue cards for bystanders.
1630-1700 SO Candidates perform tear down & clean-up.
SOI fills out & signs SO Candidate Evaluations, collects SOI/Class Evaluations.
o At the start of the test, you will be asked for the following information.
Your IDPA Member number
Your name
The name of the SOI
The date of the class
An acknowledgement that you agree to abide by the IDPA SO Code of Conduct. We wish you a successful exam experience! The web link to the SO Candidate exam is:
1. Blue Gun Demonstrations / Cover Training / SO Exercises
Beginning on the Scenario CoF, the SOI should lead the Class though a CoF Safety Review and discuss such issues as:
o Where should the Muzzle Safe Points be placed?
o Are there any possible “SO Traps”, or safety concerns?
o Where should the stage boundaries be located?
o How are vision barriers used?
o Are fault lines placed appropriately?
The SOI should then give an example CoF Description and walkthrough. During the stage walkthrough, the SOI should
verbally indicate the shooting positions.
o Demonstrate what constitutes proper and improper use of cover.
o Show them how the Scorekeeper SO can be positioned to observe the shooter’s use of cover better than can the
PSO, whose primary responsibility is watching the gun and safety.
o Show them what to watch to help the SO Team observe and score the shooter’s use of cover.
Position of feet. Are they touching the outside of the fault line?
Having to move between shooting positions. Is the shooter’s finger on the trigger?
For low cover, is one knee on ground for low cover?
The SOI then acts as the shooter and has the students take turns, as a PSO and SSO Team, running the instructor through
the stage, while the instructor commits a variety of safety violations, including gross safety violations that would result
in a match DQ. This portion should be run using an inert training “Blue Gun” or toy gun. An air soft gun is also a good
choice if use of proper safety precautions (safety glasses etc.), are observed. (Do NOT use a live gun for demonstrating
gross safety violations).
The instructor should commit a variety of errors including those recommended in SOI Shooter Blue Gun Demo Error
Checklist. This is also a good time to go over how to handle a shooter that is verbally or even physically abusive.
The students are expected to identify the violations and give the appropriate warning or take the proper action.
Whether or not they do so, stop at the conclusion of the stage and discuss the violations and what should have been
done by the SO Team.
2. Mini-Match / SO Practice
Break the students into SO Teams, and move to the Standards CoF. Hand out the Mini-Match scoresheets, timers,
clipboards, etc. and have the SO Teams prepare to run the Mini-Match.
o Have students check each other’s equipment for legality and positioning. o If necessary, the SOI demonstrates the proper way to shoot the Standards CoF. Next have the “SO Teams” begin
to run other candidate SOs through the Standards CoF. The many strings of fire in this stage provide multiple opportunities for the SOI to observe the Candidate SOs prep and run the shooters. The SOI watches and critiques the student SO’s performance, techniques and knowledge of the rules. If comfortable with your SO candidates’ performance, privately give “shooters” and/or “bystanders” one of the Cue Cards from the file, Shooter Procedural Error Cue Cards.pdf, indicating a rules/procedure violation that you would like them to commit while shooting the CoF. (Note: These errors should NOT include any gun-‐‐handling safety violations.)