to: the safety officer instructor from: continuing ... to the safety officer instructor (rev...

Copyright ©2017 by International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) Revision 170101-A Page | 1

To: The Safety Officer Instructor From: Continuing Education Team

Note: This version of the SO Training curriculum (170101-A) represents the 01/01/2017 updated release of the 2017 SO

Class material. This version updates the curriculum to reflect the final version of the rulebook released on 1 January 2017.

For a summary of the changes in the various sections of the curriculum in this latest release, refer to Appendix B of this

document.

The enclosed SO Class education material has been developed by a team of experienced SOIs with the goal of updating

the SO Training Curriculum to reflect the new 2017 rulebook with modifications and improvements of the Introductory SO

Training Class presentation. Like the previous SO Class curriculum presentations, it does not attempt to provide an

exhaustive presentation of the IDPA Rulebook. Instead, the class is focused on teaching the basic elements of safely

administering and running an IDPA Course of Fire. The class exam is an on-line test that is taken by the SO candidates

before they attend the SO Class. (Refer to Appendix D for instructions on how to direct your SO candidates to the on-

line test. The SOI must provide link and password) This frees up more class time for training and assures that SO

Candidates have at least a basic familiarity with the IDPA Rulebook before they attend the SO Training Class.

All of the SO training curriculum documents have been provided in Adobe PDF format. A full description of the SO Class

curriculum documents can be found in Appendix B and a timeline for use by the SOI in announcing and organizing a class

can be found in Appendix A. The SOI is encouraged to read these Appendices in order to gain familiarity with the

proposed course timelines and relevant documents. Any questions about a documents intended purpose should be

directed to the SO Education Team via email at [email protected].

The SO training application form has been revised and can now be completed and signed electronically. While a

handwritten application should be accepted by the SOI and will be accepted by HQ, students should be encouraged to

complete this form electronically. The goal of this document is to provide the SOI with relevant background information

on the SO candidates and to verify that the candidate SO has IDPA club or MD sponsorship. This helps assure that SO

candidates have been recommended for SO training and will have access to post‐class mentoring to further develop

their SO skills and experience.

As an aid to the SOI, the SO Class Roster has been enhanced to include a tracking worksheet. The SOI can now use this

workbook to track each student’s submission of the relevant documentation (application, SO Test Certificate, Payment,

etc) as well as their course attendance and final grade. Detailed instructions are included in the document.

The SO Class is intended to be completed in a 9-hour block of instruction. (See Appendix C for course schedule.)

Approximately 3.5 hours of class time are allocated to a presentation of basic IDPA Safety Officer knowledge and

procedures. During the lecture, “Blue Gun” demonstrations by the SOI or as a classroom exercise involving the students.

During this section, the safety violation listed in the “Blue Gun Error Checklist” should be performed to help train the Safety

Officer Candidates. These are designed to help move the SO Candidate from, “Thinking like a shooter,” to, “Thinking like an

SO,” which means anticipating what the shooter can and will do wrong that could endanger themselves or others. (See

Appendix E for more detailed SOI/SO exercises.)

The classroom portion of the class may be expanded to include extensive use of the Demo Stages for SO training in the

event of inclement weather or unsafe outdoor range conditions. However, live fire SO practice and skills demonstration

is an extremely important part of the SO Class curriculum and the SOI is expected and encouraged to make full use of

mailto:[email protected]


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.


APPENDIX A – Expected Timelines for an SO Course

Timeine Prior to Class

Day

Action

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)


APPENDIX B – SOI Packet Contents

IDPA SO Class Forms

o IDPA Safety Officer Application (Rev 170101-A) is a fill-in-the-blank questionnaire to be provided by the

SOI to all anyone requesting SO training. The information provided will allow the SOI to assess the

qualifications and experience of the SO candidates and to properly adjust their SO Class presentation to

the attending students. This document is to be provided to HQ as part of your post-class submission.

o IDPA SO Candidate Evaluation Form (Rev 170101-A) is to be completed by the SOI and is considered to

be the final assessment of the SO candidate abilities. This document is to be provided to HQ as part of

your post-class submission. (One evaluation per student.)

o IDPA SO Class Evaluation Form (Rev 170101-A) is to be completed by the SO Candidate and is their

evaluation of the SOI and the SO Class material. This document is to be provided to HQ as part of your

post-class submission. (One evaluation per student.)

o SO Class Roster (Rev 170101-A) is an excel spreadsheet for tracking SO candidates and for preparing the

class roster. This has been modified from previous iterations to help SOIs track the relevant student

activities (application, fee, test, class attendance, final grade) and to generate the final class roster. The

class roster is to be provided to HQ as part of your post-class submission.

IDPA SO Class Mini-Match Stages

o SO Class Mini-Match Combined (Rev 170101-A) contains a score sheet and two complete courses of fire

(CoF). This file is designed to be printed double-sided and distributed to SO Candidates. They should be

allowed to independently set up the courses of fire without oversight by the SOI. After setup, the SOI

should review CoF with the candidates for violations of safety and competition rules and and range-

specific safety consideration. For example:

Are the targets set so that rounds will impact the berm? Where will shots fired by a very short

or tall shooter hit? What if a shooter does X, Y, or Z that you didn’t anticipate?

Are the distances from the shooting position to the targets legal?

Is the stage legal? *Note: All of the stages are illegal! Stage 1 requires tactical sequence and

Stage 2 requires >6 shots in the open. During setup, simply drop the additional target to

make the stage legal, and strike Tactical Sequence in the stage description.

o SO Class Indoor Demo Stage (Rev 170101-A) is a single course of fire to be used on indoor ranges in

placed of the two stages above. The notes on the Mini-Match, above, also apply to this stage.

o SOI Shooter Blue Gun Demo Error Checklist (Rev 170101-A) is an important list of Safety Violations that

should be performed by the SOI on the range using only a blue gun. The intention is to have the SO

Candidates acting as PSO and SSO with the SOI serving as the shooter. These actions should not be

performed with a real firearm!

o Shooter Procedural Error Cue Cards (Rev 170101-A) are to be passed out to the SO Candidates during

the Mini-Match exercises to help simulate real-world situations.

o Mini-Match Individual Files folder contains the three pages in the above document in a one page per

file format.


IDPA SO Class Presentation contains two presentations in native PowerPoint and PDF formats

o IDPA SO Class (Rev 170101-A) is a presentation intended to be used as the basis for teaching the SO

course and is expected to be used when delivering an SO Course on behalf of IDPA. Providing this as a

handout during class is recommended.

o Introduction to IDPA (Rev 170101-A) can be used to educate non-IDPA members and clubs about the

fundamental principles of IDPA and our emphasis on safety.

IDPA SO Supplemental Information

o HowToBeAGreatMDV1 is short list of “best practices” that will help the new SO and/or MD succeed.

o HowToDesignGreatIDPAStagesV1 is for use by stage designers to do a self-assessment of their designs

before attempting to use them in a match. The contents attempt to make the stage designer think

through their design for legality, safety, and for problems that could arise when (not, if!) a shooter does

something they did not anticipate.

o IDPA Target Scoring (Rev 170101-A) is meant to be a primer on IDPA scoring for those who are new to

IDPA but familiar with how the score is determined. This can be provided as a handout during class or

added to the IDPA SO Class presentation.


APPENDIX C – Expected SO Course Schedule

Class Timeline

Description

0800-0830 Arrival, setup, and complete paperwork

0830-1000 Lecture Presentation, Part 1

1000-1015 Break

1015-1200 Lecture Presentation, Part 2

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.

1700 Depart Range


APPENDIX D – Sample SOI instructions To New SO Class

o Three to four weeks prior to your scheduled class, please share the information below with your students

regarding the pre-class SO exam.

o You can access the testing information through the IDPA website www.idpa.com/SOI

o The SO Candidate will be asked for their IDPA Member number, their name, the name of the SOI, the date of

the class and to acknowledge their agreement to abide by the SO Code of

o Conduct.

o Your students should download and forward you, a copy of the certificate from the exam indicating they

passed with a grade of 70% or higher. Ask them to bring a copy with them to the class so that you can review any

missed questions from the exam. o Each candidate must take the pre-‐‐class exam before attending the class.

Below is a sample email you can use to share the necessary information with the students prior to the class.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear IDPA SO Candidate, Detailed Instructions for SO Candidates to access the pre-class Introductory SO on-line exam are

provided below. Please note that you must take and pass this exam prior to taking the SO Class. A copy of

your test certificate indicating a passing grade of 70% or better is required for admission to the class.

Here are the details of regarding the SO Test:

o The on-line test consists of 60 questions focused on the IDPA rulebook. The questions are

randomly selected from a pool of more than 200 mandatory and optional questions.

o The exam is open book, meaning you can use a copy of the 2017 IDPA Rulebook and other

materials, such as the acronym definitions from IDPA.com to assist you in answering the

questions o A score of 70% or higher is required to pass.

o You must pass the test before taking the SO class.

o Immediate feedback on missed questions is provided within the software at the end of the

exam, along with the rules citation for the correct answer, and an acknowledgment of passing or

failing.

o Please forward a copy of your exam certificate to the SOI upon successful completion of the test.

The certificate (or e‐mail you receive) indicating that you passed the exam with a grade of 70%

or higher. You are also encouraged to bring a copy of your exam feedback to the class so that

you can review any missed questions from the exam with the SOI.

o There is a time limit of 3 hours (180 minutes) for the test

o You may only take the exam once in a 24 hour period.

o You may stop and save your work and return at a later time to finish.

o Once you have passed the exam, you will no longer be able to login to the system.

o When you follow the link you will be asked for your IDPA Member Number – please have that

available. Instructions on the screen will guide you from question to question.

o If you have any technical issues (e.g. accessing test, website errors) with the test you can contact

support at [email protected]. They will respond to your email within 2 business days.

http://www.idpa.com/SOI

http://www.idpa.com/compete/rules

mailto:[email protected]


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:

http://www.classmarker.com/online-test/start/?quiz=f3351ae5e8b4a55c

The password for the exam is: safety (all lower case).

IDPA Safety Officer Instructor

http://www.classmarker.com/online-test/start/?quiz=f3351ae5e8b4a55c


Appendix E – SO Training Topics

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.)


o The Mini-‐‐Match can be run either as an IDPA match or broken into a series of training exercises, at the SOI’s

discretion. Each SO Team should have at least two opportunities to run a shooter through the CoF with each

student having an opportunity to act in the role of PSO and SSO.

After the SOI is confident of the Students’ basic SO skills, the class should then move back to the Scenario CoF and have

the SO Teams begin to run other candidate SOs through the Scenario CoF. Privately, give the “match shooters” or

“bystanders” one of the Cue Cards from the file, Shooter Procedural Error Cue Cards, 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.)


Appendix F – Summary of Changes

Date Rev Summary of Changes

29-‐‐Jun-‐‐13 130629 · Original Release

10-‐Jul-‐13 130629-‐‐A · Updated "Memo to The SOI" & "Class Description" To Include SO On-‐‐ Line Test Instructions (Appendix A)

15-‐Jul-‐13 130629-‐‐B · Corrected Two Errors in Shooter Procedural Error Cue Cards

18-‐Jul-‐13

130629-‐‐C

· Corrected Error In Mini-‐‐Match Scoresheet · Corrected Range Commands Typo In SO Class Presentation & Poster

· "Memo to the SOI" Modified To Include Use of Indoor CoF as

Alternate Mini-‐‐Match Scenario Stage Due To Possible Range Impact

Berm Limitations

22-‐‐Sep-‐‐13

130629-‐‐D

· Corrected Duplicate Target Presentation in Scoring Posters

· Corrected Error on SOI Blue Gun Demo Checklist Regarding Magazine Placement

· Simplified the Standards CoF by Reducing Number of Strings & Eliminated The Need to Move Barricades In/Out of CoF

· Updated SO Class Presentation Material to Reflect The Final Version

of 2013 IDPA Rulebook (14 September 2013). Changes Include:

-‐‐ Updated all Rulebook Cites In Presentation Notes

-‐‐ Corrected/Modified Presentation Text to Reflect Rulebook Changes Where Required

-‐‐ Added Two New Slides on Calling Cover (Slides 80 & 81) -‐‐ Added New Slide On Marked Door Muzzle Safe Zones (Slide 58)

· Updated Intro To IDPA Presentation Material to Reflect Final Version

of 2013 Rulebook (14 September 2013)

01-‐‐Mar-‐‐15

150329-‐‐A

· Updated “Memo to The SOI” to reference the 2015 starting point for

training revisions and remove reference to any SO training conducted

prior to 2013. · Added CSO requirements · Changed Penalty for Hits on Non-‐‐Threat Targets.

· Added reference for the newly adopted and modified divisions. (Combined Revolver, BUG & CCP)

· Removed restriction against advancing in a stage with an unloaded weapon. (Flat Footed Reload)

· New rules for female shooters gear. · Remove reference to Vickers.

· Add decock procedure.


19-‐‐Oct-‐‐15

150329-‐‐A

Completed Scrub of initial Training Materials updated for the

03/01/15 Rulebook release.

Reviewed all feedback on Rev “A” and incorporated appropriate

changes.

Removed all references to “Vickers” from the Training PPT and all

other Posters, Scoresheets, etc.

Remover Old References to Rule stating, “ A single shot may only

incuur a single procedural error.”

Updated this document.

Removed all reference to Mozambique in all materials.

1-Jan-17 170101-A Complete revision of classroom presentation to align with 2017

rulebook

Updated all supplemental documents that contained incorrect

information based on forthcoming rule changes

Edited Memo to the SOI

Added new fill-in-the blank SO Candidate Application Form

Added enhanced excel SO Roster that will support SOI tracking of

applicant information and paperwork and automatically creates Class

Roster based on inputted data.

Restructured files & folders

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