Description
IDPA Course Design with Tom Yost: Building Championship-Level Matches
IDPA course design can be a complex and challenging task—balancing fairness, fun, and safety while providing engaging challenges for competitors. Make Ready with Tom Yost: IDPA Course Design offers unmatched insight from one of the most experienced voices in the IDPA community.
Tom Yost, the Northeast Regional IDPA Coordinator, brings over 30 years of shooting industry expertise as a competitor, instructor, and consultant. With multiple national and regional championships to his name, including two IDPA national titles, Tom’s approach to IDPA course design is both practical and proven.
What You Will Learn: The Fundamentals of IDPA Course Design
This course is designed for match directors, safety officers, and enthusiasts looking to understand the core components that make an IDPA match successful:
- Understanding the IDPA Classifier
Tom breaks down the purpose of the Classifier stages and how they help gauge competitor skill levels, setting the stage for fair match play. - Scenario and Stage Creation
Learn how to design varied, challenging scenarios that test skills like accuracy, speed, decision-making, and tactical movement. - Using Props & Targets Effectively
Discover how to incorporate realistic props and a variety of target types to enhance immersion and skill assessment. - Safety Officer Roles & Responsibilities
Safety is paramount. Tom outlines clear roles for Safety Officers, ensuring matches run smoothly and without incident. - Scoring Methods Explained
IDPA’s unique scoring system balances speed and accuracy. Tom clarifies how to properly score stages to maintain fairness and competitive integrity. - Match Flow & Competitor Experience
Tips on match pacing, communication, and managing competitor expectations to foster a positive and enjoyable event.
About Tom Yost: Expertise You Can Trust
Tom Yost’s impact on the IDPA community is profound. His career spans decades of competitive shooting, professional consulting, and instructing. His deep understanding of the sport, combined with a passion for building better matches, makes this course an invaluable resource for both new and veteran match directors.
Recommended Tools for Match Setup and Maintenance
To support your IDPA course design efforts, certain tools and gear are essential for course construction and maintenance:
- Grace USA & Piece Steel SHORT Roll Spring Punch Set
Handy for quick firearm adjustments or repairs during matches, ensuring competitor guns function flawlessly. - Grace USA 12 pc Professional Steel Roll Pin Punch Set with Vinyl Pouch
Useful for more detailed maintenance tasks, allowing safety and reliability for all participants. - Grace USA 16 ounce Brass Hammer
Perfect for assembling or adjusting metal props and targets without damaging surfaces.
These tools help ensure both your firearms and match equipment remain in peak condition, supporting a safe and efficient event.
Other training DVD’s to look for –
- Make Ready to Survive: Firearm Selection
- Make Ready to Survive: Signaling for Rescue
- Make Ready to Survive: Suburban & City Environment
Why This Course is Essential for IDPA Match Directors
Designing an IDPA course requires not only technical knowledge but also an understanding of competitor psychology and safety culture. Tom Yost’s course equips you to:
- Create fair, challenging, and fun stages.
- Maintain strict safety standards.
- Implement scoring and timing effectively.
- Deliver an event that competitors will want to return to year after year.
Whether you’re running your first match or looking to elevate your event’s professionalism, this training delivers essential knowledge straight from a top expert.
