#87: Proposed Rule Changes

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk through the proposed rule changes dropped right before Christmas and my thoughts on whether each one is taking the sport is a positive or negative direction. To subscribe to the podcast, search “Short Course” in your podcast app, or add https://berryshooting.com/short-course.xml by URL.

#86: Overhauling Production

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, in light of the pending discussion of Production at the January in-person Board meeting, I present the outline of where I think Production and Carry Optics should go in light of the lack of a genuine stock gun division in USPSA and based on the apparent demand for a Limited Optics division.

#85: World Shoot XIX

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I give an update on my Area 6 Director run and the World Pistol Shootout rules, discuss shooting local matches in “Production 15”, and then talk about my thoughts on why USPSA should be doing more to help out shooters that qualify for the World Shoot teams.

#84: Reinventing USPSA?

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I use the ruleset for an outlaw major match as lens to examine the things that USPSA rules get right and wrong.

#83: Why Practical Shooting Matters

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk about five different ways that practical shooting can, does, and should play a larger role in society, and why it’s important to not lose sight of that as we talk about the nitty gritty of changing the organization.

#82: Values

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I provide some corrections and updates regarding the bans handed down last week, and then discuss the importance of understanding the values that underlie past decisions and the importance of evaluating if they still apply today. Links: – Pat Brown’s response letter to his suspension (slides 3 and 4)

#81: Final Bans Announced

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I review the outcome of the five members suspended back in July, and discuss the issues with how little has been disclosed about what they did to earn their respective punishments, as well as their limited ability to defend themselves from unknown charges.

#80: Chrono at the Carolina Classic 2022

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk about things that went well and lessons learned from running chrono and equipment check at the Carolina Classic this past year. For the email exchange I mention during the episode about random sampling of competitors and cheating, see this blog post. To subscribe the podcast, just search “Short Course” in your podcast app, or add https://berryshooting.com/short-course.xml by URL.

#78: Running for Area 6 Director

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk about my decision to run for Area 6 Director, and why I think it’s important that we stay and try to turn the existing organization around instead of quitting. As mentioned in the podcast, USPSA is requiring me to submit my nomination petition on their particular form, but they have previously allowed petitions that include pages with single signatures. I will have a paper petition with me at Sir Walter for the match this weekend, so if you’re coming to that match, you can sign it there. Otherwise, if you want to sign … Read More

#76: Tyler Turner on Participation vs Development

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I had Tyler Turner on to continue the discussion from last time about what the goals of the sport should be: shooters developing and getting better, or just more warm bodies in matches? Here is an automated transcript of our discussion: Ben: Tyler Turner. Welcome to Short Course. Tyler: Thank you. Thank you. I’m happy to be here. Ben: People who’ve listened to the previous episode, know that you are the one who kind of kicked off a discussion. And this was shortly after the vote to remove Mike Foley and the discussion started to … Read More

#75: Mason Lane on Participation vs Development

Ben BerryPodcast

This is a lightly-edited transcript of the episode. Welcome to Short Course, Episode 75 for September 22nd, 2021. I’m your host, Ben Berry. I know this podcast has been a little sparse recently. I’ve been taking all the content that normally would be these solo episodes and writing them up as blog posts, which has been a generally a good thing. It’s been working out. And I see that continuing. But as we’re in an interesting chapter for the sport, I thought it might be an interesting chance to take the podcast and turn it into something a little bit … Read More

#73: 2020 Carolina Classic, Part 2

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk about this year’s NC match from the staff perspective. I discuss everything that went well and is worth emulating, including the format of the shooting days, 5 minute walkthroughs, all-staff reset, and more.

#72: 2020 Carolina Classic, Part 1

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk about this year’s NC Section championship, focusing on my season leading up to the match and my performance during the match.

#71: Saying Nice Things About IDPA

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I say nice things about IDPA and discuss some things that I think they get right: things like simpler rules, more social culture, better range commands, and banning memory stages.

#70: SC Section 2020

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk about the recent 2020 South Carolina Section match. I discuss whether it’s better to leave stages in or throw them out, why three minute walkthroughs are still a bad idea, andhow I shot the match overall.

#69: Improving Local Matches

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk about the April 19th GoShoot USPSA match, and some things that I think they do differently that are worth emulating.

#68: No Such Thing As A Perfect Match

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk about the idea that there is no such thing as a perfect match. First, as a competitor: you’ll never have a match without flaws, and that’s fine. Second, as a match attendee: there will always be something imperfect about the match, and all you can do is let it go and shoot the challenge in front of you.

#67: Offseason

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk about shooting my first match in two months, and how moderate expectations led to a good performance. I also go into why I think an offseason isn’t that important early in your shooting career, and becomes more valuable the more you practice.

#66: 2019 Production Nationals

Ben BerryPodcast

This week on the podcast, I talk about the 2019 Production Nationals in Frostproof, Florida. I talk through my thoughts about the match compared to previous years, review my personal performance, and raise my two big concerns with the way Nationals are being run in recent years. Match video of all 21 stages is here.