WHAT IS IPSC

International Practical Shooting Confederation

The Global Home of Dynamic Shooting Sports

Established in 1976, the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) is the worldwide governing body for practical shooting. The IPSC motto – Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas (Accuracy, Power, Speed)– captures the core challenges: mastering the unique blend of precision, power control, and speed required to excel in dynamic shooting.

Today, IPSC boasts over 1o5 member regions across the globe, making it one of the most widely practiced and constantly growing shooting sports.

The IPSC Challenge: Skill, Strategy, Adaptability

IPSC competitions are well known for their diverse and demanding "courses of fire." As a competitor, you'll face:

Multiple Targets: Engaging various targets from different positions and distances.
Dynamic Elements: Moving targets, reactive targets (like steel), and penalty targets (no-shoots).
Complex Stages: Courses featuring barricades and requiring movement.
Freedom of Strategy: You decide how best to navigate and shoot each stage.

These courses of fire test far more than marksmanship. Success demands quick thinking, effective planning and adaptability under pressure, and sharp problem-solving skills. Because every course of fire is unique, the challenge stays fresh and engaging.

Disciplines for Every Shooter

IPSC offers several exciting disciplines to match different preferences and skills:

Handgun: The classic and most widely practiced format. (including LBP and LBR for UKPSA members)
Rifle, PCC and Mini Rifle: Challenges precision and handling at varied distances.
Shotgun: Tests speed, power, and reloading under pressure.
Action Air: Uses airsoft platforms, requiring speed and agility -often ideal for training or locations with firearm restrictions.

Whether you're competing at a local club match or aiming for the world stage, IPSC provides structured competition for all levels.

The true value of an IPSC competition lies in the quality of the shooting challenge presented. Courses of fire are designed to test IPSC shooting skills – accuracy, power, and speed under time pressure.

Physical demands or gymnastics are not the focus- the sport is all inclusive.
While courses present varied difficulty, no specific shooting challenge or time limit can be challenged as "too hard."
Any non-shooting physical requirements (like navigating obstacles) are designed to reasonably accommodate shooters of different heights/ builds and physical abilities.

Learn More About IPSC

Ready to explore the world of IPSC practical shooting?
Visit the Official IPSC Website for comprehensive information:

Official IPSC Website.

UKPSA Affiliation

As the official GB regional affiliate of IPSC, the United Kingdom Practical Shooting Association (UKPSA) brings IPSC’s global standards and principles to Great Britain. Since its founding in 1977, the UKPSA has been committed to promoting, developing, and regulating practical shooting in Great Britain, ensuring that British shooters have access to world-class training, competitions, and opportunities to compete internationally.

Through this partnership with IPSC, the UKPSA ensures that practical shooting in Great Britain is held to the highest standards of safety, fairness, and excellence. UKPSA members benefit from standardised competition rules, access to international events, and a supportive community that connects enthusiasts both locally and globally. This alignment with IPSC allows the UKPSA to foster a safe, challenging, and rewarding environment for practical shooting enthusiasts across Great Britain.