Youth Action Pistol League
The Youth Action Pistol Leage (“YAPL”) is planning to kickoff again at PSC! This time the format will be markedly different with the creation of true league training and competition. YAPL will be open to all kids between the ages of 12 and 18 years and parents do not have to be members of PSC
Purpose
The new Youth Action Pistol League was created to bring an entirely new approach to teaching young people ages 12 to 18 how to safely use and enjoy handguns. Our founder, Charles L. Cotton, describes YAPL as “bringing little league baseball to the shooting sports.” This is a very good analogy as YAPL operations are far more than competitive shooting matches. Major components of YAPL activities are the training/practice sessions designed to teach our Kids to shoot safely and efficiently.
YAPL matches provide the opportunity for our Kids to put this training to use in a competitive environment against people with similar skills. We level the playing field by using a system of handicaps, like golf and bowling. The league concept adds an element of comradery and responsibility to teammates to the mix.
Unlike little league baseball, everyone makes the team, because YAPL is for shooters of all skill levels and experience. Whether a seasoned competitor, or someone who has never fired a handgun before, you are welcome in YAPL. You will make many friends who are just like you in terms of their shooting experience. All of our coaches are experienced handgun shooters and all of our Trainers are experienced in action pistol matches like PSC’s own Outlaw Match, IDPA and USPSA matches. Combined they have the experience and knowledge to train kids of all skill levels and help them hone their handgun skills.
Eligibility
YAPL is open to all kids ages 12 through 18 years who do not have a criminal or juvenile history involving a violent crime, a crime that involves dealing in a controlled substances or other illegal drugs, and who is not and has never been a member of a criminal street gang.
Rule Philosophy
The single biggest complaint that competitive shooters express concerning almost every organized shooting sport is that “there are too many rules!” Unfortunately, rule books tend to get bigger over time. As issues arise, it is tempting to add another rule to the book, even when the issue is minor and/or infrequently experienced. As rule books grow in complexity, it becomes far more difficult to comply with their provisions. This results in shooters earning more procedural penalties or worse – simply walking away from the sport.
The YAPL Official rules take a unique approach in designing how YAPL events are to be organized and administered. We have very specific safety rules as well as other rules dealing with scoring, shooter classification and procedures. Where possible, guiding principles are preferred over bright line rules. Undoubtedly, additional rules will become necessary over time and they will be added to the YAPL Official Rule Book, but changes will be kept to an absolute minimum.
YAPL Volunteers
YAPL is far more than just a match, so our volunteers are indispensable. Just as little league baseball would not exist without coaches, assistant coaches and other volunteers, YAPL would not exist without dedicated people to serve in one or more volunteer capacities. The volunteer categories and the requirements for each are set out below.
Trainers
A Trainer is a person who not only is an experienced handgun shooter, but who also is experienced in action pistol style of matches. Such matches include PSC’s Outlaw Match, IDPA, and USPSA. He or she must be competing in one of those disciplines on a regular basis. Trainers are the primary trainers for all YAPL team members. Trainers develop and maintain the YAPL Training Syllabus used by all Coaches and Assistant Coaches.
Coach
A Coach is the primary person responsible for implementing the YAPL Training Syllabus for his/her team. He/she must have or obtain certification as an Outlaw Match Safety Officer (SO). Such training will be offered at no cost to all Coaches.
Assistant Coach
An Assistant Coach assists the Coach in all training and practice activities, as well as matches, and they have primary responsibility for communicating with their team members.
Staff
Staff volunteers assist with the logistics of YAPL events, including practice/training sessions and matches. They help to set up scenarios, make and maintain props and target systems, and deliver targets and related supplies to the teams during matches. Staff are not assigned to specific teams.
Parent Staff
Parents with kids participating in YAPL events may serve in any capacity, including Staff positions. If they wish to serve as a Coach or Assistant Coach, they must meet the requirements of those positions. Unlike non-parent Staff members, Parents serving as Staff can be assigned to their kid’s team where they will provide the support outlined in the Staff description in the preceding paragraph.
Training & Match Principles
YAPL training begins at the most basic level of firearms instruction. Kids are evaluated in terms of their experience and handgun skills when they join YAPL. Their Coaches and other Staff will help them develop proficiency in all aspects of safe firearms usage, should they need any additional help and/or training.
Competency using holster is of primary importance, so all kids will initially be classified as Trainees. Trainees will not use a holster during training or matches, except to carry their UNLOADED handgun. When each Member demonstrates to their Coaching staff, and his/her parents, that they can safely use a holster for training and competition, then they are moved from the Trainee Classification to one commensurate with their shooting ability, as demonstrated on the YAPL Classifier.
At least two training sessions will be offered monthly during the YAPL Season (September through April) and every Coach is required to attend to at least one with their team. If more than one session is offered by a Coach, team members can only be required to attend one session per month. Baseball and football require all team members to be present in order to field a team for a practice. This is not the situation with YAPL as only one team member is shooting at a time. This format for training/practice offers greater flexibility to both Coaches and team members. A Team’s Members can attend additional official training sessions at which their Coach is not present.
A YAPL match will be held on the first Saturday of each month during the League’s match season which is October through April with an awards banquet in May. (September is for pre-season activities and is required attendance.) Two Teams are paired and shoot through each pistol bay. The Team pairing will change for each monthly match. While each shooter will have his or her individual score, the team’s score will be a composite of its members’ individual scores plus/minus the team’s handicap for that month.
Targets and Scenarios
YAPL matches use RTS Reactive targets that fall when hit. (YAPL training may use RTS targets periodically.) They are arranged in the pistol bays with or without props in what is called a “scenario.” Each scenario is different which makes the training and matches more fun and interesting. It also helps kids to develop target identification skills so crucial to safe firearms training.
Due to the age of our Members, YAPL does not stress self-defense as a driving force behind our training and competitions. We want the kids to have fun and learn firearms safety. However, the safe and efficient gun-handling skills kids learn will serve them well in all types of shooting whether for hunting, sport shooting, competition, informal “plinking,” or in self-defense situations.
Information Seminar July 17th 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Those are the headline so register to attend the free seminar giving the detailed information about YAPL and your kids. You are not making a commitment to participate merely by attending, but you will have the opportunity to sign-up if you wish.
The seminar is free, but registration is required to prevent us from over-booking. Afterall, we aren't an airline! CKICK HERE to register.