Appealing USPSA classification

[pacmule]

[Rez805]

It's hard to say if an "upward" appeal will be granted. Strangely, when I was in C or B there was a 94 that ended up counting. Not sure how it got through but it did result in me getting bumped.

Classifications can be frustrating. I'm stuck at 83 and have bombed the last 3 classifiers--Covid was like off-season part 2: electric boogaloo. I didn't sweat it since my match performance at the Roadrunner this past weekend was, in my opinion, a better indicator of what I'm capable of. Oh and yes, I did bomb the classifier that was at the match. And yes that did drop me off of the podium (assuming that I would have laid down an A-Class run and nothing else changed...so many little things went wrong).

Keep your head up. You're getting better and that's what really counts.

[rodralig]

I am a USPSA “C” class shooter. My USPSA percentage is 48%. I am getting better. We shot an all classifier match, I got 2 57% scores and an 80%. The 80% was not counted due to being 2 classes above mine.
If I appeal it what are my chances they will count it? By my calculations I would still be a C shooter but in mid 50’s.

What were your other scores for the classifier match?

I don't think that 80% was NOT counted because it was 2 classes above yours...

It was because your current High PCT is 48%. To quote,

Scores that are more than 15 percent above the member's classification bracket may be given an "A" flag and not used for classifications. Reasons for assigning an "A" flag include seeing evidence that the stage was not set up or run correctly, or if all the member’s scores on file are significantly lower than the one being entered. For example, if a C-class shooter has no scores higher than 65 percent, it is likely that a 95 percent score will be flagged with an "A." This is done to prevent the member from being moved to a class higher than the member can reasonably be expected to perform. Should you have a score with this flag, there will be a link in the flag description to request that it be removed.

Now that you are mid-50s - and if you inch closer to within 15% of that 80% and still within the prior 8 scores, you will get the 80% counted.

Just my understanding of the classification system. I could be mistaken.

That said, don't worry about classifiers... It's match scores which people see!

_

[Rez805]

Oh by the way, if classing up is the sole objective at this point: you can pay to reshoot classifiers. People have done that before. It's a bit controversial, but I'm 99.9% sure that you can still do that.

[pacmule]

[USPSA GM]

Have you shot at any sanctioned State/Area/Nationals? If you have they will look at your overall percentages when they consider your request.

[pacmule]

[NorthBay Shooter]

You can appeal and if you have a reason why the classifier should count, they will grant it. When I was a C class shooter, I shot a A class score. At the time I was really pleased that my training was starting to make a difference. I was really bummed when it didn't count. I filled out the form saying that I crushed it, it was a good score and it was a result of taking classes and training. They agreed and the score counted. It did not move my classification until I shot another couple of B class scores, but when I did, it helped. BTW, it does take some time for them to review and change. One last thought, one score or changing class is not magic. If you are not winning in C class and you bump up before you are ready, you are going to get crushed. At bigger matches, most folks at the top of their class are much better than what they show on paper. That is why being a paper GM or just chasing a card, is never a good thing for your shooting. If you shoot the same classifier over and over until you get the score you want, not sure how that helps in the end.

[joelogic]

Not an appeal, a petition. USPSA's webpage has the directions. I think its a signed statement from the MD saying that score is correct.

[broadside]

If the match scores for that stage reflect the regular/expected distribution of hit factors by classification, then that should indicate that the stage was setup properly.

But as a mid level C shooter, i would not worry about it. Shoot more matches and get better.

I suck at the classifiers, I get into my own head and tank half of them. I am slowly climbing in B (61%, woot!) but my overall match scores are high B to low A (75-85%)

[SG29736]

I find a lot of times my best stage relative to everyone else at a local match will be the classifier. But because of many shooters doing the "hero or zero" when I check it later it's just a 55% or around there. I'm a B shooter in SS. I need to push my speed more but I seem to hold back finding it difficult to risk hitting several no shoots or hardcover.

[broadside]

I find a lot of times my best stage relative to everyone else at a local match will be the classifier. But because of many shooters doing the "hero or zero" when I check it later it's just a 55% or around there. I'm a B shooter in SS. I need to push my speed more but I seem to hold back finding it difficult to risk hitting several no shoots or hardcover.

Go fast, don't suck!

Seriously though, I started just going faster and trusting in myself. I need to work on shot calling but the time saved and decent hits has my scores way up.

[prc77]

Don't worry about your classification. Ask yourself this, do you shoot your match's like a B shooter.

[pacmule]

[Rez805]

Right on. It can be frustrating (I was stuck in C for a couple of years and got a whole bunch of "sandbagger" comments--gentle ribbing of course), but there's more to the game than just classifiers.

It also seems that there are a couple of strategies for classifiers for doing well:

Practice them (if you're keen on classing up. The diagrams are available and you could probably dryfire many of them with scaled targets if you don't have unrestricted access to your range)
Treat them like a "regular stage" (reduce the mental pressure)

At any rate: keep practicing, keep shooting matches, and keep asking questions and observing. You'll get to where to where you want to be eventually.