IDPA Stage Design & Cardboard Target Stage Designs

IDPA stage design is always focused on an array of self-defense scenarios and scenarios that would lead to action.  Many of these stage designs are made for law enforcement from local pd to the FBI.  The FBI has many stage designs that they use for training new recruits and for yearly testing of existing field agents.  If you have not had the chance to see one of these set ups in person, you probably have seen a few of them in popular movies.

Here are the key elements in an IDPA stage design.

1) Hostage Situations - Pop up targets with the bad guy holding the hostage are one of the core elements of these design scenes. 

2) Surprise - Late and close range pop up targets are designed to startle the test taker and throw off his or her aim.

3) Obstructed Targets - This is where only part of the targets body or head is showing.  Usually the gun is visible so that the test taker can id the target.