Practical Pistol Show 72- Rap Sesh with Kenny N

Published on August 19, 2015
Duration: 52:27

This episode features Ken Nelson, mastermind behind Practice Score, discussing his experiences running USPSA Nationals, the development of Practice Score, and the intricacies of competitive shooting event management. Nelson highlights the challenges of USPSA Nationals, including miscommunication and financial discrepancies, and details the evolution of Practice Score from a personal tool to a widely adopted scoring system. He also touches on innovative match formats like the Steel Open and the importance of shooter-centric operations in event planning.

Quick Summary

Ken Nelson, creator of Practice Score, discusses the complexities of running USPSA Nationals, including payment delays and miscommunications. He explains that Practice Score originated from a personal need for efficient scoring and has evolved into a comprehensive platform supporting over a dozen shooting disciplines, aiming to remain free for clubs and scorers through a volunteer-driven, open-source model.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and USPSA Nationals Discussion
  2. 01:50USPSA Nationals Payment Issues and Miscommunication
  3. 04:54Praise for the 2014 USPSA Nationals
  4. 05:09Resolving USPSA Nationals Financial Discrepancies
  5. 06:00Timeline of USPSA Nationals Payment
  6. 06:26Future of Running Nationals
  7. 07:07Stage Requirements and Predictability
  8. 09:20The Genesis of Practice Score
  9. 10:35Early Days of Practice Score Data Entry
  10. 11:23Transition to Digital Scoring with Practice Score
  11. 11:33Practice Score Becoming the Standard
  12. 12:00Practice Score Functionality Evolution
  13. 13:15The Challenge of Real-time Data Syncing
  14. 13:30Practice Score Data Privacy Concerns
  15. 14:40Practice Score's Unexpected Growth
  16. 15:13Sports Covered by Practice Score
  17. 15:29Practice Score Monetization (or lack thereof)
  18. 15:58Future of Practice Score Development
  19. 16:44Integration Possibilities with USPSA
  20. 20:25Long-Term Vision for Practice Score
  21. 21:14Sustainability of Practice Score
  22. 23:08Open-Source Model of Practice Score
  23. 24:07Future Funding Models for Practice Score
  24. 25:01USPSA's Interest in Developing Own Scoring System
  25. 26:37The 'Eat Your Own Dog Food' Principle in Practice Score
  26. 30:13Practice Score Web 2.0 Launch
  27. 30:58What Goes Into Running Nationals
  28. 32:42Most Labor-Intensive Part of Nationals: Stage Building
  29. 34:12Utilizing Inmate Labor for Match Construction
  30. 37:42Unexpected Challenges During Nationals (Flash Flood)
  31. 39:00Learning from Range Masters
  32. 40:37Cost of Running Nationals
  33. 40:45Profitability of Nationals
  34. 41:53The Importance of Squad Matrix in Match Planning
  35. 42:46Prioritizing Shooter Experience in Match Design
  36. 42:58Ken Nelson's Major Match Experience
  37. 43:28Preferred Shooting Disciplines (3-Gun)
  38. 44:01Social Aspect of Shooting
  39. 44:44The Steel Open Match Format
  40. 45:56Scoring System of the Steel Open
  41. 46:41Uniqueness of the Steel Open Format
  42. 47:25Match Revenue Allocation Strategy
  43. 47:51Future of Steel Open Matches
  44. 48:00Potential for Steel Open Format Adoption
  45. 49:00Practice Score's Role in Multi-Match Series
  46. 49:49Conclusion and Thanks
  47. 50:05Appreciation for Ben Stoeger's Contributions
  48. 51:11Mutual Appreciation and Shooter Development
  49. 51:39Focus on B-Class Shooters
  50. 52:10Final Advice for Shooters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Practice Score and how did it originate?

Practice Score is a popular scoring software for practical shooting competitions, developed by Ken Nelson. It originated out of necessity when his club's designated stats person had to withdraw, prompting Nelson to create a digital solution for match scoring.

What were the main challenges in running USPSA Nationals?

Running USPSA Nationals presented significant challenges, including miscommunication between organizers, changing requirements, and financial discrepancies. Ken Nelson noted a substantial delay in payment after the event due to a lack of formal contracts and evolving logistical needs.

How does Practice Score plan to sustain itself without charging users?

Practice Score operates on an open-source model, relying on volunteer contributions from shooters and programmers who have a vested interest in its functionality. The goal is to keep it free for clubs and scorers, with potential future support from sports organizations.

What is the 'Steel Open' match format?

The Steel Open is a unique match format that combines elements of Steel Challenge, USPSA, and Pro-Am shooting. It uses a percentage-based scoring system to determine an overall winner, testing shooters across different disciplines and skill sets.

What are the key features of Practice Score Web 2.0?

Practice Score Web 2.0 introduces a new, responsive results engine that adapts to various screen sizes, and an enhanced club system. This system provides clubs with dedicated webpages for match registration, results display, news, and member communication.

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