Indiana has struggled to field a competitive State Service Rifle Team for the National Trophy Team match (NTT) over the last few years. We're taking a new approach. This year we were 24^th out of 53. Next year we're looking to be in the top 10! A lofty goal, I don't think so. Several things have come together to enable Indiana to field a highly competitive team. Formal training, a renewed interest in National Competition, a growing number of Indiana Service Rifle shooters who are producing top scores, and support of ISRPA are some of the key elements. In the last couple of years multiple Indiana service rifle shooters won state championships, have gone distinguished, and made the President's hundred. We're ready! Join us!

This year the state team shot the NTT and the National Trophy Infantry Match (NTIT). We had a great time, particularity in the NTIT, also known as the rattle battle. The match is pure excitement. It got everyone thinking about how to draw more service rifle shooters to the National Championships at Camp Perry, how to leverage the growing number of talented shooters to produce winning teams, and how to further develop the team aspect of the sport. More important is how to make it fun and exciting. We came up with the following plan to accomplish our goals.

• Reach out to as many clubs as possible to seek out committed shooters
• Maintain communication with interested shooters and clubs over the shooting season and off-season.
• Work with all interested shooters regardless of current skill level
• Provide opportunities for instruction and coaching
• Make sure everyone who wants to shoot has an opportunity to fire in a team event
• Plan for a highly competitive team and one or more development teams
• Identify several matches around the state as team events where we all try to attend and work with shooters interested in team events
• Incorporate clinic/coaching sessions with EIC or rattle battle matches

  To build a strong team program we defined the following roles and responsibilities so it would be clear how things would be run. We're starting the program early because we want to build camaraderie and provide everyone clear direction on how to be involved and what to expect. Roles and Responsibilities:

   

1. As an individual shooter, I will:
   1. Make a commitment to be a part of the team.
2. Commit to be at Camp Perry for the 2012 NTT match.
   1. Do my best to shoot matches and practices that are identified as team events. (NOTE: ATTENDANCE IS NOT MANDATORY).
   2. Report scores and the matches you shoot to the Team Captain and Team Coach - The final team assignments will be based on the weighted average of your matches. The weighting will be based on the range (100, 200, 300, 500, 600) it was shot on. ONLY SERVICE RIFLE SCORES COUNT. The assignments will be made no later than the third Monday in July so that everyone knows what they're doing and there is no last minute scramble. Some adjustments may be needed if major problems occur at Perry, but we really don't expect that to happen.
   3. Use the ammunition load assigned by the Team Captain and Team Coach - The firing of individual loads in a Team event is a recipe for disaster. A Coach is not able to adjust for changes if the ballistic characteristics are not compatible and consistent between all firing members. The Team Captain and Team Coach will make the final decision on the load used by firing members. This load shall also be used at all team oriented events.

       

   4. State Sponsor/Team Captain/Team Coach will:
   5. Schedule practices/clinics and identify matches as team events – This probably will include events at ORPA, Wildcat, Fort Wayne, and Atterbury matches.
   6. Hire pit pullers for Perry. No member of the team will be asked to pull pit duty unless we have a major catastrophe. The Team shall be as inclusive as possible.
   7. As a State Team, we want to attract people from all over the state and from as many clubs as possible. The Team Captain and Team Coach are willing to contact clubs and meet with club officials to help encourage shooters to participate.
   8. Attempt to provide an opportunity to everyone who wants to fire in a team sponsored event. What does this mean? Depending on participation we will field one or two NTT teams. Some participants, like coach or scorer may not be able to fire in the NTT. Those who don't fire in the NTT will have first choice of firing in the NTIT. The people who fire NTT will be expected to support the ones who didn't in the Infantry team match (NTIT).

       

   9. Team Building:
   10. As a Team, we will organize some opportunities to meet as a team. None of this is mandatory. The plan would be to identify matches that all members try to attend. In this way we can have an opportunity to see each other and help each other become better shooters.

The Team will establish opportunities for formal practices (NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR TEAM MEMBERSHIP).

If you're shooting service rifle matches, you're likely doing much of this already. By joining the team you can sign up with other team members at matches, become acquainted with more shooters, find people who are good where you have problems, and share your experience with teammates.

Members of the 2011 NTT Team are (L-R) Michael Toscos, Bob Winding, Phil McMillen, Eric Becker, Carl Johnson, Geoffrey Branson and Phil Beaver. Not available for the picture was Karl Ohliger.

Phillip McMillen has agreed to coach the team. Phil is a great coach and has a lot of knowledge to share. I know everyone on this year's team thought he did an outstanding job. There are already a number of shooters who have committed to be on the team. Several of us have been discussing the team events at recent matches at Wildcat, Camp Atterbury, and Fort Wayne. Come join us, become a better shooter, get to know more of your fellow shooters from around the state. Help us get in the top 10! Oh, I forgot to mention the cool T-Shirt you get at the NationalsJ.

If you're interested in participating in the 2012 NTT give me a call at 574-274-8386 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We'll be sending out additional information through the club email lists and ISRPA newsletter regarding events and additional contacts.