I recently shot my first IDPA match and I decided to write a review on IDPA as a whole and whether it has any relevance to real life usage of a firearm.  As always I'm interested in feedback.  

Here's a link to the article and video from the match: https://gunpowdermeditation.com/2017/05/26/idpa-review/

IDPA is a game just as much as USPSA is a game (whether they admit it or not).

The perhaps ironic thing is that USPSA is the better suited game for the guy who wants to apply "real world" tactics or use a sport for training.

USPSA is freestyle.  Use cover how you see fit.  Retain your mags or don't.  No one cares.

As long as you're safe, do what floats your boat.

USPSA also allows AIWB carry.

OP, do you think it is not possible to compartmentalize and play a gun game without applying tactics?  Treat it as a purely technical exercise?

It's only fruitless if you insist on falsely conflating tactics/doctrine and competition.  

Competition is a test of technical ability, nothing more.  

If I were a gunfighter, I would want both a superior knowledge and ability to apply sound tactics AND superior technical skills.  

Tactics and skills are complementary, not mutually exclusive.

Short term.  Sure.

Over long periods of time?  No.  I believe they'll become habits, muscle memory will form, and under stress it will become a default action.

I don't have a problem with Mike Seeklander's footwork in the picture.  He is on two feet.  I've done force-on-force using similar technique (except further back from cover) and it is the quickest way to get your shot off and get back behind cover. I would have been shot on several occasions in force-on-force training if I stepped out from behind cover to get my shot(s) off... stepping out is just too slow to shoot and get back behind cover.  I like to minimize the opportunity my enemy has to see/hit me.

That said, I completely agree that balancing solely on 1 foot is absurd.  I see "Master" shooters doing the "gun ballerina" and want to revoke their man card right then and there.  I don't think that should be allowed in the rules.

Depends on who sets up the course.  I've shot plenty of IDPA courses where I did not crowd cover.  I agree completely that you should not crowd cover.  I agree that a lot of IDPA shooters, including Mike Seeklander in the picture, crowd cover.  Very bad habit to form.

Paul Howe has my greatest respect and admiration.  I own his book and used it to train soldiers.  That said I would respectfully say that there are occasions where I respectfully disagree with him.  You may want to look at Suarez's Close Range Gunfighting.  Suarez survived a gunfight by getting off the X and shooting on the move.  Jelly Bryce also survived one gunfight in a similar way:

article

IDPA is a competition and is definitely not real life.  It does allow shooters to practice with their gun & gear in a fun and safe way.  Serious competitors are "gamers" and will seek every advantage allowed by the rules.

Typically first time shooters aren't required to use concealment... so I don't know why they were so strict with this.  The IDPA rules are complicated and every stage has its own complications.  It can be annoying, but can also be really good training.  Because you have to be able to think and handle a gun safely and shoot at the same time.  That takes practice and IDPA is a great place to practice that.

That's the best mindset to have.  I'd rather win on the street than win bragging rights at a game.