Well, yeah, sure…I suppose a USPSA match could make for a good date and if you both have a blast, then a wedding at the range can’t be far off? It has happened! But those types of dates aren’t what I want to discuss here. What I am talking about are the dates that we all have to keep in mind when considering the match calendar and scheduling major matches.
[Read more…] about Dates & USPSAIt’s a Start…
Lots of things we do in life require ongoing training to stay up-to-date with the latest tools, techniques, laws, etc. Everyone from folks in the medical field to auto mechanics to pilots and on and on all have to undergo some form of on-going training to receive updates to remain current. Part of that on-going training means staying up-to-date on our own while, often, another part is more formally scheduled as a refresher.
[Read more…] about It’s a Start…Last Shot…Now what?
It’s been a good match. The squads came and went smoothly, the weather was decent and the range food wasn’t terrible. Now it is Sunday afternoon and you just ran your last shooter on the last squad of the match. Now what? Why tear it down, pack it up and head home or to find a frosty beverage; that’s what! Whoa! Not so fast there!
[Read more…] about Last Shot…Now what?Beep!
Stand by! BEEP!
Whether it be the growl of the old speaker style timers or the modern piezo driven squeal, it all means the same thing; time for the fun to start! Or, for many of us, “Stage plan? What stage plan?” Regardless, it is the signal from the RO that it is your turn to draw/retrieve your firearm and get to shooting.
[Read more…] about Beep!Remembering Your Why
Sometimes it is important in life to stop and remember our “Why”. Why are we doing something; be that being involved in a hobby, a sport, or even as drastic as our job. Some call it soul searching, others have other terms for it. Regardless, it is often a good idea to break the repetitious cycle and really spend time determining why we are doing something.
[Read more…] about Remembering Your WhyWhat’s Your Line?
In USPSA we have two types of “lines” that we use to define boundaries on stages. Note that we differentiate between lines and other barriers like walls, barrels, and other physical barriers to movement. Lines are defined under 2.2.1 and subs as “Fault Lines” and “Off-Limits Lines”.
[Read more…] about What’s Your Line?O Range Master, my Range Master…
O Range Master! my Range Master! our fearful match is done,. The stage has weather’d every squad, the prize we sought is won… (With apologies to Walt Whitman.)
I suspect we all expect to see someone occupying the Range Master position at major matches because the rules require them and they are always there…right? But what about at your local matches? Is someone designated as the Range Master (RM) there? Do the rules require one? Do you take advantage of 7.3.1 and just have the MD be the RM? Or do you suddenly find yourself in need of an RM and go figure out who will do that task today?
[Read more…] about O Range Master, my Range Master…Plates: Just for Dinner?
Metal Plates (see Appendix B3) and things that use plates like various stars, racks and so on can be popular with stage designers and shooters alike so why don’t we see more of them in major matches? It’s simple: Range Equipment Failure (REF) and then the shooter gets to reshoot the stage costing the match schedule time maybe worse. A fellow RMI once told me that “The only use for a plate at a major match is to put food on.” He’s likely right.
[Read more…] about Plates: Just for Dinner?