It is a fact of life, everyone needs to perform certain bodily functions. In fact, if you aren’t having to perform one of them during the course of a match, it can be a bad sign. At a recent class, we ended up having a rather interesting discussion about this which has inspired this post. So let’s examine the finer points.
[Read more…] about When Nature CallsFree Advice
Preparing to Make Ready
I often go to matches and hear folks comment on how it takes 3-4 hours for only a few minutes of shooting. Yes, it’s true that SCSA and USPSA matches are half day events where the competitors spend very little time shooting. The time is spent on stage reset between competitors and socializing with squad mates. However, sometimes there is a lot of time wasted between competitors, especially at local matches which lack stage ROs to keep things moving. Let’s look at how you can be ready to Make Ready and keep your match flowing.
[Read more…] about Preparing to Make ReadyLocal DQ Policies
Now and then we get queries about “DQ Policies” that clubs or sections impose on competitors wherein if a competitor gets more than X DQs during Y period of time they are ineligible to participate in matches for Z period of time and/or they complete other requirements. Folks seem to have a couple questions about these so let’s dig in.
[Read more…] about Local DQ PoliciesWe are all on the same team
As major match season winds down, we are all sharing stories about things that have happened at matches. We hear talk about the stage designs, about the prize tables, about the food on the range, the tight races for the top competitors, things that happened at chronograph, and about match staff. It’s always appreciated when Match Directors and Range Masters get positive reviews and comments about match staff. But it is very frustrating when negative comments are brought up post-match and nothing was said during the match.
[Read more…] about We are all on the same teamTalking to Others about the Rules
We’ve all been there. A call is made at a match, or not made, and there is a query about if that is the right call, or non-call, and the response is “it’s just a local match”. I’m on my twentieth year in this sport and I’ve heard that response more times than I can count and, as an instructor, have fielded questions about how to handle it even more often. A lot of this directly relates to so called “club culture” which has also been referred to as the “Good Old Boys” syndrome. So let’s dig in a bit and talk about what does and does not work.
[Read more…] about Talking to Others about the RulesLead by example
Being a certified official and a competitor sometimes causes conflict. What if you are shooting a stage and do something you know should be a penalty or a disqualification but the RO doesn’t call it? What do you do? Do you keep quiet? Do you kindly educate the RO about the mistake and take the proper score?
[Read more…] about Lead by exampleThe rules are not just for ROs
Mondays are busy for NROI. There usually are multiple emails that start out with, “I shot a match this weekend and I am unsure the right call was made….” Sometimes the emails are from ROs who want to confirm they made the right call. But we also get a fair number of questions from competitors too.
[Read more…] about The rules are not just for ROsCoaching: The Good and the Bad
I cannot really think of a sport wherein a coach does not have a place and, indeed, is not a critical element to overall success. It is the rare individual who manages to achieve any reasonable level of performance entirely on their own. “Coaching” in USPSA/SCSA comes in many flavors, let’s review them.
[Read more…] about Coaching: The Good and the Bad