The May Question of the Month asked: Which kind of coaching/assistance from fellow competitors or spectators is NOT supported by the rules at a local SCSA match? Let’s see the results and learn more!
This question basically asked everyone to dig into the SCSA rulebook and find the types of coaching that are allowed by the rules and then vote for the answer that is NOT listed in the rules. While it was close between the top two answers, “inserting magazine into firearm” is the correct answer. This action is not supported by the rules and in SCSA matches we expect competitors to be able to safely manipulate their firearms without assistance.
Let’s look at the other two answers and the rules that support them. For “calling misses” this is under 9.7.3: Coaching: For Level I (club matches) a competitor may request the scoring Range Officer, or other squad member other than the Range Officer running the timer, call misses during the course of fire. The competitor should notify the Range Officer prior to commencing the course of fire. Reshoots will not be given if a Range Officer or other squad member mistakenly calls a hit a miss or a miss a hit. Calling hits and/or misses is not permitted at Level II or higher events. At any level match, the range officer may assist or remind the competitor of stage requirements, magazine changes, etc. without penalty. Helping with chamber flags is encouraged in order to speed stage turnaround. No coaching by competitors is permitted outside of the stated allowances herein.
Calling misses is limited to Level I, or local level matches, as stated by this rule. And you will notice it can be the RO or another squad member. My 2 cents, have the competitor ask one person, RO or squad-mate, to make the calls. Don’t allow group miss calling.
“Loading ammo into magazines” is covered by 5.3.1: Should a competitor have less than 5 magazines any other competitor or spectator may reload magazines on behalf of the competitor completing the course of fire.
This is very common at local matches with new competitors who don’t have enough magazines. Having a person load ammo into mags while the competitor is shooting strings is allowed. But this rule is limited to ammo into magazines, not magazines into a firearm.
Good job on this Question of the Month and remember to vote in the current poll.