While the conditions of loaded firearms placed on a table as part of the start position are clearly spelled out in the rules, we often get emails asking if the safety has to be on. As a result, we wanted to see if the confusion on this subject was really as widespread as it seemed for the January Question of the Month.
[Read more…] about Setting the tableSearch Results for: Virginia Count
Finding Balance
Now and then, we get questions from folks asking if thus and such is “legal” in terms of stage design. Sometimes these things are a good idea and sometimes they are not. And occasionally, we roll out the “just because it might be legal doesn’t mean it’s a good idea” response.
[Read more…] about Finding Balance(Major) Match Etiquette and Techniques
Not all local matches are created equal. Each match has a certain historical personality and “style”. The Range Officers and shooters at those matches adjust their habits to fit the situation and all is relatively well, although perhaps not always particularly correct. Those habits, however, don’t always mesh well at a major match. Some of the differences deal with the correct application of the rules and some are simply good practice. Shooters and ROs going to their first major may be uncertain about what to expect. Let’s review some of the issues, both for staff and competitors.
[Read more…] about (Major) Match Etiquette and TechniquesSpeed Shoot Tips
As many course designers and match directors know, the Speed Shoot type of stage is useful for testing reloading and strong- or weak-hand skills in a fast, easily set up and defined course of fire. Rule number 1.2.2.3 sets the parameters for a speed shoot in detail, but it’s basically a course of fire of no more than 16 rounds, with a mandatory reload after 8 rounds, shot on two different arrays of targets. An array is defined as “a grouping of more than one target”. Arrays can be engaged in any order, as can targets within an array, and only one reload may be required. Competitors are free to reload if need be, however, as long as the mandatory reload is performed when required. Speed Shoots may be scored using either Comstock or Virginia count scoring.
[Read more…] about Speed Shoot TipsWhat’s My Line?
Many people understand the role of the range officer with the timer: to issue the range commands, to supervise and observe the competitor while they shoot the course of fire, to correctly and accurately score targets, and to ensure safety and procedural rules are followed at all times. But, what about the second, or third, or even fourth RO on a stage? What are they supposed to do? Most people understand that the second RO is typically considered the scorekeeper, and while the competitor is shooting, they watch the stage in general, look for foot faults, safety issues, and other procedural errors that may be made. The scorekeeper is also responsible for accurately recording the competitor’s score, whether that’s done on paper or electronically. The third Range Officer on a stage has responsibility for an even wider view of what’s happening while the stage is being shot, looking for faults, procedural errors and safety problems. Let’s look at each job and its responsibilities a little closer, though.
[Read more…] about What’s My Line?Double Jeopardy
No, this is not about a television game show. It concerns the application of penalties in a match. Although our sport is fundamentally a freestyle activity, and most stages allow the shooter to choose his/her shooting solution, some shooter actions are affected by stage procedures listed in the Written Stage Briefing.
[Read more…] about Double JeopardyHits per Target
Usually, all cardboard targets on a stage require the same number of scoring hits. There might be a rare Classifier stage that has a different number of required hits on a target or two, but can a stage designer do something different? The February Question of the Month asked: Can the WSB for a single COF specify a different number of hits to be scored for certain targets in the COF? e.g., The best one hit on T1, best two hits on T2, best 3 hits on T3, etc.
[Read more…] about Hits per TargetStandard Exercises and Speed Shoots
It seems like there is a dislike for Standard Exercises and Speed Shoots, both from competitors and stage designers. The competitors dislike them because they require following stage procedures, and failure to do so is heavily penalized. Stage designers shy away from them because there are so many rules about designing a legal course of fire. But in reality, these course types can be used to test very specific shooting skills and are great additions to matches if done properly.
[Read more…] about Standard Exercises and Speed Shoots