Sanctioned matches you attended. What did you like and what didn't?

[garner230]

The NC State Match was my second match.  The first was the 2009 Carolina Cup. I dont think I hated much of anything other than my sorry shooting at the state match.  I dont necessarliy like the long shots at over 20 or 25 yards but its all a game...im sure there is some fundamental marksmanship purpose for them so I will shoot at them 3 plus times to ensure a decent hit.  The shotgun start at the NC State match was ok...I thought it would be worse than it was as far as time was concerned but I was done at 2:30.  The Carolina Cup is a squadded match so it will take a bit longer but it has more stages and 300 or so shooters. 

You mentioned pasting...I dont think I have ever not pasted whether it was a club or sanctioned match.  I usually try to use my pasting time as a 'walk thru' of how im going to shoot it...just to get my game plan together...i just had my head in my rear at the state match worrying about the previous stages' points down...which lead to me to not concentrate on the current stage and ultimately cost me more points down...UGH!  Oh well, lesson learned on leaving the points lost at one and not lingering on it.

[Chris]

Pasting is a fine art... especially on complex stages at sanctioned matches. I normally like to shoot first in my squad... but at Blackwater, in the Shoot House... multiple rooms... multiple targets... you didn't get a significant look on the walk-through. Guess who wanted to be as far down in the shooting order as possible but was always first in line to paste for every shooter? Me... it gave me the necessary "repeat looks" to finish 1st EX SSR, and 2nd overall in SSR. As for simple stages... you're still part of the squad, you still need to do your share of pasting; even at a sanctioned match. When I'm running a squad I politely point out early that "THIS ISN'T AN AMUSEMENT PARK!!! EVERYBODY PARTICIPATES!!!. That's normally enough to keep things moving. If that doesn't work I turn Gail and Terri loose on them. Smart shooters heed my words, because you DON'T WANT those two on your case.
Chris Christian

[mistertaco]

I don't mind pasting at all. Just wondering.

The last couple at NC 2009 and SC 2010 had volunteers pasting nearly every stage.

I do understand the fine art of pasting, though. It does help.

[Miggy]

Pasting is one of those chores that will either make or break any match. If asked, please paste and set steel as necessary. Remember that you are not shooting alone but that another squad is probably right behind you. If you happen to catch a stage when the targets need to be changed, offer your assistance and follow the directions of the SOs. Always wait for the Score Keeper to finish his/her run and ask if the targets can be pasted.

As SO, you will hear me yell "Score 'em & Paste them! Set Steel" to the shooters just as a reminder not to sneak away and it gets tiresome after a while. One of the few times I was beaten to the task was when I had the pleasure of SOing the LFI team at the first Border Disorder; whenever a shooter was done, the whole team with Mas at the helm just leaped forward to paste. And to cap it, the LFI showed up to help tear down and put away the props. That is the way all teams should behave.

[tom]

So, I learned a great new bit of fun last night.  I am shooting indoor matches now on tuesday nights at great new range out here.  Anyhow, the group is still small and just getting started so last night was just two stages.  First stage 6 total targets, 3 positions.  Second stage, exactly the same only we turned all but the furthest back set of lights off so it was low-light.  Simple route and a total blast and very useful as a situation, eyes had to adapt (man some guys had flashy powder) sight pick up was different etc.  I got there late so I had to run the in the dark stage first and basically lights on or off it was all the same for me time/score wise ( need to improve shooting around the right side of barrels...left side cool, right I shoot too the left).

tom

[Chris]

Miggy,
The LFI team you SOed at the first Border Disorder ( 2005) is what is currently known as Team Pro Arms. Same folks, different name. I was on that squad (won SSR DC at the match... I was the geezer with the blond hair tucked under a faded blue 'Florida Sportsman' ballcap). We paste quickly, because when that is done we get to kill more cardboard.... we like to do that. Glad you enjoyed SOing us. Look forward to seeing you if you do a sanctioned match in your neck of the woods this year.
Chris Christian

[Kevin]

We paste quickly to keep Terri off of our butts...
-Kevin

[Chris]

Kevin,
You show uncommon intelligence in that regard.
Chris Christian

[Miggy]

Chris, We are trying to put together one at Frank Garcia's but we do not want to have it too close to the State Match either. It is slow going because of the distance and the previous engagements but we are going to have one even if I have to drag the props from Miami to Frostproof.

Now if I can convince my guys on the theme for the match'

"GUARANTEED TO GET AT LEAST 2 FTNs PER STAGE!" <evil laugh>

[Chris]

Miggy,
Frostproof beats the heck outa Miami....I spent much time in Frostproof. Frank has a very nice range. Does he still have the defunk helicopter? There are some nice motels/restaurants just down the road in Sebring. You can count me in, and likely the rest of Team Pro Arms... we love ROAD TRIPS!
Chris Christian

[Miggy]

This little thing? 



There is a fight going on for the dibs on that sucker

Aerial pics of Frank's place.

http://i40.tinypic.com/2zeasl5.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/18hezl.jpg

And the initial computer modeling to be used to help assisting clubs design their own Courses of Fire.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/TSSA%20Frostproof/frostproofmodel01.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/TSSA%20Frostproof/frostproofmodel02.jpg

There is a plan to do a road trip to check the place up with eyes of match organizers. And I am drooling already

[Chris]

Miggy,
That looks like the one. I see a "Blackhawk Down" stage. Since it's a sanctioned match, 18 rounds minimum count. Vickers.
Shooter starts seated in down range seat... cover garment required.. IDPA ammo holders in normal place on body. Nine targets at various distances to a maximum distance of 20 yards. (would be nice if one or more were swingers... and maybe one or two charging targets). At the buzzer... kill 'em all... without moving from the seat.
Chris Christian 

[Miggy]

You are in sync with the evil CoF designers. The chargers were used in the last State Match. We have plans to add sound (explosions, screaming crowds, shots), heat and the chopper tilted in 2 angles.... 

[Terri]

Miggy the main problem with some stages are they are all made by tall men. As Gail and I are smaller it becomes a problem. Standing on crates is not a solution. Had two stages at the Fla, Sunshine games that proved this point. The one they were very nice and worked it out for us. The other was the attitude it sucks to be you , as our time on that stage  would show.    And as Chris said we the ProArms team you So at the Border Disorder. Your stage with the female target with the large PONTOONS { as Gail would put it } was Great. Only she should have had a Pink Shirt.  Sorry to bring that up.                                                       TERRI   

[Miggy]

Terri makes a great point. We try to accommodate most of the time but we also forget that people come in all shapes and sizes. 3-5% of the population are lefties and the righties tend to crate CoFs that favor them, not on purpose. Also people with physical disabilities are not taken in consideration and you must be ready to change the CoF narrative to accommodate them. So our goal as CoF designers should be all-inclusive or at least make an effort to provide viable and safe options for other shooters.

Now, sometimes things do favor the vertically challenged.  Liz is right at 5' and most of the time she faces CoFs designed for taller people. In this case even though designed for regular folks, the CoF favored her and she was happy about it.

<a href="http://i237.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid237.photobucket.com/albums/ff16/TSSANET/markhamdecember07004.flv" target="_blank">http://i237.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid237.photobucket.com/albums/ff16/TSSANET/markhamdecember07004.flv</a>

PS: Shooting a Revolver is not a disability. Life is not revolver friendly. 

[Chris]

Miggy,
You're right. Life is not revolver friendly. I shoot one every now and then and have learned that. But... with that said...
COF designers should take into account that some people are more vertically challenged than others and that needs to be addressed when designing a course of fire. One does not have to "cater to midgets" ... but... when designing a COF you could use your lovely wife as a model in terms of what a shorter stature female (or junior male) shooter might be able to deal with in a safe manner. The female members of Team Pro Arms are about the same height, and if your lovely wife can negotiate the COF without external props, then it should be a GTO ( Good To Go) COF for any competitor.
Just a thought. But, should you fail to heed that advice you will not only have your lovely wife snapping at your butt... but Gail & Terri may team up with her. And... Gail does have that Glock bayonette in her bra.
Just a thought. I hope you can pull a sanctioned match together... Team Pro Arms would love to (and will) be there.
Just remember... the vertically challenged can hurt you if you mess with them.
Chris Christian

 
 

[Miggy]

Just remember... the vertically challenged can hurt you if you mess with them.

They are like the infamous Bouncing Betty mine.... They reach so high and shred your precious jewels

BTW, I did not make the distinction. The young lady in the video is not my wife but a fellow shooter. But they are the same height and nastiness. Sarah is more into doing the Ginsu stuff while I sleep or so I've been threatened.
Southern Women.... They are all smiles and sweet molasses right till they pull the trigger of the shotgun.

COF designers should take into account that some people are more vertically challenged than others and that needs to be addressed when designing a course of fire.

True. Give the shooter more than one way to address the problem.