Poorly Run Competitions

[TheBelly]

So, what to do if the competition is run poorly? What would YOU do?

theres a local match here that has pistol, carbine, and precision rifle as the weapon systems. During the precision rifle only stage, I noticed the following:

1. If other shooters, using their naked eye, are telling the RO that the shooter got a hit (on 400m steel), then maybe they did. The RO claims the hits are from other stages, but the other stages aren't shooting the same steel, are they? The RO was also the spotter. this required the shooter to tell the RO where they were going to shoot. Maybe use a separate spotters so the shooters can focus on the shooting and not trying to get the spotter on, which wastes time.


2. If there is going to be a par time, then that should be part of the brief, either at the stage or at the shooters meeting prior to the start. Finding out when the buzzer goes off is not the time to find out these things.


3. RO starting stages before the shooter is ready. More specifically, the shooter saying, "I have questions." And the RO starting the stage anyway. When the shooter asks questions, the RO just says, "You're eating into your time."

On the first stage I noticed:

4. Other shooters taping the targets before the scorer can make it around and before the shooter can review. When asked by other shooters why the taping started, the response was, "You got the hits, what does it matter?" It matters because people want to see where they hit. I certainly do.

On the third stage I noticed:

5. The ROs were messing with people's equipment in between shooters. While I was off taking a leak, the RO was handling and touching my carbine. I was told this by other shooters. When asked if it was true, the RO answered that he had and that it was no big deal. Stop finger-banging my rifle, clown!

after three stages, I asked to talk to the match director. He again told me about how much work goes into putting on this match and that it took several weeks to set up. Nowhere in there was he interested in helping the shooters figure out why the ROs are doing what they're doing. Oh, and Hosers matches at PWSA are more complicated than this to set up, so I wonder why he's crying about getting it set up. He had 13 people helping him.

Never again will I attend a match run by that frittata.

[rtr]

Sounds like quite a circus.

[TheBelly]

Several ROs and the MD decided that clown shoes were the footwear of the day.

[Delfuego]

You ready to move home Belly???

[TheBelly]

You ready to move home Belly???

Trying. Uncle Sugar says, "Not only NO, but....."

[Tim K]

Oh, quit your whining!

:)


Honestly, if they are that bad I'd start worrying about safety.

[Big Wall]

No. You can't have Hoser. He's ours.

[CHA-LEE]

We have well run matches here in Colorado due to all of the different clubs and competition between clubs trying to make their match better than the other guy. I have attended some pretty horribly run matches in my travels outside of Colorado. Every time I do I try to communicate my findings with the Match Director and thank the stars that those issues don't happen back home.

If you have already communicated your issues to the Match Director and it is falling on deaf ears, then all you can do is show your displeasure by not attending again. Voting with your feet seems to be the best idea in those kind of scenarios.

[MarkCO]

A clustermess might be okay once, but the second time it better get better. Three choices (IMHO), tell the MD (works sometimes), offer to be the MD/RM, run a competing match and do it right. In your situation, do #3 or find someone else who runs good matches down there.

With the number of people, especially in TX, that KNOW how to run a good match, running a bad one is probably an indication of a personality with other issues. I don't care who it is, I ask my customers, and staff for feedback...build on the good and fix the bad. No such thing as perfect, but it is worth trying to get closer every time.

[TheBelly]

I emailed the match director. We'll see what happens.

[CO-Exprs]

One of the areas where USPSA has done a great job is to standardize not only the rules but match etiquette and expectations in professionalism. People don't get to run the clock until someone is confident in their competence. I don't think I got to touch a score sheet for my first 6 months and I didn't run a timer for my entire first year. Unfortunately, in Multigun we don't have this level of standardization and with so few matches it can take several years for someone to become a good RO. I have been shooting 3 gun heavily for several years and am relied upon as an experienced RO, when in truth I feel as though I am just getting started and still have a lot to learn. In addition, multigun matches draw in a very diverse crowd, from seasoned competitors and operators to couch ninja, tacticool guys there to try out their new toys. I wasn't at the match in question, but it sounds like you fell victim to high expectations intersecting with inexperienced RO's. I am glad however that you took the time to mention the issues you saw. I will be directing my first match soon and the pressure to execute a properly run match is high. I will be very prepared for what I know, but I am chilled by the prospect of being ready for what I don't know.

[rondog]

I shoot by myself, more peaceful that way. I shoot to relieve stress and angst, not acquire more.

[skullybones]

I shoot by myself, more peaceful that way. I shoot to relieve stress and angst, not acquire more.

I wouldn't let one bad recount of a competition deter you from checking it out. There are some very professionally run competitions in the area.

[TheBelly]

I was nervous the first time I showed up to a competition. Hoser took care of me and made sure that everyone knew I was a new shooter. I took that as a good thing because everyone was able to help out... .and help out they did!

[thermobollocks]

A couple of those things I wouldn't worry about at a level one match. I used to have really strong opinions about taping targets behind the shooter, UNTIL I went to the 3gun matches in Raton where you don't shoot 4 stages in a day without resetting behind the shooter. Even USPSA has provisions for that, where you can have a delegate challenge a scoring call. I basically decided that the return:effort ratio was way too low.
Spotting rifle hits is kind of a pain in the nads. A designated spotter with at least Dick's Sporting Goods grade glass cuts down on questionable calls, however from a shooter's perspective, I have to yield the call to the RO, and from an RO's perspective, I'm doing the best I can, and while I'd like to improve, the shooter's attitude matters. I have no idea what the format was of the place you were at -- sometimes stages can be a lot tougher once people start shooting them than anyone could predict. On top of that, stuff like the MGM flashers, people will splatter the bolts allll the time, and if it doesn't wave the card, it's not a hit.
#2 is why I like to have at least a rudimentary WSB. Sometimes clubs can get really into their own special groove, and maybe not understand that there's some parts they _have_ to cover.
#3 and #5, the RO's being a dick, holy shit.

[Tim K]

I was nervous the first time I showed up to a competition. Hoser took care of me and made sure that everyone knew I was a new shooter. I took that as a good thing because everyone was able to help out... .and help out they did!

I tried to help. I only turned your windage dial one complete revolution when you weren't looking. I could have been an ass and turned it two revs.

[Zach O]

I was nervous the first time I showed up to a competition. Hoser took care of me and made sure that everyone knew I was a new shooter. I took that as a good thing because everyone was able to help out... .and help out they did!


I was very nervous. Tim K took me to a PD match in Pueblo. And I remember you were spotting hit's when I was shooting. When my string was up, you pulled me aside and told me where I was hitting and how I needed to adjust. Thanks for that. I tell everyone that story when they tell me they would like to try it. Everyone one was a huge help and made it just that much better!

[TheBelly]

My first prairie dog match, I planned on just observing. Sean had other ideas and said, "Here, use my spare gun and ammo." Then he gave me the ammo meant for his super fancy gun, which meant that he was out of that match. I promptly tried to give the whole kit back so he could finish up, but he refused.

i have always been humbled by the shooting community in CO, which is why I support as much as I can... Want to try a pair of socks? Here. Need a hand with setting up/tearing down? I'll stay late. Need a video about what 2nd focal plane really means in your optic? Done.

[quickdraw]

I have to ask, and I'm surprised nobody else has, what match was this so we can avoid it (sorry if I missed it somewhere)? TIA

[rondog]

I wouldn't let one bad recount of a competition deter you from checking it out. There are some very professionally run competitions in the area.

It's not that, I just prefer to shoot by myself. I go so rarely that I don't want to be constricted by rules and waiting, just want to do my thing. I'm not really into group activities of any kind, and really don't care for competition. Loner by nature, I reckon. I might go to a meet to watch sometime, but that's likely all I'd do is just watch.

[TheBelly]

I have to ask, and I'm surprised nobody else has, what match was this so we can avoid it (sorry if I missed it somewhere)? TIA

I'd like to give the match director time and occasion to fix what he determines needs fixing. I'm just one guy that wasn't excited about how it was run.

[Colorado_Outback]

It's not that, I just prefer to shoot by myself. I go so rarely that I don't want to be constricted by rules and waiting, just want to do my thing. I'm not really into group activities of any kind, and really don't care for competition. Loner by nature, I reckon. I might go to a meet to watch sometime, but that's likely all I'd do is just watch.

I share your sentiments.
We should go bang .30 carbines some time :)

[Irving]

It's not that, I just prefer to shoot by myself. I go so rarely that I don't want to be constricted by rules and waiting, just want to do my thing. I'm not really into group activities of any kind, and really don't care for competition. Loner by nature, I reckon. I might go to a meet to watch sometime, but that's likely all I'd do is just watch.

For what it's worth, you only feel pressure at the local IDPA matches if you want to feel it. ONE time I saw an a-hole.

[skullybones]

ONE time I saw an a-hole.

Dude, you need an accuracy clinic or something.[LOL]