We need help with stage set-up. If only a couple people do it the stages will begin to get repetitive, besides it's not fair to have the same people do stage set-up every week. We'll gladly help you if you've never done it before (even though Joe's kinda scary lookin' he's really a nice guy!).

If you'd like to shoot a night for free and enjoy some of the other special privileges for a stage set-up, send Joe an e-mail to 'pinblasters at yahoo.com' with your name and date you'd like to set-up a stage. You need to contact Joe no later than the Wed. before the match. If you have signed up and are not able to make it to the range before 5:45 PM the stage is open to whoever would like to set up on a first come first serve basis.

1. Review chapters 2 & 3 of the USPSA Handgun Competition Rules

2. Have a detailed plan before you arrive to set up your stage

3. Know the number of paper targets, no-shoot targets, steel large/small pepper poppers and the number of walls, doors and tarps you'll need

All stages are to be reviewed by the Match Director (Joe Wilson) before anyone shoots it. Match Director has final say on what you need to change. He will be looking for things like: target shoot-throughs, potential wall strikes, potential safety issues (tripping problems, potential 180 problems). You must satisfy all of his issues before anyone shoots your stage. No arguments, no comments.

Only one shooter per stage will be allowed to shoot for free.

Tips for stage set up:

When you are setting up a stage it is very helpful to have something drawn up before arriving at the range. This will give you an idea of what props you may need, how many target stands and steel you will need as well as a rough idea of round count.

Ideas for stages can be pulled from other matches you may have been to or from stage diagrams you might have seen. Often you can use target arrays and stage layouts from different matches to create fun and interesting stages. Simply by adding some no shoot targets or targets with hard cover you can make them even more interesting. Try not to get too elaborate with the design as it can make for a slow reset of the stage and can cause scoring issues as well. A simple stage can be improved with some sort of mover target or some steel but at the same time a great stage can be over done with too many moving, flipping, flopping, swinging and turning targets.

As a level I match we have a little give in the rules as far as stage design when it comes to round count but remember to look for shoot through issues, potential 180 problems and make sure the shooter is far enough away from the steel (26 feet if using a fault line or 23 feet if using a physical barrier as per Rule 2.1.3). If you have any questions feel free to contact the match director.

Always remember, before the first shooter goes through your stage you need to have it approved by the match director to make sure there aren't any safety issues or rules violations. Please don't get upset if things need to be changed or moved around some to keep the stage safe. Also, please try to have a written stage description for your stage. If you need help with your stage briefing feel free to ask and I will help as best I can.

Most of all, have fun and stay safe.

Joe Wilson

Match Director

Web sites you can find stage diagrams at:

http://www.gunracer.com/sb_index.htm