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#Post#: 31--------------------------------------------------
Manage your targets
DIR By: allmanav
Date: January 30, 2020, 8:23 pm
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Target changes are a part of match life for ROs, but if the
wrong target is used during the change-out, it can have major
consequences. One wrong target can lead to squads needing to
reshoot the stage, or even a stage getting tossed. Let’s talk
about how to avoid this.
What do you need to watch for? Where do you start? First, make
sure that the base target is never removed. The base target is
the first target shot and new targets should match it and be
stapled directly on top of it. Make sure the target is witness
marked on the sticks, in case it comes loose and needs to be
re-stapled. It only takes a few minutes to witness mark the
sticks with an indelible marker.
Base target with target that is being swapped on top. Base USPSA
targets should have heads removed before new targets are placed
on top. You can see a witness mark on the stick on the left
side.
When hanging targets for a match, make sure any overlapping
targets or no-shoots are placed in a reproducible manner and
allow for easy target changes. Remember that ROs need to place
new targets behind no-shoots so staple them in a way that allows
for that, but also keeps the no-shoots in place. Is there a part
of the no-shoot where it touches the stick and the scoring
target does not? That is where you should secure the no-shoot to
the stick and then use minimal staples through the no-shoot
where the staples will need to be pulled to insert a new shoot
target. This allows for the ROs to pull a few staples, slip in
the new scoring target and staple things back in an easy and
reproducible manner.
The staples at the bottom of the no-shoots are only through the
no-shoot targets into the sticks and help keep the array
together while changing out targets. To add a new scoring target
on top of the base target, the ROs just need to pull the upper
staples through the no-shoots, slip in the new scoring target,
double-check the NS alignment and re-staple.
“Skunk” or
“Tux” hardcover target.
Also, if the base target has painted hardcover on it, make sure
the new target matches it exactly. It is no fun when you need to
reshoot half a squad because the new hardcover target had three
inches more hardcover, and less available A-zone, than the
original target that the other squads shot. A word of caution on
the pre-printed hardcover targets, especially the
skunk/zebra/tux targets; sometimes the hardcover is not
consistently printed and doesn’t go all the way to the A-zone
perforation. This is easily fixed with a strip or two of black
tape, but if you don’t fix it, you can’t tell shooters the
hardcover is “supposed to go to the perf.” Definitely fix the
target if you are using it for a classifier. If using it on a
non-classifier stage, as long all the targets used on the stage
throughout the whole match have the same hardcover pattern, you
are good. Also be aware that some target manufacturers place the
letter label for the scoring zones at different heights and
running a strip of tape that aligns with the crossbar of the ‘A’
might lead to different hardcover heights if multiple target
vendors are used in one match.
What about IPSC targets? Anything to specifically watch for
those? You may have noticed it is very hard to tell which side
is up on IPSC targets because they lack an upper A/C zone. As a
result, we have rule 2.1.8.4 that limits the angle at which IPSC
targets can be tilted. What happens when the base scoring IPSC
target was correct, but the new target was hung upside down and
a whole squad shot the stage? Yep, that squad gets a reshoot…and
the ROs get reminded which end is up on IPSC targets.
So, how do you avoid all this and keep your stage running
smoothly? The biggest thing is to pay attention and make sure
everything matches! Yes, ROs are often making target changes in
a hurry, but taking a couple extra minutes at that time (even if
it means the squad waits) is better than having to take an hour
to reshoot a whole squad. The CRO is usually reading the WSB
while the ROs change targets, which means that the CRO needs to
double-check the work of the ROs after the WSB is read. Double
checking target changes is just like checking to make sure the
stage is reset before starting the next shooter. It takes very
little time, but can save a ton of work.
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