Scoring pulled targets in sling and f-class matches

[Matthew Schwartzkopf]

I think this needs to be said.

It has long been accepted through a "Gentlemen's Agreement" that if a target scored in the pits is perceived to be incorrectly marked as a different value that where the spotter is visibly located, if the scorekeeper and shooter agree on the value then the agreed upon value is placed on the scorecard and shooting continues. While yes this has been unofficially accepted as a process to deal with the situation, it is actually incorrect.

Over the past few years I have been seeing this take place, but it has become more and more abused. Such instances I have seen is where a shooter and scorekeeper call for a mark because they didn't see the target go down, and then the target comes up with a miss. In this situation the shooter and scorekeeper assumed they missed the target being pulled and because the previous score was an X the scorekeeper gave the shooter an X for that shot. Other instances have included the shooter and scorekeeper determine that the marked value of the shot was incorrect and gave a different value on the scorecard when the spotter was located close to a value line.

With more and more new shooters participating in the sport and seeing these situations happen they are believing that it is in fact the correct process, when in fact it is not. No where in the rule book does it say that the scorekeeper can change the score of the value marked by the pits. In fact according to 14.3.1 the scorekeeper is an official of the match, and in 14.16 "No erasures are allowed on score cards... When targets are scored in the pits, the recorded value of any shot will not be changed (except when re-disked or re-marked) unless some special message with reference to it is received by a Range Official from one of the Pit Officials."
This means that if the shooter and/or scorekeeper do not agree with the value of the shot marked by the pits the correct process is to challenge the value of the shot or ask a line official to call to the pits to have the target re-disked.

 

[Fast14riot]

This is good info, as a shooter I always try to confirm score with my score keeper or that they have acknowledged the target being marked, before moving on to next shot. I've seen it in silhouette, "ringers" marked as knock down.

Score keeping and target pulling are as important as shooting and not a time to relax. Focus must be on the task at hand.

 

[rardoin]

I understand your point, Matthew. It is tough to hold up when the shooter is rolling in a condition nailing the X ring, shoots a wide 10 (scored as such), followed by a pinwheel X...but the scoring paddle is still in the 10 position. When it is obvious, I just score the spotter and let the shooter roll. I know it is not the actual rule but it is a hard decision to have the shooter hold under those circumstances when we both know the challenge will overturn the score anyway. I admit, I am guilty of such an infraction.

 

[Twdmar]

Part of this can be alleviated by a slight change in how the puller moves the target. I got this tip from a shooter out of Montana, his suggestion when shots are landing on top of one another is to raise the target at half the speed, allowing shooter and scorer to see the target coming back up.
The scorer should also he paying attention instead or flapping their gums. Electronic targets are making people lazy.

 

[rardoin]

Part of this can be alleviated by a slight change in how the puller moves the target. I got this tip from a shooter out of Montana, his suggestion when shots are landing on top of one another is to raise the target at half the speed, allowing shooter and scorer to see the target coming back up.
The scorer should also he paying attention instead or flapping their gums. Electronic targets are making people lazy.

That should solve the issue if the scorer is in the least bit engaged. However, then you will hear cries of crappy pit service.

 

[Dkk37058]

When I shoot a F Class match I like the scorer to cal out the shots as I make them example X one on 10 two on X three on and so on this let’s me know he’s watching my shots and sees what I see

 

[prwhite]

To all the speedy shooters that don’t want any interruptions, the discipline is “slow fire prone”.

 

[Twdmar]

That should solve the issue if the scorer is in the least bit engaged. However, then you will hear cries of crappy pit service.

The shooter does need to ensure their scorer is remaining engaged. Usually by making sure the scorer calls out each shot in a manner they can hear.
Raising the target over an extra second or so doesn't add much time compared to looking for a "missed shot".

To all the speedy shooters that don’t want any interruptions, the discipline is “slow fire prone”.

The speedy shooters need to also prepare for the possibility that their puller is mr magoo and act accordingly. Sometimes you get great service, sometimes not. It's part of the game unfortunately.

 

[rardoin]

The shooter does need to ensure their scorer is remaining engaged. Usually by making sure the scorer calls out each shot in a manner they can hear.
Raising the target over an extra second or so doesn't add much time compared to looking for a "missed shot".

The speedy shooters need to also prepare for the possibility that their puller is mr magoo and act accordingly. Sometimes you get great service, sometimes not. It's part of the game unfortunately.

My response was ’tongue in cheek’.

 

[Twdmar]

My response was ’tongue in cheek’.

I know, hope i didnt come off like I had my knickers in a knot. Some shooters forget they are playing a game that let's all kinds of people participate, inexperienced, elderly etc and should try to have a method that can cope with it.

 

[Will Henry]

This is why I actually like shooting two to a target. There is no rush, there is no "running a condition". WH