Stumpy1
Gold $$ Contributor
That is a really honest answer, and much appreciated.
That said, I really do want know what the 'average' competitor wants to see at a match.
Lots of good answers so far, keep them coming!
Frank
What do YOU want in a Match?
- Thread starter Stumpy1
- Start date
That said, I really do want know what the 'average' competitor wants to see at a match.
Lots of good answers so far, keep them coming!
Frank
lawman29
Gold $$ Contributor
Of your list only #1 matters.
Not on your list:
Firing line. Room for other relays to have equipment positioned for when their turn comes, room between firing positions, access to firing line - adequate parking, how far from vehicle to line, terrain to line, room to traverse firing line. Does the firing line have a good base & level, is the firing line covered?
Water: Is there potable water or does the match supply ice chests with water.
"Toilets": Doesn't matter if outhouse, portable toilet or the real deal. Are they clean and stocked with "bespoke" toilet paper (I carry my own Charmin - extra soft & strong...) and enough to adequately service the number of participants.
Not on your list:
Firing line. Room for other relays to have equipment positioned for when their turn comes, room between firing positions, access to firing line - adequate parking, how far from vehicle to line, terrain to line, room to traverse firing line. Does the firing line have a good base & level, is the firing line covered?
Water: Is there potable water or does the match supply ice chests with water.
"Toilets": Doesn't matter if outhouse, portable toilet or the real deal. Are they clean and stocked with "bespoke" toilet paper (I carry my own Charmin - extra soft & strong...) and enough to adequately service the number of participants.
Bottom Fodder
Silver $$ Contributor
Prize/ vender table for us “also shot” none winners
D Coots
Silver $$ Contributor
Last year at a match somewhere they asked for "able bodied people " to help move the targets and backers to 200 yards. There was no overabundance of help. I saw one Old Basturd out there that was 77 years old helping that got a new shoulder a few months later.............. 
It's nice to think of what you want, but talk is cheap. Be part of what it takes to make the change you want happen. The work. Dreams are nice. The guys running the show aren't looking for a place to invest the money they are making from running the event...............
It's nice to think of what you want, but talk is cheap. Be part of what it takes to make the change you want happen. The work. Dreams are nice. The guys running the show aren't looking for a place to invest the money they are making from running the event...............
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Greg@wfcustom
Gold $$ Contributor
You are welcome at one of our matches anytime!
D Coots
Silver $$ Contributor
Ha, be careful Greg..... 
Bottom line is, appreciate all the hard work the people put in to run the matches, only to receive criticism and many ideas, instead of a Thank You. The job they do behind the scenes is immense. Answering questions, getting equipment ready, help(damn) and many other things, like listening to Some folks bitch.
BTW...I have never run a match, and probably never will. Have I complained. Yup....
Bottom line is, appreciate all the hard work the people put in to run the matches, only to receive criticism and many ideas, instead of a Thank You. The job they do behind the scenes is immense. Answering questions, getting equipment ready, help(damn) and many other things, like listening to Some folks bitch.
BTW...I have never run a match, and probably never will. Have I complained. Yup....
Greg@wfcustom
Gold $$ Contributor
To Daves point,Last year at a match somewhere they asked for "abled bodied people " to help move the targets and backers to 200 yards. There was no overabundance of help. I saw one Old Basturd out there that was 77 years old helping that got a new shoulder a few months later..............
It's nice to think of what you want, but talk is cheap. Be part of what it takes to make the change you want happen. The work. Dreams are nice. The guys running the show aren't looking for a place to invest the money they are making from running the event...............
If you have never been involved in running/helping run matches you have no idea the time, effort and financial outlay (usually reimbursed depending on proceeds) involved in running matches.
Constructive advice is always welcome, but needs to come with solutions, or a "we will be there at the next work party to help get it done"
We have a pretty good group out here at Sac Valley, and even those that can't help for whatever reason will usually take the time to thank the Match Director and other people who do help, and I take the time to point those people out during the Award presentations.
But if you are just a WLB you need to find somewhere else to shoot.
JMHO,
G
My apologies to the OP if I ran this off the rails.
It sounds like he really wants to provide a good Match environment for the shooters!
If you’re running NRA Regional matches there are standard formats for all. XTC, Prone Long Range, Mid range Palma and Fullbore. Practice day is nice with a possible team match or one in the program. This works for F Class as well except for the XTC. Those matches are registered and following the standard format is probably best as that’s what most are used to. You could most likely set up any format you wanted and run it as Registered. All of the other stuff mentioned in the OP is icing and will usually help the draw.
Walt Krafft
Gold $$ Contributor
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
While not intermediate or long range, I will be the Match Director for the Tomball Gun Club NBRSA 100/200 yard Varmint for Score Matches this year.
We cannot use E targets, so a good target crew is mandatory. They get paid.
I will have a local Bar B Q place come at 10:00AM to take orders for lunch.
We have two porta cans suitable for handicap. They will be clean.
We still draw for benches out of a can, with a 10 bench rotation between 100 and 200 yards.
Appoint referees that know what they are doing.
Have an official scorer that knows how to score targets, especially if a reticle has to be used.
If you are weighing rifles, have a certified weight on hand.
The only prize I have to give away is a new Bartlien 30 caliber 1-17 HV blank. I have not decided just yet how to give it away.
Make sure every competitor knows that these are Registered Matches and there is zero tolerance for any violation of NBRSA rules and protocol.
Instill in every competitor that they will respect the Tomball Gun Club and will be expected to behave like an adult at all times.
We cannot use E targets, so a good target crew is mandatory. They get paid.
I will have a local Bar B Q place come at 10:00AM to take orders for lunch.
We have two porta cans suitable for handicap. They will be clean.
We still draw for benches out of a can, with a 10 bench rotation between 100 and 200 yards.
Appoint referees that know what they are doing.
Have an official scorer that knows how to score targets, especially if a reticle has to be used.
If you are weighing rifles, have a certified weight on hand.
The only prize I have to give away is a new Bartlien 30 caliber 1-17 HV blank. I have not decided just yet how to give it away.
Make sure every competitor knows that these are Registered Matches and there is zero tolerance for any violation of NBRSA rules and protocol.
Instill in every competitor that they will respect the Tomball Gun Club and will be expected to behave like an adult at all times.
323
Silver $$ Contributor
That’s the MD fault the match in Idaho I referenced all sling shooters shoot on the same relay. Our matches for the 600yd matches we put sling shooters on target 10-13 and f class 14 and on. We tell shooters to be respectful and quiet ie take conversation back to the ready line. Our 1k yd matches we never rush the sling shooter matter of fact we like it when they take their time. Our barrels are cooling and we get to bs. So if you ever make it to Alaska to shoot you will never have to worry about it.
mtncwru
Gold $$ Contributor
Smooth, fun (and I'll add safe) experience (#1) is far and away the thing I look for the most, especially if it's not local. Clear communication, clean restrooms, and a well-organized, on-schedule match experience is the most important thing to me. I do this for fun and relaxation, and
Meals (#5) are a very welcome thing, especially if it's an all-day match that I'm traveling for. Even just convincing a food truck to come hang out behind the line at lunch time is a huge help if I'm not sleeping at home each night.
Reasonable match fees (#8) are great, but I'll add that my emphasis here is on "reasonable" and not "Bargain basement". Sometimes the cheapest way to pay for something is with money, especially when it comes to smoothly running a match. Porta-Johns cost money. Catering ain't free. And even a few paid/fed staffers can make a WORLD of difference when it comes time to run the show.
Everything else on your list is certainly not a bad thing by any means, but they don't really determine whether I go to a match.
I'll add: a clearly communicated schedule, posted well in advance, with an easy to find signup process. Start time, anticipated end time, and all somewhere I can easily find it online. Between work and kids, my time for matches is limited, and if I have to travel for it then I have to request vacation well in advance. Being able to find those details goes a long way to convincing me to burn travel time on an event.
Counterpoint: it's REALLY nice to have the option for a half-day match, especially if it's a local low-key affair. Makes it a whole lot easier to get some competitive trigger time in when I can be home with my family in time for lunch. Same for Sundays at bigger matches: wrapping up early enough that I can get home that night is greatly appreciated since it means one less night that I have to figure out lodging.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
On the highpower side at Sac on range 12, we got a new MD this year who has been diligent, innovative and present to all shooters. Unfortunately I do not have the time or resources to offer up time for volunteering, however I do network a lot to try and recruit new shooters. Have got a few to become regulars, and when my professional world aligns with the shooting world I can and do donate materials for the betterment of the range.
What I can and do offer, when I am shooting a match, about half the time I get handed the walkie talkie and run the line if needed on that relay. That's something I think every shooter should do and learn to be good at just to see what a small part of being a MD is all about. Maybe volunteer to make or bring lunch one day. Show up early to help set targets or flags. Stay late to take them down. Rake the gravel. Coach a new shooter. Invite a new shooter. Participation goes a long ways to keeping a program running.
For a MD, posting scores and acknowledging shooters is always received well. Got only 1 junior shooter, better to give a High Junior award. Fun awards like first leather, wooden nickel, cold bore sighter, crayons for military vets, just take a few minutes to find the fun in each relay and recognize it. Of course, club matches may have an easier time for this as often it is a known audience, but good club matches will have people driving farther for that than you may think, which will get a lot of them all traveling to the same big matches and improve attendance regionally.
JeTarget
Gold $$ Contributor
First and foremost I like competition. I like going to a range and knowing that I’m going to have to shoot
my best to place well. That means matches well attended by skilled shooters. Aside from the competition the people we shoot with are the most important part of the weekend. A good, welcoming and helpful group of shooters makes a great match. One poorly placed asshole can really ruin a weekend.
As was mentioned above, a well run match that’s over before noon is great if you have to go home to load for the next day, but it’s hard to justify driving 5 hours round trip to shoot for 4. I would gladly shoot a 5x1000 on Saturday and a 3x1000 on Sunday just to spend more time on the range. As a sling shooter changing yard lines in matches is a lot of fun, but it can be hard on the Fclass crowd with all of the gear.
A well run match is worth a long trip to me, a poorly run match I won’t go back to even if it’s close.
Low match fees are nice, but high payouts offset higher match fees. So it’s a toss up.
my best to place well. That means matches well attended by skilled shooters. Aside from the competition the people we shoot with are the most important part of the weekend. A good, welcoming and helpful group of shooters makes a great match. One poorly placed asshole can really ruin a weekend.
As was mentioned above, a well run match that’s over before noon is great if you have to go home to load for the next day, but it’s hard to justify driving 5 hours round trip to shoot for 4. I would gladly shoot a 5x1000 on Saturday and a 3x1000 on Sunday just to spend more time on the range. As a sling shooter changing yard lines in matches is a lot of fun, but it can be hard on the Fclass crowd with all of the gear.
A well run match is worth a long trip to me, a poorly run match I won’t go back to even if it’s close.
Low match fees are nice, but high payouts offset higher match fees. So it’s a toss up.
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