Before the Match
Planning before the match is one of the most critical steps in delivering a smooth, efficient, and enjoyable event. Everything from how many stages you build to who shows up to reset targets hinges on the planning decisions made days or even weeks in advance.
This section helps you think through the core elements of planning: scale, time, stages, and staffing.
Define the Scale of Your Match
Start by defining the scope of your match based on what your range and schedule can realistically support.
Ask yourself:
- How many shooters are you expecting?
- How many bays are available to you?
- How much time do you have to run the match?
- How many staff and volunteers will be available?
These variables all work together. For example:
- If you expect 60 shooters and have 4 bays, you’ll likely run 4 stages and want to limit squads to 12 to 15 shooters.
- If you're hosting a weekday evening match, time is a constraint — plan for fewer stages or quicker designs to avoid shooting into the night.
Your match scale drives decisions like:
- Number and type of stages
- Squad size limits
- Staffing needs
- Equipment and prop requirements
Know Your Audience
Understanding who is attending your match will help shape your planning:
- Is this a match where most participants are new shooters? If so, simpler stages and additional staff oversight may be appropriate.
- Is your match attracting experienced competitors who expect more complex challenges and efficient flow?
- Do you have squads with older or slower-paced shooters? Be mindful of squad distribution and potential reset delays.
Knowing your audience also informs how you handle:
- New shooter orientation
- RO distribution
- Stage difficulty and movement demands
Choose the Right Stages
Once you understand your time and bay constraints, begin planning your stages:
- How many stages will fit your timeline?
- How long will each stage take to shoot and reset?
- What props are available, and do you have the staff to set them up?
Include a mix of stage types to help avoid bottlenecks. For example:
- A classifier or short speed shoot can balance out a complex field course
- Avoid stacking slow-reset stages next to each other
- Plan your stage order for consistent flow between squads
✅ See the Building Stages section for more guidance on designing stages that suit your match goals and prevent bottlenecks.
Avoiding Bottlenecks
Bottlenecks kill match flow and morale. When planning, avoid:
- Stacking multiple high-reset stages next to each other
- Designing complex stages without enough reset help
- Squads feeding into a single difficult stage at once
Strategies to improve flow:
- Place fast stages before slow ones to stagger arrival times
- Keep squads balanced in size and ability
- Design reset-friendly stages with clear assignments
Staffing the Match
Your match staff makes the event possible. It’s essential to plan your staffing needs based on the match size and complexity.
Roles to plan for:
- Match Director: Oversees all operations
- Range Master: Primary point of contact for rules and emergencies
- ROs: One per squad at minimum — ideally two
- Stats / Tablet Admin: Manages tablets, syncing, and score uploads
- Registration / Check-in Lead: Handles check-in, fees, and last-minute issues
- Stage Setup Crew: Builds and tears down stages, may not be the same as the RO crew
- New Shooter Liaison: (Optional) Assists first-time participants
For larger matches, consider scheduling setup days and securing volunteers in advance. Ensure your staff is distributed evenly across squads and stage setups to prevent overload.
Final Checklist
Before finalizing your match, confirm:
- Number of expected shooters and squads
- Number of stages and estimated round count
- Bay assignments and stage flow
- Staffing coverage per squad and per stage
- Setup and teardown plans
- Range constraints or time restrictions
- Equipment and prop availability
- Emergency procedures and contact roles
With the right planning before the match, your event will be positioned for success.