LdF Top Left Site Graphic LdF Top Right Site Graphic USPSA Logo
Linea de
Fuego Section
Pala Practical Shooters • Reservation Shooting Club
Add us to your calendar     Add us to your address book     Follow us on Facebook    

Stage Setter Guidelines

LDF has adopted Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for all matches. Stage setters are expected to conform to these procedures.

Before the match

The stage setter shall design and construct a stage for the match that is within the round count assigned to that stage. All stages must be free style in design (NO BOX to BOX) and include at least one of the following: multiple steel targets and or moving targets (swinger, clamshell, drop turner, etc.). Building the stage includes setting targets, making sure targets are taped and steel is painted.

The stage setter must provide a written course description with stage diagram at least one week before the start of the match for review. Alternatively, the stage setter may elect to use a pre-approved stage design that also includes a written stage description. If a stage setter uses a pre-designed stage, they should contact John Woolfrey or Mike Sueda to discuss the stage plan and review the set up prior to the match.

Check List

  • Targets must have no shoot throughs. Make sure multiple targets cannot be shot with a single round. The bullet must not hit any other props, walls, or target stands. You may need to move extra target stands from the berms to avoid damage.
  • Make sure bullet ricochet will not hit any other target or props or go over the berm. Most bullets shot at targets low to the ground will bounce up and hit walls, other targets or fly over the berm. If a bullet can bounce up and hit a wall then stack two barrels in front of the wall. If over a berm into another bay then put either tires or barrels behind the target. Targets that go next to berms or down range are safe.
  • If shooter must stand at the edge of the shooting area and shoot around a wall or corner then nail target sticks into the ground in that area to indicate the shooting boundary. This is to ensure shooter will be aware that his/her foot is out of bounds and a valid procedural penalty can be given.
  • Write a stage description indicating starting position and location & state of gun. Stage description should include the number of paper and steel targets as well as indication that steel must fall to score and that walls go from ground to infinity and whether or not fences or other props are considered solid walls. If not indicated that fences or other props are considered solid walls then it can be shot through.
  • If target stands have protective "V" angle iron on one side then face that side of the stand toward the shooter.
  • If a round is to pass within 1 foot of a wall or if a paper target is next to a wall, staple / fasten a no-shoot target either on the wall or between the wall and the target using another target stand. If it is believed shooters may shoot through a port at a distance then also put no-shoots around the port. This is to prevent wall damage. If you think it is possible a prop could get shot then it will. The only way to reduce the chances of this are to make shooters cautious with surrounding no-shoot targets.
  • If the stage setter / designer does not want a target shot from a particular area then put a wall, barrel or no-shoot target in a position to make the target not visible from that particular shooting area.
  • Paint all your steel targets with a fresh coat of white paint. When setting stand-up target plates, leave at least one extra plate on the bay. This is in case the base cracks off the plate the shooters can use the spare plate.
  • Make sure there is a roll of white, black and brown tape and can of white spray paint (if you have steel) on each stage as well as a bucket, brass net and pickup tool (for collecting brass) as well as a stapler and hammer. The stapler and hammer are for shooters to repair targets if they need to be refastened.
  • If you are overlaping two paper targets on top of each other you need to make the boundary between both clearly visible. This can be done by either sandwiching in a no-shoot target between the two stacked targets, making it visible between the two or you can put a strip of black tape on the bottom target behind the edge of the top target.
  • At certain times there is a significant amount of wind that blows across the bays.  Target stands will need to be secured with stakes or weights to keep them from changing positions or blowing over. Walls will also need to be secured with stakes to prevent them from blowing over.

The stage setter who sets the classifier stage should assist the other stage setters after the classifier has been set up.

Once the stage is set, it must be reviewed and approved by the Match Director. The match director must examine the stage and look for issues of shoot throughs, possible range equipment malfunctions, and safety issues. If the Match Director has any concerns, it is the stage setter’s responsibility to address those concerns by redesigning the stage as necessary. Once changes have been made, the Match Director must be called upon again to review the changes.

The stage setter shall provide a written stage description and stage diagram that details the starting position (for example, start in box A, hands on X’s), stage of the firearm (for example, gun loaded and holstered), and any engagement rules that accompany a stage (for example, shoot T1- T2 ‐T3 from port A). The course design will include the target location, target numbers and any required shooting positions. The description should also include total number of targets and overall round count (for example, 10 targets, 6 steel, 26 rounds total.

During the match

The stage setter may be called upon for clarification on the stage rules, or concerns brought up by shooters by the Match Director. Usually this will happen when the first squad shoots the stage, but the setter should be prepared to answer questions regarding the stage during the match.

After the match

Stage setter will assist in the tearing down of ALL STAGES, loading the trailer, and stowing away the props after the match. If a stage setter must leave for any reason, they are required to notify the match director of their replacement. The replacement is required to tear down your stage at the end of the match. Tear down includes:

  • Removal of targets from their stands and separating targets from sticks. All of these materials should be piled within the bay for pick up. Unusable paper targets and sticks should be placed aside for disposal.
  • Moving tripod steel targets to the front of the bay and locking them.
  • Placing barricades within the bay for pick up.
  • Moving the target stands to the berms.
  • Picking up remaining brass, hulls and trash on the bay.
  • NO ONE will function fire, zero or otherwise shoot until the match is complete and all props and equipment are put away. (Match Director's approval required).

It is the setter’s responsibility to make sure all the materials make it back onto the tractor trailer at the end of the match.

Only after all materials are cleaned off the range and the tractor is stored will setters be finished with their duties.

Compensation

The stage setters will be compensated based on the net revenue from the match. The net profit will be split between the club (Linea De Fuego) and the stage setters 50:50. Each stage setter will receive monetary compensation at the following match for setting the previous match.