Setting up day of match

[71Commander]

One of the clubs that I shoot at is going to try and get shooters to show up early and set up a stage before the match until all stages are set up.

 

There is usually 6 of us doing the set up. I don't see this as being successful. Is this a thing?

Edited May 11 by 71Commander

[Bhayden]

Many clubs that I shoot at do this successfully. Just make sure that the RM/MD walks them.

 

Some clubs comp the match fee for setup workers.

[71Commander]

Maybe I wasn't clear. They want 70 shooter or who ever shows up to start setting up the match an hour before the match starts.

[mmc45414]

Seems like if you expect everyone to do the setup you might have too big of a committee.  The multigun matches I shoot just as for who can volunteer on Practiscore.  One used to try and get people to come out the prior day, and I think it was a small number of people doing it and it taking all day.  Now they just have people show up at 08:00 for a 10:00 match and it works great, because they get more people.  I usually do not do it, because several of us carpool and that takes longer.  Plus I am old and my knees hurt plenty enough by the end of the day, but I might start doing it. 

[Joe4d]

Setup 8-9
registration 8-830
Hot 9
Then stick to it..  The best way to get folks to come late , is to reward those that come late.. STICK to the schedule...

FYI I went to a new club today to shoot SC... club looked Ike a dump/. 9 am 1 person there,,, setting up potmarked steel...  garbage everywhere.. I left and went to hardees..
 

[LordManHammer]

I’ll be there in Clarkston to help set up early.  

[shred]

5 hours ago, 71Commander said:

Maybe I wasn't clear. They want 70 shooter or who ever shows up to start setting up the match an hour before the match starts.

Divide-and-conquer.  For each stage, have somebody be a 'stage director' and responsible for getting just that one stage on the ground.  Hand them the stage diagram and send them a few helpers as they show up (provide them with supplies if possible).  Once their one stage is built and checked, they are done and can go do whatever they want until the match starts.  

 

Try to keep anyone not helping setup or done with a setup off the stages until they are complete.  No freerider walkthroughs while people hammer spikes.

[davidb72]

On 5/11/2024 at 8:17 PM, shred said:

Try to keep anyone not helping setup or done with a setup off the stages until they are complete.  No freerider walkthroughs while people hammer spikes.

Need to get some hammer drills and those driver bits for them. 

No reason to be swinging hammers now - it's almost 2025!

[shred]

Club has been using hammer drills for years now.  Still counts as "People hammering spikes" in my book and so still no freerider walkthroughs should be allowed.

 

 

 

[2MoreChains]

It very doable to setup day of the match. My club has been doing this for a while but it did take something of a culture change within the club.  

 

We used to advertise:  Setup @ 0800, Shooter’s meeting @ 0930 and the result was we’d get a bunch of people rolling in at 0915 or so.  

 

Now we just say the Match starts @ 0800 with the expectation that everyone shows up and helps set up at 0800 (a little earlier in the summer or a little later in the winter).  It can help to have somebody directing traffic to encourage the people who are just standing around to lend a hand. 

[Joe4d]

4 hours ago, 2MoreChains said:

It very doable to setup day of the match. My club has been doing this for a while but it did take something of a culture change within the club.  

 

We used to advertise:  Setup @ 0800, Shooter’s meeting @ 0930 and the result was we’d get a bunch of people rolling in at 0915 or so.  

 

Now we just say the Match starts @ 0800 with the expectation that everyone shows up and helps set up at 0800 (a little earlier in the summer or a little later in the winter).  It can help to have somebody directing traffic to encourage the people who are just standing around to lend a hand. 

well as long as someone is there prior to 8 with all the know how, where how, keys to what not, so that first person to arrive can start working.
Nothing worse than trying to do the right thing, show up to help , only to stand around with no direction,, or having to wait on the one guy with the keys, stage plans,, etc etc etc...who is NEVER on time.
Another issue is oneguyitis,,, where the MD just micro manages, or basically doesn tprovide any info,, runs around like chicken with head cut off, while help stands around no direction, or stops showing up at all. and then comes on Enos and complains about no help.
Yep seen both types,, 
In a nut shell, dont waste your helps time, or you soon wont have any

 

[2MoreChains]

1 hour ago, Joe4d said:

well as long as someone is there prior to 8 with all the know how, where how, keys to what not, so that first person to arrive can start working.
Nothing worse than trying to do the right thing, show up to help , only to stand around with no direction,, or having to wait on the one guy with the keys, stage plans,, etc etc etc...who is NEVER on time.
Another issue is oneguyitis,,, where the MD just micro manages, or basically doesn tprovide any info,, runs around like chicken with head cut off, while help stands around no direction, or stops showing up at all. and then comes on Enos and complains about no help.
Yep seen both types,, 
In a nut shell, dont waste your helps time, or you soon wont have any

 

 

Well duh, Capt Obvious.  Not our first rodeo.  And we get plenty of help.  

[Joe4d]

ud think,,  it would be obvious, but I seem to have run across more that dont get it than do.

 

[shred]

It is sadly common in my experience for the person that takes on the (admittedly somewhat crappy) job of MD to want to be involved in everything and not let go.

 

The faster you can get them some trusted lieutenants or convince them to let other people do their thing, whatever happens, the longer they'll last.

 

It's nearly universal that only a handful of people do the vast majority of the work at any club at any given time.  The trick is changing them out before they get totally burnt out.

 

[Buzzdraw]

Match morning setup is a "must" at my club.  Good CoF drawings, materials lists, quick dispersion of needed materials/tools to bays, appointing trusted assistants to set a given stage or two are essential to a smooth, low fuss setup.  The MD has to give the bay assistants a little latitude in how their stage is set, if possible (not SC Classifiers of course).  A little MD benign neglect, along with providing expertise when appropriate, go a ways to developing more and better stage crews.  We have individual "war wagons" for IDPA, Steel Challenge, and USPSA which are essential for smooth set up and tear down.  Also have suitable tow vehicles.

 

Individuals who volunteer in advance of the event to set up will get their match comped.  All are expected to assist the last 15-30 minutes of setup to finalize as necessary.  Good attitudes and expectations go a long way to successful programs.