I agree with you. Our goal is to have a safe match. On that particular stage it would not have been a DQ, because it was not unsafe. The stage descriptions were lacking and that's on me. It will get better.
I can completely understand your frustration, and I think it is something that we can all learn from. However, I hope you understand this statement is short-sided. There are many scenarios where a "floating 180" are necessary. Hillside uses them on the shotgun walk. I've been to many major matches where stage rules override match rules. They serve a very important purpose when used properly.I do not like the idea that 'stage rules can over rule match rules'. Either we have a 180 degree rule, or we don't.
I can completely understand your frustration, and I think it is something that we can all learn from. However, I hope you understand this statement is short-sided. There are many scenarios where a "floating 180" are necessary. Hillside uses them on the shotgun walk. I've been to many major matches where stage rules override match rules. They serve a very important purpose when used properly.
My point is that there are times when a stage rule will override match rules. I wasn't there so I cannot speak to the specifics at South Central, but I have seen matches at other ranges where it was clearly stated "do not fire at array A beyond Point B" even though Point B was well clear of the 180. Sometimes there are ricochet issues to take into account. Sometimes there are other issues at hand. But there is usually a reason, even if it may not be obvious."Floating 180" last the entire stage when there is a defined uprange/down range on things like the shotgun stages you speak of. There should never be a stage with a "real" 180 and a spray paint 180 just because.
I was DQ'ed on stage 6. RO said, STOP!. I stopped. He said, "You broke the 180." I looked at the target, looked over my shoulder, and said, "No, I didn't break the 180, but I am over that fault line." Not the RO's fault, it was in the stage description and he was just following that. I don't think a 2 ft white painted line on fresh white gravel is a sufficient fault line. Needs to at least be contrasting colors or better yet a board staked to the ground.
I'm not going to complain. A club running their very first three gun match, I expect there to be some growing pains and I did cross the fault line while reloading. Other than this spot and a couple of other questionable target placements, I thought the stages were well done.
I do not like the idea that 'stage rules can over rule match rules'. Either we have a 180 degree rule, or we don't. I didn't flag anyone with my muzzle, and I didn't do anything unsafe. But I wasn't going to throw a big **** fit over it. I had a new shooter there with me and took the opportunity to help him have a good first match experience.
Kevin's statement that "It will get better." is encouraging. I imagine tackling a club's first 3-gun match is going to expose some growing pains.
As long as arbitrary stage by stage safety rules don't become the rule of the day, I'm happy. It shouldn't be insurmountable to design stages where the 180 keeps everyone safe. There was one other stage where upon abandoning the shotgun led immediately to backing up to engage a pistol target. That shouldn't happen.