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My arm-board strategy for a field match, what do you use?

Diver160651

Who cares
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Feb 7, 2013
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    4,243
    La Honda
    Shooting field matches, I have noticed most people just write down their dope top to bottom or near to far. While I see notebooks, arm-boards, rifle-dope cards, and tripod clipboards, very few shooters create a hasty terrain map. If the FOF is narrow, maybe just a few targets on the stage or you're on the normal range you shoot, it is easy to remember the order. But what are you doing when you go to a match with lots of targets per stage, or where the MD created a shooting order that seems less than straight forward?

    We built up an enjoyable 1-day UKD field match, Avenal UKD Team Challenge 2020 with the above thought, and put at least one challenging stage were the targets where labeled clockwise, but you had to engage them in a specific order that was not near to far or clockwise. This single-stage had the highest point value and proved to be the lowest scored stage. The targets had the same generous MOA, but the lack of people using a hasty terrain map hurt most teams. With that in mind, I thought I'd share. Shooting a team match with the same dope is a no-brainer, but is not practical for everyone. With two different calibers, ranging each time with the dope tied to your PLRF, isn't as fruitful as one might think unless each partner ranged their own. For that reason sticking to a drop sheet or at least knowing your distance breaks tends to be faster.

    Anyway, here is what I use. I am wondering what other solutions you guys are using?

    Below is how I map on my arm-board. I use low-tack masking tape, and I dog-ear each sheet to create tear-offs like my old MX goggles revealing a fresh layer after the stage. I fold alternating corners and stager them so it looks like there are two, but there are more. You'll notice two drop numbers on my example; If it weren't a team-match, or on the same build, it would look cleaner.
    Unknown-3.jpeg


    Below is the top sheet peeled back, reveling more fresh leaves. Usually, you do not need more than 10 sheets in a day.
    Unknown-2.jpeg


    Below is how I manage both shooters dope (two different calibers), my partner's arm-board would look much the same. I can call out only my drop (not the range), and they can cross-reference fast. The orange numbers are the others shooters drop, mine in black.
    Unknown-1.jpeg
     
    Last edited:
    I shot my first prs match this past weekend and sure could have used an idea like this going into it as i had some issues picking up on some of the targets as well as some other stuff. Thanks for the idea. Will definitely give it a try down the road
     
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    I find myself dropping points for shooting targets out of order on complicated stages and often wondered how I could manage my dope better. This definitely helps. One question I have is why do you call out your dope instead of the range or your partners dope?
     
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    Reactions: Vaportrail22
    I basically do the same thing when needed. Mine is laid out as unique notes for each stage and normally map style to help my brain. I'm too lazy to draw up an example right now but I lay it out like I'm going to shoot it not as a top to bottom list. More like reading a map than going down a list.

    I use white duct tape and a sharpie. I don't like strapping on those wrist thingies, just some tape easy peasy!
     
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    Reactions: Diver160651
    I find myself dropping points for shooting targets out of order on complicated stages and often wondered how I could manage my dope better. This definitely helps. One question I have is why do you call out your dope instead of the range or your partners dope?

    Two reasons: One, so the team behind then still need to range. Two, it mostly saves a step and gets less messy on the arm-board when you go to shoot - I usually write my dope and call out theirs or the other way. Some stages seem great to have both shooters ranging at the same time, so no need to have both shooters getting the dope numbers on every target is redundant.

    atomic41 This is a more complicated example, hence the arm-board and drop chart with two shooters on dissimilar calibers. But at any match, I always have a drop/dope sheet.

    If I was just lazing for myself in a solo match, I might use the onboard dope from my PLRF or write down the distance.

    If you can understand what the heck I just tried to convey, you get a gold star!
     
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    Reactions: atomic41
    Got ya. I’ve haven’t shot a team match yet so that explanation puts it in perspective. Great info thanks
     
    If you can understand what the heck I just tried to convey, you get a gold star!

    ? I'm recovering from surgery and a bit foggy right now. I kinda get what you are saying but don't shoot team matches. I should have put that disclaimer in my post. Ugh, I need sleep.
     
    Diver,
    awesome info appreciate the input for match prep arm boards , I shot the first UKD and it was a blast I am signed up for this year as well . I remember that tree stage and the camo targets. Really appreciate the help on strategy for the other stages like map drawing and ranging techniques you mentioned In the fox hole .
    It helped out next few stage with hit percentage. And the 2 person flow .
    See you next UKD
    Adam
     
    I used to use masking tape, until it was 16* and the tape froze and it wouldn’t peel off the roll. Houston we have a problem...........
     
    I used to use masking tape, until it was 16* and the tape froze and it wouldn’t peel off the roll. Houston we have a problem...........

    While I have shot into the -temps and hunted in the single digits, I have not shot a match that cold.

    It is important to know that I make my tear-offs well before the match at home or in the hotel. I do not recall ever being to a match that didn't let us know how many stages we'd shoot per day. As such, I do not carry a roll of masking tape out in the field. Even though the arm-board does stay warmer on my arm than outside temps, I can see in extreme cold how it could be harder to manipulate. Just my thought and side note, in the extremely low temps, besides how irritating it is to have glasses, binos and PLRFs fogging; Electronics not working, sure are a bigger deal and to me, highlight the importance of always having a solid printed dope sheet.

    FWIW, I do have a velcro arm-bord I use if a heavy layering system is needed. But when I can, I prefer the ultra-cheap $9 one shown in the image above.
     
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    Reactions: 502Chevelle
    I do a similar thing, but I just use medical cloth tape across the back of my hand. When the stage is done, either I tear it off (exfoliate!), or I put another layer of tape over it for the next batch of data of a multi-day match (tearing the tape off every stage will leave your hand raw by the end of the second day...ask me how I know). :D
     
    Is
    Diver,
    awesome info appreciate the input for match prep arm boards , I shot the first UKD and it was a blast I am signed up for this year as well . I remember that tree stage and the camo targets. Really appreciate the help on strategy for the other stages like map drawing and ranging techniques you mentioned In the fox hole .
    It helped out next few stage with hit percentage. And the 2 person flow .
    See you next UKD
    Is this
    Diver,
    awesome info appreciate the input for match prep arm boards , I shot the first UKD and it was a blast I am signed up for this year as well . I remember that tree stage and the camo targets. Really appreciate the help on strategy for the other stages like map drawing and ranging techniques you mentioned In the fox hole .
    It helped out next few stage with hit percentage. And the 2 person flow .
    See you next UKD
    Adam
    Is this the adam that helped set targets at last avenal match
     
    I use the Rifles Only slap data card.

    For targets, I'll put the distance, elevation and a wind bracket for each target, and name them if they stage has named the targets (say targets 'A', 'B', 'C'...).

    I don't usually draw out a picture of the target arrangement, unless it's a complicated stage that may warrant it. The cards that come with the RO slap data card has an area for that exact purpose. I also love that I can "slap" it on my forearm, no straps or buckles to deal with it.

    I also mentally run through a stage in it's entirety through my head 2-3+ times before shooting it, looking downrange at each target if I have the ability to do so.
     
    For team matches I just draw a sketch of the terrain and target locations directly on my arm board with a grease pen when the complexity of the stage requires it. Grease pen works great rain or shine and just wipe it off before the next stage.
     
    For team matches I just draw a sketch of the terrain and target locations directly on my arm board with a grease pen when the complexity of the stage requires it. Grease pen works great rain or shine and just wipe it off before the next stage.
    Really, had really big issues in the rain and hated the on mountain clean up; epically after a couple of matches.

    can you post some pics?
     
    Great info all around right there