Stage Writing Brevity

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

Cowboy stage writing brevity came into widespread use about 10 - 15 years ago.

 

It started out with,

"Stop writing stories - no one cares and it takes too long."

And while I think the loss of this part of the game has diminished the experience - perhaps there was some credence to the criticism.

 

But then it became,

we already have stage conventions; we don't need to direct the shooter to do (or not do) certain things - it's understood.

 

And today we find ourselves taking shortcuts, using shorthand and terms, "At the ready", "In hand(s)" that have zero meaning to a new or casual shooter and are meaningless to anyone outside our game.

 

Online electrons are free and ink is cheap.

How about a return to simply telling the shooter what we want them to do?

 

Communication is a two way process that requires not only a conveyance of information; but a corresponding understanding by the recipient.

 

When terms are so ambiguous that a group of experienced shooters cannot agree on their meaning - nothing is gained in brevity and there is an extreme likelihood of inconsistent application posse to posse.

 

Stage writers are not saving any time writing incomplete and unclear stages that must be then explained and walked thru.

 

The average American reads about 200 words a minute.  

Adding 20 words to the stage description to ensure clarity and CONSISTENCY shooter to shooter and posse to posse only adds SIX seconds to the stage read through; but provides a much better experience to your shooters.

 

Here's a simple one.

What does this sentence mean?

"Shooter starts with Rifle, at the ready"

 

A. SASS Default?

Because no explicit hand, body or posture instruction was provided?

 

B. Hovering over rifle on table?

Because it's understood, in the absence of instruction otherwise, that we are not touching gun or ammo?

 

C.  Rifle shouldered and aimed?

Because if I'm "at the ready" - Shouldn't I be ready?

 

Bonus follow up - if the line is

"Shooter starts with pistols, at the ready"

 

Is your above answer the same?

 

We had THREE very experienced, knowledgeable, long term club officers and match directors discussing this very thing - and we did NOT all agree.

 

So you have to wonder what the OTHER posse settled on.

 

But if the stage writer had written out their specific desire for the starting position - added perhaps, 10, 20 words

(3-6 seconds of reading) - no questions - no debate.

 

It is time for the pendulum to swing back a little - use your words, fully communicate your intentions and let your shooters know your expectations.

 

It will make for a better, more consistent and ultimately a more enjoyable match.

And it might actually make your posses flow faster as there will be less time spent on what ifs and legal wrangling.

 

And if we can avoid all the debate - we might even decide there's opportunity for a story from time to time.

[Blackwater 53393]

I certainly enjoyed the stories when I started, years ago!  One of the draws to CAS for me was the bit of play acting and amusing improvisation by some of the shooters. Without that, it no longer seems to have the entertainment factor that I became accustomed to when I first started.

 

As to the brevity, it seems that we’re losing our ability to communicate clearly. Sacrificing clarity for a minimum of words. It follows what’s happening in the day to day world where we no longer take the time to say what needs to be said to truly inform and understand.

 

 

[Sam Sackett]

I have been fortunate to shoot with clubs that still like to have a little story to start / up the stage. I like it!  Maybe I’m different than the average cowboy, but I come out “for the day”, not just for a couple of hours of rushing through the shooting. Maybe I’m just lucky……. 
 

Sam Sackett 

[Leroy Luck]

I’m in agreement with you, but will play devils advocate here. 
 

Isn’t that what the walk through before the match is for? For posse marshal’s or anyone in attendance. 

[John Kloehr]

I like a story ending with "and that's how (or when) the gunfight started. Say "this line"...

 

And I try to couple remembering the sweep to remembering this line.

 

To some extent, I am OK with otherwise letting unsaid things be "conventions" as long as questions are encouraged on the understanding the dumbest question is the one not asked. Every sport has some learning curve.

 

On edit: Kind of (totally) off topic. Did have one fun April Fools match (yes, different sport) where the instructions were very short. And each stage included the statement "Any ambiguity without a raised question will be construed in the shooters favor. You may not like the answers to any questions. Are there any questions?" The TO would choose the most difficult answer to any question.

 

"From this start box (pointing to the start box), start with the broom held in your strong hand. At the beep, place the broom between your legs and approach the window (pointing to the window). Engage all targets from the window." Question was " We hold the broom between our legs?" Answered with "No hands," The TO was sane, actual safety or real procedural stuff was still handled properly. It was a very fun shoot. And only one posse, so it worked. And damn posse members were thinking of questions to ask dammit!

[Yul Lose]

16 minutes ago, Sam Sackett said:

I have been fortunate to shoot with clubs that still like to have a little story to start / up the stage. I like it!  Maybe I’m different than the average cowboy, but I come out “for the day”, not just for a couple of hours of rushing through the shooting. Maybe I’m just lucky……. 
 

Sam Sackett 

The storytelling has gone by the wayside everywhere that I shoot and even saying a line before the beep has disappeared in most places. Some folks out here even question the need to differentiate between a round count and a sweep when the scenarios are read, I find it helpful. 

[Eyesa Horg]

40 minutes ago, Sam Sackett said:

I have been fortunate to shoot with clubs that still like to have a little story to start / up the stage. I like it!  Maybe I’m different than the average cowboy, but I come out “for the day”, not just for a couple of hours of rushing through the shooting. Maybe I’m just lucky……. 
 

Sam Sackett 

Me too! I like to say the line, but real glad there's no penalty for forgetting what it is.😊 It's posted usually at our area State Matches.

[Blackwater 53393]

43 minutes ago, Sam Sackett said:

I have been fortunate to shoot with clubs that still like to have a little story to start / up the stage. I like it!  Maybe I’m different than the average cowboy, but I come out “for the day”, not just for a couple of hours of rushing through the shooting. Maybe I’m just lucky……. 
 

Sam Sackett 

My sentiments EXACTLY!!!

 

I shot the Nor’easter a few years back.  It had some of the funniest starting lines and stories I’ve ever heard!  We had an absolute BLAST!!

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

1 hour ago, Leroy Luck said:

I’m in agreement with you, but will play devils advocate here. 
 

Isn’t that what the walk through before the match is for? For posse marshal’s or anyone in attendance. 

Monthly shoots don't have walk throughs.

 

So whomever reads the stage instruction is, by default, the Posse Marshal and in the absence of clarity, "may" put their own interpretation or beliefs into play.

 

While the same thing is occuring on Posse 2 and Posse 3 - creating the potential that three posses shot three completely different matches (ever notice that sometimes a given posse will just be faster on a given stage?  Sometimes, that's differing posse shooting differing opportunities)

 

And yeah, it can be said,

"it's just a monthly.  No big deal."

But for some - monthlies are all they get to shoot; they deserve the best experience we can provide.

 

This is why I don't write stages the night or even week before a match - I write them as far in advance as possible; so I can return to them with a critical eye (get my wife to read them, get my daughter to read them) and find my errors, issues or omissions before anyone else does.

Make sure they are a complete, consistent and clear roadmap to the actions allowed or expected.

 

And even at a large match WITH Posse Marshal walk throughs and the like - the stage booklet is being provided to ALL your shooters.

They should be able to read, understand and PLAN for their stage without a page of clarification by the Posse Marshal.

I, for one, take stage booklets and dissect every stage the night before a match - I look at the movements, staging options, firearm orders and round sequence.

My pages are covered with various notes, arrows and ideas for attacking the stage - I absolutely detest arriving at the stage and finding out all I did is for naught because the stage writer didn't mean to allow this or didn't think that anyone would consider doing that.

 

In all my years of being a Match Director - 

I provided the Posse Marshals the stages via email well in advance of the shoot for their exam and input; took their input into consideration to further clarify or modify - at the match, gathered them together in a shaded place and we sat at picnic tables sipping waters and did our final walk through sitting down.

The stage diagram drawings actually matched how the steel was setup.

The stages were written to convey complete information; not to save ink or words.

It embarrassed me; if my stages were unclear, confusing or required my Marshals to clarify my intent to the shooters.

[Leroy Luck]

5 minutes ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

I, for one, take stage booklets and dissect every stage the night before a match - I look at the movements, staging options, firearm orders and round sequence.

My pages are covered with various notes, arrows and ideas for attacking the stage

I don’t know why I can’t seem to do this. I can have an idea or game plan on how to shoot the stage, but once I hear “BEEP” it seems to go out the window. Not everytime, but more often than I’d like to admit. 

 

10 minutes ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

It embarrassed me; if my stages were unclear, confusing or required my Marshals to clarify my intent to the shooters.

I wish more stage writers felt this way 

[John Kloehr]

29 minutes ago, Leroy Luck said:

I don’t know why I can’t seem to do this. I can have an idea or game plan on how to shoot the stage, but once I hear “BEEP” it seems to go out the window. Not everytime, but more often than I’d like to admit. 

Start at right with rifle targets, pistol targets are on left. Four shotgun knockdowns in between about six steps apart. So figure in three steps I will have two shells in my shotgun, pause and take two targets, shuck shells and in three more steps will have two more loaded for the last two shotgun targets. Set shotgun down and instantly draw first revolver....

 

Reality. After rifle, picking up shotgun happens after rifle is safely down, my hand is nowhere near the shotgun, and after taking three steps, I am lucky to even have two shells in hand, never mind in the chambers ready to close the action. After shucking spent shells and three more steps, still am not ready to close shotgun and take last two knockdowns. Shotgun is safely on table before I even reach for my first revolver. first revolver is safely holstered and my other hand is nowhere near the second revolver...

 

I'm sure this is why I take three times longer to shoot a stage compared to the top performers. Now add in a miss or two because the targets are both too big and too close... 

[Dapper Dave]

As a brand new shooter, I like the story acting and such, and I also like to hollar a line instead of saying, "Ready", 'cause that's boring.

"Shooter ready?"
"Curly Bill, drop that piano!"

And forget every instruction on Nevada Sweeps, etc. Oops. 

I haven't been to a match where there was any real stories, or setups that lent themselves to a storyline, maybe in the future when I start to branch out to shooting with other SASS clubs. 

You are right, monthly matches are very important to me, because they are all I have right now. And so far, I'm lovin' it. 🤠

I actually considered suggesting some stages that might lend themselves to a story line, but I am waaaay too greenhorn to step outa line yet. 

[Beartrap SASS#57175]

2 hours ago, Leroy Luck said:

I’m in agreement with you, but will play devils advocate here. 
 

Isn’t that what the walk through before the match is for? For posse marshal’s or anyone in attendance. 

Normally PM walk through only happen at major shoots, not club monthlys.

[Boggus Deal #64218]

I didn’t mind the storytelling. I mind the fact that the stages have to be written practically choreographing every single step the shooter takes. With stuff like “Restage long gun safely”. What the heck else are you going to do with it? 

[Chickamauga Charlie, SASS #47963]

Did anyone actually answer the question? 🤣 

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

18 minutes ago, Chickamauga Charlie, SASS #47963 said:

Did anyone actually answer the question? 🤣 

Nope

[Jackalope]

12 hours ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Monthly shoots don't have walk throughs.

 

Maybe not in Nevada, but they do around here.  If you have more than one posse, why in the world would you not have a walk-through (or similar)?

[Windy City Kid]

Another (relatively) new shooter here. What may be clear to the stage writer, may make others go "huh?" Also, personally I appreciate even a short two-line story, and a fun starting line. I'm on the short bus posse usually (no offense gang). Levity helps clear the butterflies. 

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

2 hours ago, Jackalope said:

 

Maybe not in Nevada, but they do around here.  If you have more than one posse, why in the world would you not have a walk-through (or similar)?

Wow - in 25 plus years of shooting this game; I have never once seen a monthly shoot have a Posse Marshal walk through.

 

I guess your clubs are better organized than any I shoot with; get to the range at 6am for an 8am first shot.  And by the time we put up tables, set our steel, complete sign in, get our personal gear situated and do the safety meeting and pledge - we just don't seem to have any extra time for walk through.

 

This lack of time to fix issues with the stages at the range; is all the more reason that stages need to be well written, with complete and clear instructions in the first place.

[Shooting Bull]

10 hours ago, Chickamauga Charlie, SASS #47963 said:

Did anyone actually answer the question? 🤣 

That wall of text had a question? 😵‍💫

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

22 minutes ago, Shooting Bull said:

That wall of text had a question? 😵‍💫

If you can't read - does it really matter how much text exists?

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

Just to assist the reading impaired...

 

Here's a simple one.

What does this sentence mean?

"Shooter starts with Rifle, at the ready"

 

A. SASS Default?

Because no explicit hand, body or posture instruction was provided?

 

B. Hovering over rifle on table?

Because it's understood, in the absence of instruction otherwise, that we are not touching gun or ammo?

 

C.  Rifle in hands or shouldered and aimed?

Because if I'm "at the ready" - Shouldn't I be ready?

 

D.  Or something else? 

And if something else, what exactly?

 

Bonus follow up - if the line is

"Shooter starts with pistols, at the ready"

 

Is your above answer the same?

[Jackalope]

39 minutes ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

I guess your clubs are better organized than any I shoot with; get to the range at 6am for an 8am first shot.  And by the time we put up tables, set our steel, complete sign in, get our personal gear situated and do the safety meeting and pledge - we just don't seem to have any extra time for walk through.

 

It kinda looks that way, doesn't it?  As match director for our local club, I'll write the stages (most often with a short "...that's what started the gunfight" story) a few weeks prior to our match.  I'll review and tweak them and, eventually, my bride, Anita Margarita, will proof-read them and we'll adjust the stages as needed.  We set up the steel on the Sunday prior to our regularly scheduled Saturday match.  Using the same target positions, Anita will write stages for a Tuesday match.  If anything is still wonky, we can make whatever adjustments might be needed for Saturday.  

 

Somehow, we always make time for a walk-through prior to our safety meeting, etc.  There are rarely any questions but we walk it through anyway because  I'm unwilling to have one posse shoot a different match than the other.

 

9 minutes ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

to assist the reading impaired...

 

I don't really think the readers are impaired as much as the phrase, "at the ready" is ambiguous.  If your author insists on such language, perhaps you could help with some constructive suggestions regarding clarity.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

1 minute ago, Jackalope said:

I don't really think the readers are impaired as much as the phrase, "at the ready" is ambiguous. 

The "Reading Impaired" comment was a direct shot at my buddy, Shooting Bull - not deigned as an insult toward any other.

 

And the ambiguity of stage writers using certain phrases, terms and shorthand was the impetus for this thread in the first place.

[Griff]

1 hour ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Just to assist the reading impaired...

 

Here's a simple one.

What does this sentence mean?

"Shooter starts with Rifle, at the ready"

 

A. SASS Default?

Because no explicit hand, body or posture instruction was provided?

 

B. Hovering over rifle on table?

Because it's understood, in the absence of instruction otherwise, that we are not touching gun or ammo?

 

C.  Rifle in hands or shouldered and aimed?

Because if I'm "at the ready" - Shouldn't I be ready?

 

D.  Or something else? 

And if something else, what exactly?

 

Bonus follow up - if the line is

"Shooter starts with pistols, at the ready"

 

Is your above answer the same?

I didn't want to answer until I saw some of the other responses...

 

And thankful that you restated the question so I didn't have to do a lot of cutting & pasting.  My answer is "C".  But with a caveat, chamber is still empty unless instructed specifically otherwise.  But if a shooter is also "ready" with the rifle simply held in his hands, not aimed, that's okay too.

 

Bonus answer:  Yes.  With same caveat & allowance for individuality.

[Eyesa Horg]

I've never been to a match where the scenario stated "at the ready", so I'd ask! At worst, watch and see what the regulars do.

I'd be especially confused if it was in regards to pistols as if not told to stage them on a prop/table, they would be in the holsters.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

4 minutes ago, Griff said:

I didn't want to answer until I saw some of the other responses...

 

And thankful that you restated the question so I didn't have to do a lot of cutting & pasting.  My answer is "C".  But with a caveat, chamber is still empty unless instructed specifically otherwise.  But if a shooter is also "ready" with the rifle simply held in his hands, not aimed, that's okay too.

 

Bonus answer:  Yes.  With same caveat & allowance for individuality.

Just because no one else wants to play. 😁 

I think C is a good choice - I also think a valid case can be made for all the other choices as well.

 

Which is why - a word or two of clarification makes for a world of difference.

 

But, just to clarify the bonus question - "at the ready" for pistols; IF (at the ready) allows rifle shouldered and aimed - you're advocating the same instruction allows pistols in hand, aimed down range?

 

And in the absence of any other instructions or guidance - what do you think the odds of 12 Posse Marshals coming to this same conclusion are?

 

In the absence of clear and complete instructions that actually inform the shooter of the stage expectations - it is near impossible to expect every posse to shoot the same match.

 

 

[Griff]

3 minutes ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Just because no one else wants to play. 😁 

I think C is a good choice - I also think a valid case can be made for all the other choices as well.

 

Which is why - a word or two of clarification makes for a world of difference.

 

But, just to clarify the bonus question - "at the ready" for pistols; IF (at the ready) allows rifle shouldered and aimed - you're advocating the same instruction allows pistols in hand, aimed down range?

 

And in the absence of any other instructions or guidance - what do you think the odds of 12 Posse Marshals coming to this same conclusion are?

 

In the absence of clear and complete instructions that actually inform the shooter of the stage expectations - it is near impossible to expect every posse to shoot the same match.

In order:  To see if anyone had the experience or courage to step up... 😁

 

"C" is a clear choice for me... the others, not so much.

 

If it were included as a "convention"... I would like it worded something, like, "...up to and including, shouldered, aimed, but chamber empty."

 

Yes, as appropriate for the shooting style for the contestant's category.

 

If they're from our club... and surrounding areas... good.  Otherwise, maybe not.  Stage conventions should be reviewed from time to time.

 

Agreed.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

16 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

I've never been to a match where the scenario stated "at the ready", so I'd ask!

This example came up this weekend.

 

On a posse with Tapatio, Chickamauga Charlie and myself; 60 - 70 years of CAS experience between the three of us and we were debating the intent of "At the ready".

 

And really, it's immaterial what we decided - as our Posse shot the stage based on our interpretation and the other Posse shot it based on theirs.

Now multiply that variance in opinion by 12, 24 or 36 different Posses - all with experienced and knowledgeable members.

Soon you have a stage that can no longer be fairly compared because of those variables.

All because we (stage writers) hurry, encourage brevity over clarity.

I'm not throwing anyone under the bus - I've certainly written stages that I wish I could do over as well.

 

But if we all agree to focus a little more on being clear and worry less about how many words we are using - we will have better matches.

[Equanimous Phil]

I know of a couple of libraries  of different sweeps with their different names etc.

Is there such a thing available for ready conditions? Like

• in hands
• port arms
• Texas surrender
• ...

Would be a great thing!

[Griff]

7 minutes ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

On a posse with Tapatio, Chickamauga Charlie and myself; 60 - 70 years of CAS experience between the three of us and we were debating the intent of "At the ready".

 

But if we all agree to focus a little more on being clear and worry less about how many words we are using - we will have better matches.

So... three relative "newbies"... 😜

 

We've had similar issues at out club... and resolve them by going to talk the other posse so they shoot it the same as we do, or we do it the same as they did.  That "communication" thing again.

[Shawnee Hills]

19 hours ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Communication is a two way process that requires not only a conveyance of information; but a corresponding understanding by the recipient.

 

When terms are so ambiguous that a group of experienced shooters cannot agree on their meaning - nothing is gained in brevity and there is an extreme likelihood of inconsistent application posse to posse.

 

Stage writers are not saving any time writing incomplete and unclear stages that must be then explained and walked thru.

Brevity, or the lack thereof, has no bearing when what we're really taking about is clarity.  I've seen stages written with very little text that were crystal clear as to what was expected of the shooter and those stage briefings resulted in very few questions being asked by the posse.  I've also seen stages written with paragraphs of text that were way too long resulting in a lot of confusion.  Those stage briefings were met with a bunch of questions that held up the match.

 

It's been stated by some that overwrite stages do so for fear of liability.  However, aren't they potentially exposing themselves to more liability by directing a shooter's each move and gun condition?  The conventions cover most, if not all, of the safety considerations so why do we repeat them for each stage?  Yes, there will be new shooters that are not familiar with those but they could be provided a copy (or link) the SHB prior to the match and/or assigned a mentor to guide them through the match safely.

 

To the question at hand, "pointed at the target" has been used instead of the vague term "at the ready".  The former is clearer.

 

Finally, "ink is cheap"??  Have you bought cartridges for a bubblejet printer lately?  😲

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

27 minutes ago, Shawnee Hills said:

Finally, "ink is cheap"??  Have you bought cartridges for a bubblejet printer lately?  😲

Just because I am a pedantic jerk.

Bubble Jet ink cartridges on Amazon $74.99 - 4000 page yield.

That equates out to $0.018/ page.

Those page yield numbers are based on 250 words per page.

Meaning every word costs $0.000072 

 

So using the appropriate additional number of words to ensure clarity (be that perhaps 10 or 20) could add anywhere from $0.00072 to an entire $0.00144 to each page of the stage instructions.

 

I think the cost is insignificant to ensure that a shooter that spends thousands of dollars to attend a major match or even the shooter that drops fifteen at their local monthly actually shoots the same match as the shooters on the other posses.

 

So, yes, ink is cheap.  🤪 

But, I have a laser printer.

[Texas Maverick]

17 hours ago, John Kloehr said:

Start at right with rifle targets, pistol targets are on left. Four shotgun knockdowns in between about six steps apart. So figure in three steps I will have two shells in my shotgun, pause and take two targets, shuck shells and in three more steps will have two more loaded for the last two shotgun targets. Set shotgun down and instantly draw first revolver....

 

Reality. After rifle, picking up shotgun happens after rifle is safely down, my hand is nowhere near the shotgun, and after taking three steps, I am lucky to even have two shells in hand, never mind in the chambers ready to close the action. After shucking spent shells and three more steps, still am not ready to close shotgun and take last two knockdowns. Shotgun is safely on table before I even reach for my first revolver. first revolver is safely holstered and my other hand is nowhere near the second revolver...

 

I'm sure this is why I take three times longer to shoot a stage compared to the top performers. Now add in a miss or two because the targets are both too big and too close... 

Yeah and those brain farts are killer on time spent.

 

TM

[Texas Maverick]

Here in central Texas we use the term At Ready quite often. Here it means rifle shouldered and pointed at target if you so choose. Some just leave it on the table and that is their choice. With pistols you have the pistol out and aimed at the target and both hands on the gun ready to pull the hammer. With duelist and gunfighters they have their pistol/pistols out and ready to fire as well. With the shotgun it is out and held in both hands unless it reads you can have one hand on shells. 

 

TM