You will usually join a “squad” of 8-15 shooters who stay together during the match.   A rotating shooting order will be established. The Range Officer will read you the written stage briefing, which describes how the stage must be shot.   You will then have about five minutes to "walk-through" and plan the stage.

Range Officers, stage designers, match setup and takedown folks are all volunteers - they work hard without pay for the benefit of all. Keep this in mind, and consider volunteering to help takedown at the end of the match.

When the shooting begins, if you're not the current shooter or "on deck," (next to shoot) you'll be helping your squad mates tape targets, reset steel, or retrieve brass. At least three people are needed to do this at all times, four or five will often be faster and more efficient. When you get some experience, ask to be the scorekeeper.   Don't snub your squad mates by loafing. On the other hand, when you're next to shoot ("on deck"), don't tape, reset or pick - use this time to prepare yourself to shoot.   Finish your preparations and come to the line ready to load.

The competition is all about getting maximum points during minimum time.   If you waste time between shots you're hurting your score.   Assuming you can shoot the targets well enough, you can really improve your time by shooting the stage efficiently.  

Avoid doing a standing reload.   Analyze the grouping of targets and how it relates to your magazine capacity.   Let's suppose your magazines hold ten rounds each. If the first shooting position requires six rounds, and the next position another six, do your first reload immediately after the first position while you're moving – that way you avoid doing a reload while doing nothing else – and don't allow your gun to go to slide lock unless you really must to avoid a standing reload – reloading from slide lock is slower.

Here's another stage to analyze.

At left, Master shooter Jessie Harrison "airguns" her way through a stage - a rehearsal.

Plan where you will shoot each target from, and where you will do each reload.   Visualize in your mind's eye what each group of targets will look like. The slowest method is to think your way through a stage instead of just following your plan.   Sometimes things don't go exactly according to plan (misses!) and you must improvise, but try to stick to your plan.

A good place to start if you have ten rounds or fewer in each mag is to initially plan a mag change every time you move – only then consider alternatives.   Sometimes you are forced to do a standing reload – or go to slide lock – but avoid these if possible.  

Always consider the different options of where shots can be taken from – often you will have more than one way. In general, if you are going to get closer to distant targets at some later point of movement during the stage, wait until you are closer to make those shots – close shots are faster than long ones.

Some stages will force you to shoot through windows or “ports.”   The rule-of-thumb is to avoid pushing your gun into a port unless you absolutely must to see the targets.   Getting into and out of ports wastes time and can result in sight damage during recoil. The exception to this strategy may be where the port is the last shooting position, and sticking your arms through could give you an advantage.  

Often you will need to move sideways to a new shooting position.   This is an excellent opportunity to let your muzzle wander into breaking the 180 and getting disqualified. Keep this in mind during any movement that isn't straight ahead. During all movement, keep the muzzle pointed downrange and keep your finger outside the trigger guard. (You may shoot while moving, but that's an advanced technique you're advised not to try for a while).  

When you arrive at your next shooting position, the gun should be up at eye level as you arrive – don't keep it so low you have another delay bringing it up into position.

Going through doorways can also be a 180 DQ trap.   A proven technique is to point your muzzle straight ahead but slightly upward with your finger outside the trigger guard, while your weak hand opens the door. Be sure not to sweep your weak hand in the process.

When you shoot targets partially covered by no-shoots, don't think about the no-shoots – instead focus on the A-zone of the shoot targets.   Focus on the goal, not the peril.

At left, Master shooter Jessie Harrison shoots a stage where the starting position is gun and magazines on table.

If you have a jam in an auto, tap the bottom of the mag to make sure it's seated, rack the slide to clear the breach and re-chamber a fresh round,- and then re-engage the target.   Jams that are more difficult may require dropping a mag.