You don't need to know this stuff when you start out. But after you've gained some experience shooting matches, you may hear those words. Quite often at local matches the scorekeeper is enlisted or "volunteered" from the ranks of competitors. While score keeping is not difficult, the typical 30 seconds of on-the-job training sometimes leaves a little bit to be desired, and too often score sheets result that cannot later be deciphered by the underpaid and under appreciated stats department. This primer tries to cover the high points.

Click the image at the right for a correctly completed scoresheet.

Before the Make Ready command, have the score sheet turned to the correct shooter and stage. Verify that the stage name matches the score sheet. Call-out "Larry is the shooter, Moe is on-deck, Curly's in the hole." If Larry isn't the guy at the line, this call-out will prompt a correction.

As the RO runs the shooter, try to (safely) stay behind him about 15 feet, and avoid stepping on the shooter's magazines (leave them.) Watch the shooter if possible - look for foot faults, failure to engage, and malfunctioning targets.

When the RO gets to "If you are finished..." step up closer and try to read the timer - if you can, record the time. After "Range is clear," if you are certain you saw a problem or appropriate penalty the RO didn't catch, mention it to him. The RO will then call out the time, and you should immediately read it back in a loud voice. If the numbers match, you both move through the targets with the RO calling them - "One alfa, one charlie" - and you immediately and loudly readback what you heard - only then can the RO know you heard it correctly. Stay close to the RO - not shouting distance.

Just after the last target, check your work and verify that the your column totals sum to match the checksum - circle it. Then re-check that the time was recorded.

In approximate order of importance, here's a list of tips:

1. When separate sheets are used for each stage, the competitor's name must be on each sheet.
2. If for any reason the time is not recorded, the competitor is pretty much a goner, because there simply is no way to recreate it, so that stage becomes a big zero.
3. Especially when you quickly inherit the clipboard, or when you move to the next stage, verify that the stage name matches the score sheet title.
4. By default Mikes have one penalty which stats will automatically add - you don't have to note these penalties. In the case of completely disappearing targets like drop-turners, a mike does need to be noted as no-penalty. For maximum clarity, circle the numeral and write "NP" next to it.
5. If there are no-shoot or procedural penalties, these need to be recorded in the appropriate box. If there is no box, be descriptive - write something like "1 procedural for foot fault."
6. Sum each of the A-B-C-D-M columns to the subtotal boxes, then sum the subtotal boxes and compare that value with the preprinted number at the far right - this is the "checksum." If your value does not equal the checksum, ask to pause the target pasting, and recheck your addition. When it does match, circle the checksum - it's correct.
7. Unless the USPSA number, the division, and the power factor are recorded on the match sign-in sheet, make sure they're on at least one page of the shooter's score sheets.
8. It's best to turn every shooter's score sheet to the correct page by the end of the stage walk through. Usually at this point the first shooter is moved to last - and it's a real plus if you can avoid completely re-shuffling the order.
9. Even if it hurts, don't write II for two - use the numeral 2.
10. Lastly, get the shooter to okay your work with their initials. At local matches, it may be customary to do this only for classifiers.

At bigger matches where there is time pressure to keep squads moving, the scorekeeper is generally an experienced RO, and the staff typically only needs to be familiar with one stage. The scorekeeper may, if safety permits, begin scoring before the range is clear.

Once the range is clear, the scorekeeper will then either finish the job, or the CRO may pick up the duty at the point the scorekeeper left off. If the CRO and scorekeeper cooperate well, things flow smoothly and significant time is saved. With this method, the shooter is entitled to have a designated representative watch the scoring as it is done. At the local match this method can also work, but may lead to problems - here's why.

The CRO and scorekeeper will need to learn all the stages as they go, and the scorekeeper duty may rotate between less experienced folks. If the scorekeeper and CRO don't maintain perfect sync, when they get to the last targets they notice the target count doesn't match. "Did we just do T11 or T12?" By this time most of the targets are pasted and the CRO can't be sure of the scoring, so a staff-induced reshoot is in order. Use caution with the faster method. Another thing to consider is that shooters may want to see any misses firsthand before they are willing to sign the scoresheet.

Accuracy is everything in score keeping. Your squad mates will appreciate you for it. Once you're comfortable with scoring and are more familiar with the rules, consider becoming a certified RO. It's a great way to help out at your club.

The National Range Officer's Institute trains and certifies ROs.

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