What Is The Reason For Drawing Benches?

There are a few ranges that the first 1-4 benches on either end can have a big advantage depending on wind conditions. I don't care how good any shooter is, he has a distinct disadvantage if he doesn't have a chance at the honey hole.
We don't have a problem in the Gulf Coast region. It has always been handled in a fair manner.
Butch
 
I feel , and Peter W. can add if he wants to comment, Up here in Maine, we have 2 ranges that can be from "Holy crap Toto" my flag just launched from the pole !!! on bench 6 - 12 to wow, my daisey's must be bound up, there not moving on 1 - 4 on some days. We have had to keep an eye on a few to keep it fare. Not that much of a problem with most all of us. We have drawn benches at all matches and thats just the way it is. I wouldnt mind a 6 bench or half range, rotation on a single yardage after match 3. Except that could kill your chances in Damerascotta if the Tide changes at lunch time. That range will typically flip completely from one direction to totally oposite.. I love that place .. Nothing like a switchy 30 mile per hour gust at 300 yards to keep yah honest. I see a rotation the best way for us to stand a chance at getting a good middle of the range bench once in awhile.
JMHO ..
Andy B
 
My question is and because I dont know.... what do the rules say in both IBS and NBRSA, about rotations?
 
Hope this works,
H)
Drawing for benches
1)
The Host Club through its representative shall conduct a drawing for benches. One of the Referees or Statistician shall be present to see the drawing is fairly conducted and to represent shooters not present when called upon to draw.
2)
Latecomers must draw their benches by lot in presence of the Chairperson Referee or the Statistician.
3)
Clubs have the option of having but one drawing and requiring each competitor to shoot from the same bench for all matches at all ranges or they may allow two drawings - one for matches at the first distance and one for the matches at the second distance.
4)
Having drawn a bench or benches, a competitor will not be permitted to make any further changes in relays or benches, except when through some physical condition a hardship results, in which case the Range Officer may change the assignment of bench or relay or both in such a way as to relieve the hardship.
5)
At Championship Tournaments a system of bench rotation shall be used, whereby each competitor shall draw by lot his/her competitor or bench number for the first event of each day or at each range, and for each following events shall move a predetermined number of benches. He/she may be assigned the same competitor number for all subsequent events at the same Tournament.
6)
Since rotation of benches is required at IBS Championships and preregistration is also mandatory, the Host Club may draw benches for competitors and assign benches for physical hardships prior to the Tournament occurring. This speeds up registration at the Tournament and reduces complications.
7)
Bench rotation may be used at any IBS Registered Tournament when so elected by the Host Club.
8)
Host Clubs must definitely state in their program for each Tournament whether they will hold one or two drawings for benches, or if they will use the bench rotation system.
9)
A competitor may identify up to three other competitors to share bench rotation at the time of bench drawing. He or she must declare the other individuals prior to any of the individuals drawing for benches. Pre-registration is encouraged. The Host Club will accommodate the request up to available benches on currently open relays.

This from the IBS rule book .. Guess it worked.

Andy B
 
So lets see
number 1 says they shall. Usually in legaleese that mean must and will.
Yet number seven uses the word may and a redundant statement that suggests it is voluntary.
Number 9 I am unclear on. Does this mean at that time 3 people can share the same bench (doesnt seem so) or does it indicate 3 people can request to sit next to each other?
 
HovisKM said:
Rotating benches is a big PIA. There ain't no way I'm going to do that at my range. It's taking me to dam long to get the things square and level to begin with......

Hovis
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It adds more chance to the game and tends to level the conditions playing field. After it is done a few times it becomes second nature. Anyone shoud be able to pick up their stuff and re-set it without marking benches or any of that other stuff. it ain't no big deal.
 
Well, if you draw a " Honey Hole" Bench be prepaired to gain a few friends as long as they have not already drawn, or , if you have a hardship on the windy side of the range, Its possible you could be relieved of said hardship by a range official to a less threatening area of the range ? ( ment to be taken in a joking manner please ) Like Peter said, " Unfortunately, This is typical language " . I say you Draw it, you shoot. I dont always like the bench with loose/seperating plywood top, but I deal with it, focus on table manners, do the best I can and move on at the rotation. I will typically, depending on number of relays, share a bench with 1 or 2 of the same shooters every match as we share flags. It is noted at the time of the draw who and which relay they will shoot. It would be totaly unethical that the other shooters be able draw and we pick the " Best " draw of the 3 of us. That part of the rule should never change or be allowed to differ at any range.

Andy B
 
There are Ranges where drawing for benches is a must, Denton being the most notorious I have ever been too. If you look up the term "honey hole" in Websters, there should be a picture of bench 1 and 2 at Denton. The actually rotate every yardage, just to keep it fair.

As Butch said, Seymor is Neutral, so is the middle 25 of Midland. New Braunfels is fairly neutral, but they do rotate.

At Tomball, we Rotate after each yardage. But it is generally crappy anywhere.

I can tell an interersting story about Rotation. A couple of years ago at New Braunfels, they decided not to rotate between yardages. John Jones and I were sharing a bench, he won the morning 100, I was 2d. They announced after that yardage that we were now going to rotate.:D Go figure..........jackie
 
Lynn said:
I have been posting to a supermoderator off forum about the drawing of benches in shortrange benchrest.If you are rotating benches in the first place why are you also drawing benches?
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Many in fact probably most ranges have some benches more favorable to shoot from than others, even if it is only perceived that way in peoples heads. Full rotation is the best way to even conditions out but it is a royal pain to set 5 sets of flags. Even with full rotation there are advantages (even if only perceived) in where you start and end. For instance at several ranges here in the northeast the low numbered benches tend to have terrible mirage in the afternoon on a hot summer day (ground is very close to bullets path) for that reason even though full rotation is being used most people feel they got lucky if they start out on their lowest numbered bench in the AM. At a big range like Kelblys even your start position varies 12 benches and the farther left you go the shorter the flags you need, even if mirage is not a problem setting 10-12" tall flags can have problems so 12 is probably preferred over 1 on the other hand at some ranges exceedingly tall flags are needed on one end so that is not preferred.

Most matches at least the ones I frequent do not use full rotation this is why IBS rules require some type of rotation be used unless no grand aggregate is being shot. I will tell you personally as a person who has run matches for around 25 years I will never schedule a match with full rotation unless it is required (Nationals) most shooters would rather take their chance with a bad bench draw than set 5 rows of flags. But we do rotate half the field between yardages at two yardage matches this alleviates the uneven range conditions somewhat as if you got a bad draw for 100 at least you will not be there for 200. This is why drawing can be important even when rotation is being used. Oh yes and IBS rules specifically allow for sharing of equipment this is why you sometimes see the same people grouped together. Any person is allowed to name two other individuals that will share his bench for equipment (yes this includes flags) sharing reasons, and match directors must make reasonable attempts to accomodate that request.

Dick
 
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Rotation at Holton

At Holton we rotate as required by rule. That being said it really doesn't matter, the whole range is one big Honey Hole. You just rotate from hole to hole. The wind doesn't blow, there is no mirage and it is as if the Lord takes your bullet in mid-flight and places it on the target exactly where you wanted it.:p

Matt Guthrie
 
And the Lord will send you to hell for lying.

Francis
As you know out here we live in pergatory.
Lynn
 
I'm not sure I could shoot in no wind all day ? I practice in it and tune in it and most always have some to shoot in. I can be fairly certain on the " trigger pulling" days to loose a point only because I really shoot my best in heavy conditions. I get lazy and miss something subtle and there she goes. Wether its because everyone else does worse in heavy wind or its a mental thing ? not sure. Scores seem to stay up and x's are right there so I'd say mental. Bench rotations are a fixture of our game, they are useful in keeping it fair and will prevent confrontations or limit them. Our rules were set to have this be Gentlemanly / Lady like , competition and be fair as reasonably possible. It maintains a level playing field. I have seen the Honey hole turn into a Hell hole right after the warm up .. When luck of the draw and Mother nature are involved, we only have our equipment, skill and intestinal fortitude to back us up. its all good.

Andy B
 
Francis, I see what you are saying.
via #1 Drawing for benches with the word shall would indicate that it is mandatory
and in #7 rotations using the word may would make it discretionary.
Would that be correct then?
 
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