There is an interesting article in the third quarter Tactical Journal ("You
can always get a waiver...", p23) about giving new shooters breaks at club
level matches. Basically, the author approves of the idea. I know I've
done it when I was SO. Not safety rules, but such things as equipment,
stage or game rules.

Last match we let a kid shoot a .22 at his first match. Recently, at
another club, we had three LEOs with duty gear trying a match for the first
time. They could shoot well enough, but didn't know the rules of the game.
One of them dropped a partial mag. My scorekeeper gave him a procedural,
and tried to explain the rules. I discussed it with the scorekeeper and
officer, and we agreed to let it slide this time but not in the future.
(Ignorance of the law WAS an excuse!) On a stage that required explosive
movement on the draw I've told shooters with limited mobility that I would
accept whatever they were able to do. There is a fellow who shoots
regularly who I tap on the shoulder because he simply can't hear the beep.

So, what do you think? When is it OK to "help" new shooters, or even
experienced shooters with physical limitations? When do you verbally remind
a shooter to do something? Does it matter if the shooter in question is
beating people? How do some of you SOs handle these situations? Any MDs
care to chime in?

John W in SC