In The Hoop: Mo Parsons, FITASC Referee and Target Setter

This month we go In The Hoop with Mo Parsons well known FITASC and chief NSCA referee and target setter to learn a little bit about the game from the ref’s perspective.  The referees are the cogs that make the wheels of our game run around.  This is evidenced in the debate that rages over improper rules application in club shoots across the country that have abandoned refs in favor of the score your own shoot.  In a sporting clay shoot of any real size and particularly a FITASC shoot we would be lost without them.  The rules of FITASC sporting can be found here.

International Sporting Clays:  So what’s the life of a referee like?

Mo Parsons:  Life of a referee is a lot of travel.  Looking ahead to plan out the year to see where we can be of help. We are independent contractors so we have to arrange whatever work we get.  I myself have a great bunch of referees that we travel together from shoot to shoot.  We are professional and courteous to the shooters.

ISC:  How long have you been a referee?

MP:  I have been a FITASC referee since 1998.

ISC:  Tell us a little bit about what goes on behind the scenes of a shoot where the ref’s are concerned?

MP:  FITASC referees meet the day before competition and go over the parcours that they will be judging.  We look over things like the limits that the target setters have set, the menus to make sure they are correct, how they will bring shooters into the Parcour from the staging areas.  When the shoot starts the relief ref will be sure to choose times that will benefit the referees on the parcours.  The chief ref will handle all score cards checking to make sure the score sheets are correct before putting them in chronological order before they are turned in to scoring personnel.  After each day of shooting we meet to discuss the daily events to see if we need to address any problems.

ISC:  Do you find that most FITASC competitors are familiar with the rules?

MP:  Most competitors know most of the rules; very few know all the rules.

ISC:  What is the most common rule violation at FITASC shoots?

MP:  The most violated rule would surely be the ready position.  Once the shooter is in position and calls for the bird they sometimes will address or move before the bird is visible.

ISC:  How do you feel about referee’s also being the trapper?  Does it take away from the quality of the refereeing?

MP:  The referee has enough on their minds that I feel they should not have to trap as well.  In major shoots where time is of the essence referees can’t pick up the parcour and load it properly with the referee doing all the work.  It could take away some of the quality.

ISC:  Are there enough internationally qualified ref’s in the U.S?

MP:  There are probably not enough internationally certified referees.  But it is not easy to get the credential.  A referee has to ref two world cup or international events and to be evaluated at such events.  The clubs hosting these events usually train for them and it is usually too long between shoots at their club to get certified so the refs won’t do it.  I ended up going all the way to Germany to get my certification.

ISC:  What’s your take on the dress code issues that have popped up such as Croc’s shoes?

MP:  Dress code should be adhered to just like any other rule.  As far as crocs with holes in the toes, no they should not be worn.

ISC:  There have been a few instances of less than ideal behavior from some top shooters in the game.  Do the ref’s have any real power to effectively control this?  And does it in fact fall to them or to the national association?

MP:  As far as the behavior of the competitors I have not seen anyone get out of hand.  I have heard of some shoots who have had uncertified referees where this has happened.  We as referees have the ability to stop it and will.  The National Sporting Clays Association has given us the regulation along with FITASC to regulate the sport.  So first and foremost it is the referee’s job to enforce the rules.

ISC:  If a shooter disagrees with a ref’s call or needs a rule clarification, what is the proper way to do it?

MP:  If a shooter disagrees with the refs call or rule clarification the shooter should raise their hand and ask their question after they have made their firearm safe.  After the ref has explained the rule or finding, if the shooter still disagrees with the ref, the ref will see that the shooter will shoot the bird or birds that are being questioned and record those.  A jury will be able to sort out the findings and at no time should the shooter stop the proceeding.

ISC:  What draws shooters to FITASC?

MP:  The ever changing target presentations that FITASC offers from peg to peg is a big draw for most shooters.  What maybe an incomer on peg 1 might be crosser from peg 3.  Most targets will never be shot the same from peg to peg.  FITASC offers a less repetitious but more thought provoking mental game.

ISC:  What are the requirements when staffing a FITASC event?

MP:  For instance a Four Parcour FITASC event should have a certified referee on each parcour , a relief referee for the four parcours and a chief referee to oversee the event.

ISC:  Do you prefer old style or new style?

MP:  I enjoy both styles.  If it is a large event and warrants more shooters to be able to shoot it, new style can be very entertaining and exciting because every 12 minutes you move from peg to peg.  In old style 6 people would shoot a parcour in 50 minutes, where as in new style , each peg would have a squad of 6 shooters shooting each peg simultaneously at the same time.  Although new style takes a lot more equipment and is more labor intensive, if the number of competitors  justifies new style, it can be a very rewarding experience.

ISC:  What do you like about international events?

MP:  I truly like the fact that you are squaded with competitors from around the world.  You come away from the shoot with friends that you would normally never have met.  Through shooting, I feel we can strengthen our relationship with shooters from abroad.  It is fun to visit other countries to see all the pomp and circumstance that surround the shoot.  In international competition the rules are more strictly enforced.

ISC:  What is the craziest thing you have ever seen in FITASC?

MP:  While at a U.S. Open, I once saw a feathered bird fly in front of a target and when the target was shot, the feathered bird took the whole impact of the pattern, prohibiting the shot to reach the target, so the competitor was granted another shot because of interference.

In Germany, I was refereeing a parcour that had a machine on top of the mountain and as I told the trapper that we needed to reload he told me that it was ok and picked up another button because they had two traps throwing the same bird off the top of the mountain, knowing that the clay targets in one machine would not be enough to finish the day.

ISC:  Why do you enjoy refereeing FITASC?

MP:  I feel that the game is very entertaining and of all of the shooting disciplines, FITASC makes the referee feel like they are a part of every squad.  I enjoy visiting the different gun clubs and seeing the different terrain to work with.

International Sporting Clays thanks Mr. Mo Parsons for his cooperation with this article.  Mo can be reached at 210-559-1320 or mo.parsons@gmail.com he can provide a whole crew of ref’s and fine target setting.

 Photos by: www.GreenGirlPhotos.com and www.ShotsBySherri.com

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