AT HOME

Draw the proposed courses in different colours on the one map. On a second map mark the probable control sites but NOT the leg lines between them. Divide the sites into groups for ease of placement and collection (up to10 per group). From the best start point on vehicle access mark the route that would most quickly unload controls.

            Get an up-to-date list of control numbers available for your event and use these to number the controls in one group consecutively around the chosen route (eg. 101 to 107).  Repeat for all other consecutively numbered groups (eg. 108 -118, 119-128, 129-135, 136-138).

FIRST FIELD VISIT

to each probable site, finalise control location and tape the stand position, at the right height, on the correct side of the mapped feature. Finalise the wording for the Control Description Sheet & write the control number on the tape. (Birds can sometimes take visible tapes, so a same numbered spare one under a rock is a useful back up)

BACK HOME

Draw up a master map with the control numbers against each circle and mark the courses on it in different colours. Type out Control Description Sheets for all courses on a single sheet. 

Do not cut up this “Master” sheet at this stage.

            Make an accurate map of the final control locations without the red leg lines. Cut map into bits for each group of controls - and mark on the start point and route for the control placer and the code numbers for each control. Staple each sub-map to a “master” Control Description Sheet and for every course on that sheet highlight every control shown on the sub-map.

CONTROL PLACEMENT VISIT

Visit each site in the planned order with the correct number of control stands and flags and the correct code numbers elastic-banded in their correct order. Do not take spares. Check the highlighted code numbers and descriptions for every course using that control. Tick, or make any necessary corrections for each course affected.

            This method makes it easy to spot a mistake on the Control Description Sheet and virtually impossible to incorrectly place the control or its code in the field. It takes longer to plan at home but it saves time in the field and reduces worry for the event.

HOME AGAIN

Correct and copy the “master” control description sheet and cut into separate courses. Staple through the back of one corner of each course for safety in windy weather.

ON THE DAY

Use the same sub-maps for control collection on the reverse route.