I picked up flambeau's box of 3 decoys tonight. (jake, feeding hend, and standing hen). Is there any special pattern I should set these in when hunting or just put them out there?

Also, I was wondering about roughing up a slate call (that is crystal). when roughing it up do i want to go in a circular motion, or make all the rough marks go in on direction or perpendicular or what?

Thanks.

I've always read that you should put the jake 5 yds or so from the hen(s). A subordinate jake will be reluctant to approach a hen. You want to make him look subordinate. Seems to work.
Sand your slate in one direction so that your striker crosses the grooves when you call.

Yeah the call should be sanded in one direction only. As far as the decoy set, the advice above is good, also I like to put them close to me. Like only 5-10 yards out. That way if they hang up 30 yards past the decoys, I still got him.

This is sound advice. I have gone even further, and put the decoy behind me. I only do this when I have a good backstop, in case someone sneeks up behind me and shoots at my deeks.
But, if you are sure that the bird is coming from one direction, and have a good set-up (read VERY good setup) then putting it behind you might bring a bird who is prone to hanging up in close enough for a shot.
This said, most of the time my deeks are 5-10 yards in front of me.

also...place the jake 'facing' away from you....almost every dominant gobbler will walk directly to it, facingor slightly to one side of the deke....that'll give you a shot when you putt to make him raise his head.