1. Introduction
Target archery is the discipline in which athletes shoot a set number of arrows at fixed distances into concentric scoring faces. It is governed worldwide by the World Archery Federation, whose rules are published as a numbered rulebook in separate Books — Book 3 covers Target Archery, and Book 2 covers Events, including the field of play and the officials.
Competition is split into three divisions defined by the bow used — Recurve, Compound and Barebow (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) — and each division has its own equipment rules, distances and match format.
The thing that surprises newcomers: Recurve and Barebow matches are not decided by total score. They use set play, where each end is worth set points and the first to 6 wins the match (12.1.4, 12.1.4.1). Compound uses cumulative scoring instead (12.1.4, 12.1.4.3). Two archers can therefore shoot the same total and get opposite results.
This summary follows Version 2026-03-13 of the World Archery Rulebook, effective from 13 March 2026. Clause numbers in parentheses refer to Book 3 unless the text names Book 2.
2. Equipment
The Recurve Bow
- A bow of any type complying with the common meaning of the word as used in target archery: a handle/riser and grip — no shoot-through type — and two flexible limbs, each ending in a tip with a string nock (9.1.1)
- It is braced by a single string attached directly between the two string nocks (9.1.1)
- In operation it is held in one hand by the grip while the fingers of the other hand draw and release the string (9.1.1)
- Multi-coloured risers and trademarks on the inside of the limbs or on the riser are permitted (9.1.1)
- Risers with a brace are permitted provided the brace does not consistently touch the athlete's body at full draw and during aiming (9.1.1)
- Classified Para archers are additionally covered by Book 5 Para Archery (9.1.1)
The Bowstring
- May be of multi-coloured strands and serving (9.1.2)
- May carry a centre serving for the drawing fingers and one or two nocking points (9.1.2)
- Additional servings may be added to fit the arrow nock and locate the nocking points (9.1.2)
- Each end of the bowstring carries a loop placed in the string nocks (9.1.2)
Divisions and Inspection
- Separate equipment rules govern the Recurve, Compound and Barebow divisions (9.1, 9.2, 9.3)
- Accessories permitted for all divisions are listed separately (9.4), as are visual aids (9.5)
- All equipment is subject to equipment inspection (9.7)
- Judges check athletes' equipment before the tournament and at any time during it (Book 2, 3.11.1.3)
Target Faces
- There are sixteen recognised target faces, from the 122 cm diameter face down to 40 cm double and triple faces (Book 2, 7.2.2)
- Only faces produced by a World Archery licensed manufacturer may be used at World Archery competitions (Book 2, 7.2.2)
- The 122, 80, 60 and 40 cm faces carry five concentric colour zones — from the centre outwards: yellow (gold), red, light blue, black, white (Book 2, 7.2.2.1)
- Each colour is split by a thin line into two equal-width zones, giving 10 scoring zones (Book 2, 7.2.2.1)
- Zone width measured from the centre of the gold is 6.1 cm on the 122 cm face, 4 cm on the 80 cm, 3 cm on the 60 cm and 2 cm on the 40 cm (Book 2, 7.2.2.1)
- Dividing lines lie entirely within the higher-scoring zone; there are no dividing lines between light blue and black, nor between black and white (Book 2, 7.2.2.1)
3. Playing Area
Distances and Faces
- Recurve shoots 70 m outdoors at the 122 cm face, 72 arrows in the Qualification Round (Book 2, 4.5.1.1)
- Barebow shoots 50 m at the 122 cm face; Compound shoots 50 m at the 80 cm face (Book 2, 4.5.1.1)
- Recurve U18 and 50+ shoot 60 m; Recurve U15 shoots 40 m; Barebow U15 shoots 30 m (Book 2, 4.5.1.1)
- Indoor competition is at 18 m over 60 arrows, on 40 cm triple faces (Book 2, 4.5.1.1)
- At International Events the 40 cm triple faces are mandatory for the Qualification Round; elsewhere single or triple faces are the organiser's choice (Book 2, 4.5.1.1)
Field Layout
- The field of play is established with 90-degree corners, each distance measured accurately from a point vertically beneath the gold of each face to the shooting line (Book 2, 7.1.1.2)
- It is positioned so athletes are not facing directly into the sun — North ±20 degrees in the Northern Hemisphere, South ±20 degrees in the Southern (Book 2, 7.1.1.2)
- Distance tolerances are 30 cm at 90, 70 and 60 m; 15 cm at 50, 40 and 30 m; and 10 cm at 25 and 18 m (Book 2, 7.1.1.2)
- Venue altitude may not exceed 1800 m above sea level without the Technical Delegate's authorisation (Book 2, 7.1.1.1)
The Lines
- A line 3 m in front of the shooting line is provided, its width falling inside the 3 m area (Book 2, 7.1.1.3)
- For Team Rounds a clearly visible line is marked 1 m behind the shooting line, at least 3 cm wide (Book 2, 7.1.1.3)
- The athletes' waiting line is at least 3 m behind the shooting line, or 4 m if there is a media lane (Book 2, 7.1.1.3)
- A media lane line, if provided, sits between the shooting and waiting lines, at least 3 m from the shooting line (Book 2, 7.1.1.3)
- The equipment line is at least 4 m behind the waiting line, so 7 or 8 m behind the shooting line depending on the media lane (Book 2, 7.1.1.3)
- While shooting is in progress, coaches must remain behind the equipment line (Book 2, 7.1.1.3)
Butts and Assignment
- The butt front must be large enough that an arrow just missing the outermost scoring zone still stays in the butt (Book 2, 7.2.1)
- Butts are firmly attached to supports secured to the ground so they cannot be blown or pulled over (Book 2, 7.2.1.1)
- Butts at long distances (30–70 m) are set at 10 to 15 degrees from vertical, and at short distances 0 to 10 degrees — but a whole line of butts is set at the same angle (Book 2, 7.1.1.4)
- Target numbers are at least 30 cm tall for long distances and 15 cm for short (Book 2, 7.2.1.2)
- All athletes in a category are assigned to one field of play (Book 2, 7.1.1.6)
- Wherever possible three athletes are assigned per butt, four if space does not permit (Book 2, 7.1.1.7)
4. Players & Officials
Director of Shooting
- The Judges Committee appoints a director of shooting, who wherever possible is a judge and takes on no other activity (Book 2, 3.9.1, 3.9.2)
- The director of shooting enforces any reasonable safety measures (Book 2, 3.9.3)
- Duties include controlling the shooting, regulating end timing, and setting the order in which athletes occupy the shooting line (Book 2, 3.9.3)
- The director also controls the audio equipment and ensures spectators remain behind the barriers enclosing the venue (Book 2, 3.9.3)
Judges
- Judging is run by the Tournament Judge Commission (Book 2, 3.10.1)
- At International Events there is a minimum of one judge per seven targets in the Target Qualification Round, and one per eight for Field and 3D (Book 2, 3.10.1.1)
- Judges are appointed by the World Archery Judges Committee, with no more than two from any one Member Association if possible (Book 2, 3.10.2)
- Names are notified to the secretary general and organisers no later than 90 days before the first day of competition (Book 2, 3.10.2.1)
- A chairperson and deputy chairperson are appointed, and the chairperson reports on the tournament (Book 2, 3.10.3, 3.10.4)
- Judges ensure the tournament is conducted according to the Constitution and Rules and in fairness to all athletes (Book 2, 3.11.1)
- They check all distances, range layout, face and base dimensions, face height from the ground, and that all butts sit at a uniform angle (Book 2, 3.11.1.1)
- They also check all venue equipment (Book 2, 3.11.1.2)
Other Officials
- A Jury of Appeal is constituted for the event (Book 2, 3.12)
- Scorers are appointed under Book 2 (Book 2, 3.13)
- Shooting positions are decided by draw, with provision for repositioning on targets (Book 2, 3.14, 3.15)
- Team officials and the appeals process are covered by Book 3 Chapters 16 and 17 (16, 17)
- Questions and disputes are handled under Chapter 15 (15)
5. Rules of Play
Shooting
- Athletes shoot in ends of three or six arrows unless specified differently (10.1)
- Except for persons with disabilities, athletes shoot from a standing position without support, heads aligned over the shooting line at full draw (10.4)
- Athletes may not raise the bow arm until the signal to start shooting is given (10.3)
- No athlete may occupy the shooting line except when the appropriate signal has been given (11.2.3)
- A coach may give non-electronic coaching information to an athlete on the line, provided it does not disturb others (10.6)
Re-shooting
- Under no circumstances may an arrow be re-shot (10.5)
- An arrow may be considered not shot if it falls from the bow or is mis-shot and part of the shaft lies between the shooting line and the 3 m line — provided it has not rebounded (10.5.1)
- An arrow is also considered not shot if the face or butt blows over and the judges cannot determine the scores; the judges then allow adequate time to shoot the relevant arrows (10.5.1)
Timing
- Total time for an end is set by the number of arrows in that end (11.2.1)
- At World Ranking Events: 20 seconds per arrow for individual alternate shooting and all team and mixed team rounds, including shoot-offs (11.2.1.1)
- At those events, 30 seconds per arrow for individual shooting in qualifications and Match Play where alternate shooting does not apply (11.2.1.1)
- At all other events the individual non-alternating allowance is 40 seconds, which organisers may reduce to 30 by saying so in the invitation (11.2.1.2)
- The time limit may be extended in exceptional circumstances (11.2.2)
- In AB/CD detail shooting, 10 seconds is allowed for one group to leave and the next to occupy the line (11.2.3.1)
- Order of shooting, and visual and acoustic time control, are governed separately (11.1, 11.3, 11.4)
Practice
- Practice may take place on the tournament range and consists of 3 ends, ending with the pulling of the practice arrows (14.1, 14.1.1)
- Practice targets are set at the first distance to be shot by each class (14.1.1)
- Other practice facilities are made available at least three days before competition begins (14.1.1.1)
- A practice field is provided for athletes still in the Elimination and Finals Rounds (14.1.2)
6. Scoring
Recording
- Each target has two scorecards, one of which may be electronic (12.1.1)
- If electronic and paper disagree, the paper card takes precedence (12.1.1)
- Scoring takes place after each end or set (12.1.2)
- Scorers enter arrow values in descending order as called by the athlete or the athlete's agent (12.1.3)
- Other athletes on the target check each value; disagreements are settled by the assigned judge, whose decision is final (12.1.3)
- Under alternating shooting the scorer records values in the order shot, and those unofficial values are checked at the target; the judge signs any changed score (12.1.5)
- Athletes may delegate authority to score and collect arrows to a team manager, coach, or another athlete on the same butt (12.1.6)
Set Play vs Cumulative
- Recurve and Barebow use the set system; Compound uses a cumulative score (12.1.4)
- Individual set play: the higher score in an end takes two set points, a tie gives each one (12.1.4.1)
- An individual reaching 6 set points wins the match and advances (12.1.4.1)
- Team set play: the higher-scoring team takes two set points, a tie one each, and 5 set points wins (12.1.4.2)
- Individual cumulative: totals are recorded each end and the highest total after 5 ends wins (12.1.4.3)
- Team cumulative: the highest total after four ends wins (12.1.4.4)
- In simultaneous Match Play shooting the athlete calls the arrow value and the opponent checks it, with the judge making the final call on disagreement (12.1.4)
Arrows, Ties and Ranking
- Rules govern the scoring of arrows themselves, arrows left behind, and scorecards (12.2, 12.3, 12.4)
- Ties and ranking are resolved under their own articles (12.5, 12.6)
- Where double or triple faces are used and more than one arrow lands in the same scoring area, all count as part of the end but only the lowest-value arrow scores (13.3)
7. Violations & Penalties
Losing an Arrow's Score
- An arrow shot before the start signal, after the stop signal, or out of sequence in alternating shooting costs the athlete or team the highest-scoring arrow of that end, scored as a miss (13.3)
- In a team match the same applies if any team member shoots outside the signals — the arrow counts as part of the end and the team loses its highest-scoring arrow (13.3)
- Drawing and releasing an arrow on the competition field after practice has been officially closed, before shooting starts, or during breaks — intentionally or not — costs the highest-scoring arrow of the next scoring end (13.3)
Warnings
- An athlete receives one warning for the listed offences; continuing, or not following judges' decisions, brings disqualification (13.4)
- No athlete may touch another's equipment without consent (13.4)
- No athlete may draw a bow, with or without an arrow, except when standing on the shooting line (13.4)
- Repeatedly shooting more than the permitted arrows per end, or raising the bow arm before the start signal, are warnable (13.4)
- So are repeatedly withdrawing arrows before scoring, and repeatedly touching arrows or the face before or during scoring (13.4)
- Only athletes whose turn it is to shoot may be on the shooting line, except athletes with a classified disability (13.4)
Disqualification
- Athletes breaking the following rules once scoring has commenced receive no warning — they are disqualified and lose any position gained (13.5)
- Using equipment that contravenes World Archery Rules (13.5)
- Knowingly breaking any rules and regulations, which may render the athlete ineligible to participate (13.5)
- Persisting in a dangerous drawing technique after being told to correct it (13.5)
- Altering or falsifying a score without authorisation, or knowingly having one altered (13.5)
- Unsportsmanlike conduct from an athlete or anyone assisting them — it will not be tolerated (13.5)
- A sanction against an athlete automatically applies to their coach or official (13)
Team Round Yellow Card
- A judge raises a yellow card if a team member crosses the 1 m line too soon, removes an arrow fully from the quiver before being on the shooting line, or (compound) attaches the release aid to the string before being on the line (13.6.1)
- The card requires the athlete to return behind the 1 m line and start again, or be replaced by a team-mate with arrows to shoot (13.6.1)
- If the team ignores the card and the athlete shoots, the team loses the highest-scoring arrow of that end (13.6.2)
Eligibility, Doping and Alcohol
- Breaking an eligibility rule may bring disqualification and loss of any position gained (13.1)
- Competing in a class whose requirements the athlete does not meet brings disqualification (13.1)
- Anti-doping violations are sanctioned under Book 7 (13.2)
- A positive alcohol test brings disqualification and referral to the Board of Justice and Ethics: 1 year ineligibility for a first offence, 4 years for a second, and a life ban for a third (13.2)
8. Safety Considerations
Who Enforces Safety
- The director of shooting enforces any reasonable safety measure — this is stated as a duty, not a discretion (Book 2, 3.9.3)
- The director controls the timing of ends and the order in which athletes occupy the line, which is what keeps live shooting and arrow collection separated (Book 2, 3.9.3)
- The director ensures spectators remain behind the barriers enclosing the venue (Book 2, 3.9.3)
Rules That Exist for Safety
- A bow may be drawn only when standing on the shooting line, with or without an arrow (13.4)
- The bow arm may not be raised until the start signal is given (10.3, 13.4)
- Only athletes whose turn it is to shoot may be on the shooting line (13.4)
- An athlete who persists in a dangerous drawing technique after being told to correct it is disqualified without warning (13.5)
- Coaches must stay behind the equipment line while shooting is in progress (Book 2, 7.1.1.3)
Venue and Equipment Safety
- Butts are secured to the ground so they cannot be blown or pulled over (Book 2, 7.2.1.1)
- Any part of a butt or support likely to damage an arrow is covered, with particular care where several faces share a butt so arrows passing through are not damaged (Book 2, 7.2.1.1)
- The butt front is sized so a near-miss arrow stays in the butt rather than passing beyond it (Book 2, 7.2.1)
- Judges verify distances, layout, face heights and uniform butt angles before shooting (Book 2, 3.11.1.1)
- Judges may check athletes' equipment before and at any time during the tournament (Book 2, 3.11.1.3)
Field Conditions and Conduct
- The field is oriented so athletes do not shoot into the sun (Book 2, 7.1.1.2)
- Venue altitude is capped at 1800 m without specific authorisation (Book 2, 7.1.1.1)
- Smoking, vaping and electronic cigarettes are not allowed on the field of play or the practice field (13.4)
- No athlete may touch another's equipment without consent (13.4)
