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🏛️Official — World Archery
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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...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a bow can be any shape they want as long as it has limbs and a string, forgetting about the crucial aspect of bracing by a single string directly between the nocks. This misunderstanding leads to arguments over whether certain unconventional designs meet the official definition of a bow in target archery.
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....
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 setti...
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 ...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that archers can raise their bow arms whenever they want during a shot, thinking it's just about when to start shooting. However, the actual rule states that athletes must wait until the signal to start before raising their bow arm, which leads to misunderstandings and arguments about timing and proper technique.
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)
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 p...
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);...
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...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that ties are resolved by counting all arrows in a scoring area as part of the end score, which isn't entirely accurate. The actual resolution process is more complex, involving specific articles (12.5 and 12.6) that dictate how to rank tied scores beyond just adding up all arrows.
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 ...
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 setti...
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 pa...
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....
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)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that accessories are only allowed for their own division, like Recurve archers thinking they can use sights just because Compound archers do. However, the official rule clearly states that all divisions have access to listed accessories and visual aids, regardless of what other divisions might be using.
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)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that failing a doping test in archery only results in a fine or suspension, forgetting that it can lead to disqualification if the athlete is competing in an event they're not qualified for due to their clean status. The confusion arises because these two scenarios are treated as separate issues under different sections of the World Archery rules.
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)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the orientation of the field is solely about avoiding direct sunlight on their target, forgetting that it also prevents glare from hitting other competitors' targets, leading to unfair conditions for all. The confusion arises because they overlook how even minor adjustments in angle can significantly affect visibility and shooting accuracy across multiple targets.
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 Hem...
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 ...
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 p...
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)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that other officials are just there for show or to meddle in decisions, but actually, their role is crucial - they ensure fair play by overseeing scorers and deciding shooting positions through a draw process, which helps maintain impartiality and transparency in the competition.
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 competit...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that practice with the tournament range is limited to just 3 ends, forgetting that it can span multiple days if necessary, leading them to think they have a strict time limit for their entire practice session. The confusion arises because the rule specifies how many ends are in each practice session but not on its duration.
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 bu...
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)
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)
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)
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 ...
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 concen...
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 lin...
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)
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, ...
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...
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 qualific...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the 20-second-per-arrow timing only applies during shoot-offs, so they argue about why their score isn't affected when it's used in other parts of a match too. The confusion arises because this specific rule detail is not widely publicized or explained clearly at World Ranking Events, leading to misunderstandings and disputes among competitors.
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 ...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that securing a butt only means using ropes or straps, forgetting about other methods like wedges or pegs, leading to misunderstandings on how to properly secure their equipment safely. Additionally, there's confusion around what exactly constitutes "damage" to an arrow and where the specific sizing of the front end should be applied within the rulebook.
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 ...
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);...