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)