Laleham Archery Club

Rounds and Scoring

Target Archery Rounds

This page shows the different rounds that are shot in Target Archery, the charts display the round names, distance(s), number of arrows shot (in dozens) and the size of the target face used.

Scoring

Standard target faces are marked with 10 evenly spaced concentric rings, which generally have score values from 1 through 10 assigned to them, except in outdoor Imperial rounds under Archery GB rules, where they have score values 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. In addition, there is an inner 10 ring, sometimes called the X ring. This becomes the 10 ring at indoor compound competitions. Outdoors, it serves as a tiebreaker with the archer scoring the most X's winning. The number of hits may also be taken into account as another tiebreaker. In archery, targets are coloured as follows:

• 1 ring & 2 ring - white
• 3 ring & 4 ring - black
• 5 ring & 6 ring - blue
• 7 ring & 8 ring - red
• 9 ring & 10 ring - gold

Archers score each end by adding up the scores for their arrows. An arrow just touching a scoring boundary line, known as a Line Breaker or Line Cutter, will be awarded the higher score. Values scored by each arrow are recorded on a score sheet and must be written in descending order (e.g. if an archer scores 5, 7, 6, 10, 9, 8, this must be recorded as 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5). Arrows must not be touched before and during scoring. This is so that if there is disputed arrow score, a judge may be called and the judge will make a ruling on how the arrow lies. The archer in charge of scoring on a target at a tournament is known as the "Target Captain" and in larger tournaments, they may be assisted by a "Target Lieutenant". If there is a dispute regarding scoring it is down to all archers on the target to reach a consensus. If they cannot agree the value of an arrow then the Judge/Field Captain is called and their decision is final.

Under World Archery (WA) rules, in major tournaments, each hole is marked after scoring and before the arrows are drawn. In the event of a "pass through" (the arrow passes straight through the target) or "bouncer" (arrow hits the target and bounces out), points may be awarded to an unmarked hole. Under Archery GB rules, and in some smaller tournaments, in the case of a bouncer, the archer must step off the shooting line and hold their bow in the air. A judge will then make a decision as to whether the archer is permitted to shoot a replacement arrow. If an archer accidentally shoots more arrows than they are allowed, the highest scoring arrow is not counted.

Different rounds and distances use different size target faces. Common sizes (and example rounds they are used in) are:

• 40cm (18m WA Indoor)
• 60cm (25m WA Indoor)
• 80cm (30m and 50m WA)
• 122cm (70m and 90m WA)

122cm faces are used in Olympic competition. There are also versions of the 40cm and 60cm targets known as the "3 Spot". The targets contain 3 instances of the inner 5 rings of the 40cm and 60cm faces arranged in a line or an equilateral triangle. This is to stop competitors from damaging their own arrows by shooting a "Robin Hood"

Outdoor Imperial Rounds

These rounds use 5-zone scoring, as opposed to the usual 10-zone scoring. The points are awarded as follows: 9 for a gold, 7 for a red, 5 for a blue, 3 for a black and 1 for a white. Arrows are shot at increasingly closer distances - for example, in a York round, an archer would shoot 6 dozen at 100 yards, then 4 dozen at 80 yards, followed by 2 dozen at 60 yards. Sighters (practice arrows that are not scored) are shot for the furthest distance only.

Outdoor Metric Rounds

These rounds use standard 10-zone scoring. Arrows are shot at increasingly closer distances - for example, in a Gents WA round, an archer would shoot 3 dozen at 90 metres, followed by 3 dozen at 70 metres, then 3 dozen at 50 metres and, finally, 3 dozen at 30 metres. Sighters (practice arrows that are not scored) are shot for the furthest distance only.

Indoor Rounds

These rounds use standard 10-zone scoring. To use this table, go down the first column to find the round you want. Then, go across the row; the second column tells you what distance you shoot at (most indoor rounds are shot at only one distance), the third tells you how many arrows you shoot at this distance and the final column shows the size of the target face.