Archery Rules
Archery Rules
Archery, the art of propelling arrows toward a designated target using a strung bow, boasts a history that may extend back millennia, reaching as far as the Stone Age around 20,000 BC. Bows and arrows were employed by diverse societies for hunting and warfare purposes. From ancient Egyptians to the Shang dynasty of China (1766-1027 BC), Attila the Hun's warriors to the grand civilizations of the Assyrians, Persians, and Pathians, archery was universally embraced.
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The imperative to master archery, be it for hunters or soldiers, naturally led to its practice. This practice, in turn, gave rise to organized contests, with the earliest recorded event occurring in Finsbury, England, in 1583, featuring a participation of 3,000 individuals. The advent of firearms may have diminished archery's battlefield relevance, but it persisted as a recreational pursuit, with regular competitions held in various nations. Archery made its Olympic debut in 1900 for men, and in 1904 for women, representing one of the earliest sports to include female competitors. Subsequently, it featured in the 1908 and 1920 games, underwent a hiatus for several decades, and was later reintroduced in 1972, becoming a staple of the Olympics.
Objective of the Sport:
Competitive archery, involving archers aiming their arrows at a target, takes on various forms, all sharing a common goal: to strike the target's center as closely as possible. In the Olympic context, competitors shoot at a target from a 70-meter distance, with rounds comprising a ranking phase, where overall scores dictate athletes' rankings before transitioning to a head-to-head elimination format.
Participants and Equipment:
While only one archer wields a bow at any given moment, both individual and team competitions are pursued. Archers must possess a bow, defined by the World Archery Federation (WA) as "an apparatus comprising a handle (grip), riser (non-shoot-through type), and two flexible limbs, each culminating in a tip equipped with a string nock."
The bowstring may contain any number of strands as long as it suits the bow. Moreover, an adjustable arrow rest and a bow sight are permissible accessories. Restrictions on arrow types are minimal, except those that could cause undue damage to targets. The maximum arrow shaft diameter should not exceed 9.3mm, and the tip diameter should remain below 9.4mm. Each archer's arrows must bear their name or initials on the shaft, with all arrows employed in a specific round (or "end") needing to be identical.
Finger protection, encompassing tape or gloves, is allowed, along with chest protectors, arm guards, and similar accessories that provide no unfair advantage, serving primarily for protection or comfort enhancement.
The target's dimensions vary, with Olympic archery targets measuring 122cm in diameter. They all feature ten concentric rings, representing distinct scoring sections. The outermost two rings, designated one ring and two ring, are white. Three and four are black, five and six are blue, seven and eight are red, while nine and ten, the innermost rings, gleam in gold. The ten ring also boasts an inner ring, known as the "inner 10" or "X ring," occasionally used to resolve ties.
Scoring:
Scoring in archery is straightforward, merely involving the summation of points based on arrow placements on the target. The highest score for a single arrow is ten for hitting the inner gold ring, while the lowest, for striking the outer white ring, awards a single point. Arrows that completely miss the target do not register any points.
In Olympic competitions, athletes shoot 72 arrows in twelve phases, with the cumulative score determining their rankings. This sets the stage for a head-to-head knockout competition where archers must outscore their opponents. Tournament formats, arrow counts, and target distances may vary.
Determining the Victor:
The victor in an archery competition hinges on the specifics of the tournament at hand. It could be the individual with the highest cumulative score after a designated number of arrows or the one who successfully overcomes all opponents in a knockout scenario.
In case of a tie, the archer with the most tens, including inner tens, secures victory. If this count remains identical, the archer with the greater number of inner tens prevails. Alternatively, a shoot-off may be employed to differentiate tied competitors.
Rules of Archery:
- Archery is governed by a set of regulations that must be meticulously observed by participants to ensure the integrity of the sport. The primary focus is on preventing the use of equipment or accessories that could confer an unjust advantage upon one's competitors.
- The time allocated for releasing arrows is governed by specific rules. In the case of a set of three arrows, archers are allowed a maximum of two minutes. When dealing with a set of six arrows, the permissible time frame extends to four minutes.
- Additionally, a strict protocol governs the initiation of each shooting sequence. Athletes are prohibited from raising their bow arm until the official signal to commence is given. Deviations from this protocol can result in penalties, usually in the form of point deductions.
- Once an arrow has been released, there is a fundamental rule that must be adhered to: no arrow can be re-shot under any circumstances. However, exceptions are made when an arrow falls from the bow, misfires, or if the target becomes dislodged or falls over. In such instances, additional time may be granted to accommodate these exceptional circumstances.
- Arrows that rebound or cling to the target's surface, even if they mimic the iconic "Robin Hood" scenario, are still subject to scoring based on the impressions they make on the target face. Such arrows score the same as the original arrow they are embedded in.
- The enforcement of rules within the sport is rigorous. Athletes who breach these regulations may face severe consequences, ranging from disqualification to point deductions or even competition bans, depending on the severity of the violation.
- In cases where equipment is damaged, participants have the right to appeal to the judge for the replacement or repair of their equipment. Any allowances regarding time extensions are subject to the discretion of the judge overseeing the competition.
