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Dimensions for Archery

Archery is the art of shooting arrows from a bow at a target.

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The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.

Although it is essentially an individual pursuit, it is possible to participate as a member of a team. Competitions in the sport of archery are classified in the following disciplines:

  • outdoor target archery
  • indoor target archery
  • field archery
  • clout archery
  • flight archery

Outdoor target archery

Target archery is the most popular form of archery practised worldwide. Target archery events are called rounds and these consist of a number of ends at different distances from 30m to 90m.

The targetOutdoor target archery

In outdoor target archery individual competition, athletes shoot 36 arrows at each of the following distances:

Men: 90, 70, 50 and 30 metres
Women: 70, 60, 50 and 30 metres

In the teams event, each team member shoots 24 errors per end. The target is 122cm at 70m for both men and women.

Outdoor target archery uses coloured targets which are either 122cm or 80cm in diameter. A 122cm target face is used for distances at 90m, 70m and 60m. The 80cm target face is used for distances at 50m and 30m.

Target faces have five colours with each colour being divided into two to provide 10 scoring zones. The innermost ring is given a value of 10 points, down to the outermost ring a value of 1 point. The X ring, worth 10 points, is used to break ties.
Outdoor Archery Range
The target face is attached to a wooden stand (butt) with the centre 130cm above the ground. The target butt is also angled back about 10° off vertical.

The range

The ideal archery range consists of a level area of closely cropped grass in a reasonably sheltered position. The ground is laid out in a north–south axis with the shooting direction southerly. If a backstop and/or fence are not available there must be a cleared area of not less then 50m behind the longest target. This area is fenced or sign posted to prevent vehicle or pedestrian access.

There is a clear zone of not less than 20m either side of the field of play. This area is suitably fenced and/or sign posted.

Archers stand astride a clearly defined shooting line, 5m in front of the waiting and equipment line. A spectator line is located a minimum of 10m behind the waiting and equipment line.

 

 

Indoor target archery

Indoor target archery is an international discipline shot at 18m or 25m. Targets used for indoor competitions are identical to those used in outdoor target archery competitions. Archers shoot at 25m on a 60cm target and 18m at a 40cm target. The centre face of the target is 1.3m above the floor.Indoor target archery range

Lanes may be marked on the floor to accommodate two to four archers. The waiting line is at least 3m behind the shooting line.

Lighting

Fluorescent overhead light fixtures are recommended because of the uniform illumination and lack of harsh shadows. 

Flight archery

Flight archery is the only discipline that does not involve a target — the sole object is reaching great distances.

The flight shooting field is an open, flat area. The landing area is at least 200m wide and up to 1km long. The grass must be short enough to allow arrows to be seen. The area is to be free of hazards such as trees, buildings, fences, ditches etc.

A 20m long shooting line is marked on the ground and 1m in front of this is the foul line. An area 20m long by 5m wide is roped off behind the shooting line and is used as the equipment area. A central line is marked on the ground from the minimum distance that will be shot, to 100m beyond the furthest distance expected to be recorded. Stakes are to be placed at nominal 100m intervals along the central line and appropriately labelled.

Field archery

Field archery is an outdoor discipline in which the archer takes on the terrain as well as the target. Field archery is a combination of archery, golf and bush walking. A course is set up in a bushland setting including hills, slopes, angles, light and shade.

A field course is made up either 24 or 28 targets. The archer is required to shoot either three or four arrows at each target. Distances range from 10m to 60m and target faces vary from 20cm to 80cm.

Clout archery

Clout archery is another popular discipline in Australia because of its fun aspect. Clout archery is shot over distances up to 180m, depending upon equipment used. A target measuring 15m in diameter is marked on the ground with a triangular marker or ‘clout’ placed at its centre. Archers shoot their arrows in the air attempting to land the arrows in the target.

The various scoring areas are marked with small coloured flags. These flags are located at each side of the clout flag in a straight line, at right angles to the direction of shooting and at 1.5m spacings. The flags relative to the target centre are coloured yellow, red, pale blue, black and white respectively.

Clout archery

 
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