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Version published: 4 April 2025

8.Chapter 8Field of Play setup - Field Archery

8.1.Course Layout

8.1.1.

The field course shall be arranged so that the shooting positions and the targets can be reached without undue difficulty, hazard or waste of time. Field courses should be as condensed as possible.

8.1.1.1.

The walking distance from the central (assembly) area to the furthest target should be no more than 1km or 15 minutes normal walking.

8.1.1.2.

The course makers shall prepare safe paths for Judges, medical personnel and to allow for transportation of equipment round the course(s) while shooting is in progress.

8.1.1.3.

The course(s) shall not be positioned higher than 1800m above sea level and the maximum difference between the highest and the lowest point in a course shall not be more than 100m.

8.1.1.4.

The targets shall be laid out in such order as to allow maximum variety and best use of the terrain. In the Finals Round two butts shall be placed side by side at each target on which a 60cm or 80cm target face is placed.

8.1.1.5.

At all targets, one shooting peg for each distance shall be placed in such a way as to allow at least two athletes to shoot at the same time from either side of the shooting peg.

8.1.1.6.

All shooting pegs shall be marked with the distance when marked distances are to be shot. The shooting pegs shall have different colours, corresponding to each group of categories as follows:
  • Blue for the Barebow, U18 Recurve and U18 Compound;
  • Red for the Recurve and Compound;
  • Yellow for the U18 Barebow.

8.1.1.7.

The tolerances are:
  • For distances 15m or less ±25cm;
  • For distances between 16-60m ±1m.
However, the distances given in 8.1.1.10. Unit for Marked Course may be adjusted by ±2m. The correct distance shall be marked on the shooting peg.
The distance should be measured in the air approximately 1.5-2m above the ground. All kinds of measuring equipment can be used as long as it satisfies the tolerances.

8.1.1.8.

With respect to target butts and target faces:

8.1.1.8.1.

The butts shall provide a margin to allow all scoring arrows to be in the butt.

8.1.1.8.2.

At no point may any target face be less than 15cm from the ground.

8.1.1.8.3.

In all instances, regardless of the terrain, the buttress should be placed perpendicular to the athlete’s line of sight from the shooting peg in order to present the target face’s full picture.

8.1.1.8.4.

At all times the full scoring zone shall be visible from a height of 150cm.

8.1.1.9.Unit for Unmarked Course

Number of targets
12 targets in a unit
Min- Max #
Diameter of Field Faces
in cm
Yellow Peg
Barebow U18
Longbow*
(in metres)
Blue Peg
Recurve U18
Compound U18 Barebow
Traditional
(in metres)
Red Peg
Recurve and Compound
(in metres)
2-4 20 5 to 10 5 to 10 10 to 15
2-4 40 10 to 15 10 to 20 15 to 25
2-4 60 15 to 25 15 to 30 20 to 35
2-4 80 20 to 35 30 to 45 35 to 55
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8.1.1.9.1.

The distances of the targets faces of the same size should vary between long, medium and shot distances and it is recommended to use different sizes of buttresses.

8.1.1.10.Unit for Marked Course

Number of targets
12 targets in a unit
Min- Max #
Diameter of Field Faces
in cm
Yellow Peg
Barebow U18
Longbow*
(in metres)
Blue Peg
Recurve U18
Compound U18 Barebow
Traditional
(in metres)
Red Peg
Recurve and Compound
(in metres)
3 20 5, 10, 15 5, 10, 15 10, 15, 20
3 40 10, 15, 20 15, 20, 25 20, 25, 30
3 60 20, 25, 30 30, 35, 40 35, 40, 45
3 80 30, 35, 40 40, 45, 50 50, 55, 60

8.1.1.10.1.

The set distances may be adjusted with ±2m if needed, however the new measured distance shall be displayed on the peg. On marked rounds a double 60cm target face setup is recommended.

8.1.1.11.Elimination Rounds

The Elimination Round consists of 6 marked targets per match. Each set of 6 targets will have a mix of all face sizes (20/40/60/80) and all distances will be pegged (short/medium/long). Organisers will lay the course with consideration to the venue, the terrain and the lay of the land.

8.1.1.12.Finals Rounds (and Team quarter-finals)

The semi final and final consist of four marked targets in each match with marked distances. During the finals the targets can be placed at the organiser wishes taking into consideration the terrain, lay of the ground and venue. All target faces (20/40/60/80) must be used and there should be a mix of short, medium and long distances.

8.1.1.12.1.

In the Mixed Team when shooting at 20cm face, each team will shoot at a 2x2 set up, one arrow in each.

8.1.1.13.

All targets shall be numbered in succession from 1 to 24. The numbers shall be be clearly visible to archers and clearly identify the target number. They shall be placed 5-10m before reaching the shooting pegs for that target.

8.1.1.14.

The target numbers shall also function as the waiting area for the groups waiting for their turn to shoot. The members of the group shooting that target can be forward of the number board to assist with shading and spotting as necessary. From the waiting area it should be possible to see if anybody is standing at the peg.

8.1.1.15.

Clearly visible direction signs indicating the route from target to target shall be placed at adequate intervals to ensure safe and easy movement along the course.

8.1.1.16.

Suitable barriers shall be placed around the course, wherever necessary, to keep spectators at a safe distance while still giving them the best possible view of the competition. Only those persons having the proper accreditation shall be allowed on the course inside of the barriers.

8.1.1.17.

The assembly area should contain:
  • A communication system allowing contact with the chairperson of the Tournament Judge Commission and the organisers;
  • Adequate shelter for team officials;
  • Separate shelter for the Jury of Appeal and the chairperson of the Judge Commission;
  • Guarded shelter for the athletes gear and spare equipment;
  • Practice targets on the competition days near the assembly point(s) for the athletes;
  • Refreshment facilities;
  • Toilets.

8.1.1.18.

The course(s) shall be completed and ready for inspection no later than 16 hours before the shooting starts. At World Championships they shall be ready along with details of any modifications to those courses for use as Elimination or Final Rounds, no later than the morning of two days before the shooting starts.

8.2.Venue Equipment and Scoring Zones

8.2.1.

The Field Face.
There are four field target faces :
  • The 80cm face;
  • The 60cm face;
  • The 40cm face;
  • The 20cm face.
Only those faces produced by a manufacturer licensed by World Archery shall be used at World Archery competitions.

8.2.1.1.

Description.
The face consists of a yellow centre spot and four equal scoring zones.
The yellow zone is divided into two scoring zones.
The inner ring is scored as 6 and the outer yellow zone as 5.
The two zones shall be divided by a black line of maximum 1mm in width. The rest of the face shall be black. The four scoring zones shall be divided by white lines of maximum 1mm in width. There are no dividing lines between yellow and black.
Any dividing lines shall be in the higher scoring zones. The centre of the target face shall be indicated by a small "+" (cross). The lines of the cross shall not exceed 1mm in width and 4mm in length.
Drawing of the Field face see 1-6 Scoring Zones Target Face for Field.

8.2.1.2.

Scoring Values, Colour Specifications and Tolerances.
Diameter of faces and of scoring zones in cm
Colour Score Diameter Tolerance ± (mm)
20 40 60 80
Yellow 6 2 4 6 8 1
Yellow 5 4 8 12 16 1
Black 4 8 16 24 32 1
Black 3 12 24 36 48 2
Black 2 16 32 48 64 2
Black 1 20 40 60 80 2

8.2.1.3.

Target set-up.
  • The 20cm and 40cm faces may be placed at any angle provided is still obvious which face or column the athlete is to shoot;
  • 20cm faces shall be 12 per butt in four columns of three;
  • 40cm faces shall be placed four per butt;
  • 60cm faces: On marked rounds a double 60cm target face setup is recommended and their centres should be positioned so that both archers have an equal shot.