How Do Archery Tournaments Work?- Everything You Need To Know

Archery tournaments are an exciting way to break up the monotony of shooting at targets in your backyard. How do archery tournaments work? They can be either individual or team competitions, and they usually involve both accuracy and speed rounds. Read on for more information about what you need to know before heading.

An archery tournament is a competition between archers. Archery tournaments are typically run according to the rules of the FITA (Fédération Internationale de Tir à l’Arc) or World Archery Federation

What are the types of archery tournaments?

The main divisions for informal target archery tournaments are:

  • recurve
  • compound

There is also a division for disabled archers called W1, and traditional bows for competition in their own right such as barebow, longbow, or flatbow. There are other classes of bow that provide their own separate competitions such as crossbows (CUSA) and 3D bows.

What are the main things to consider?

When you have your first archery tournament there are a few considerations that you should make. The type of equipment that you use is very important as it will give your competitors an idea about what they can expect from you during the games. You should also make sure that you keep your equipment up to date, as well as keeping them in good condition. You should also make sure that you plan ahead. You don’t want to be starting the competition with half of your arrows missing because they fell out of your quiver (or whatever other case you are using).

Who can participate?

In informal target archery, people from all ages have been able to participate in tournaments. In the United States, each tournament determines its own age groups and may vary from state to state. However, a good rule of thumb is to group competitors by their grade level in school. This allows tournament directors and parents to know roughly what percentage of competitors are eligible to compete in each division. A tournament director may choose to have multiple divisions within a grade level, for example one for younger competitors and another for older competitors.

Field Archery Tournaments

In field archery, tournaments can also be shot indoors and out. One of the differences, however, is that while you may be shooting in a straight line – you will also be shooting at targets that are uphill, downhill and more.


The added challenge of shooting at various distances, angles and target that may be partially obscured is part of what makes field archery so interesting. The targets may or may not have marked distances – meaning you may have to judge the yardage yourself. The extra skill and talent it takes to shoot field archery is sometimes called fieldcraft.


Normally, outdoor field archery is shot in small groups of archers, each taking turns shooting. You will walk a course outdoors, stopping to shoot at each target along the course. In field archery you’ll be shooting at one of three different types of targets, depending on which type of “rounds” you’re shooting. There are hunter rounds, field rounds and animal rounds, each with their own unique targets and scoring.

How Do Archery Tournaments Work?

Individual Competitions

The equipment is usually provided, so all you have to do is show up. However, there are some rules around what types of bows are allowed in the competition. Some competitions might allow recurve or compound bows while others only permit traditional equipment. How do archery tournaments work at a local level? This is usually determined by the number of participants and equipment available on that particular day.

Team Competitions

There are generally three team members, with two shooting in each round: one teammate shoots first while the other provides moral support and encouragement from the sidelines. How do archery tournaments work at a local level? This is usually determined by the number of participants and equipment available on that particular day.

Accuracy Rounds

In this type of competition, each team member shoots three arrows at a target from 20 or 30 yards away. How do archery tournaments work at a local level? This is usually determined by the number of participants and equipment available on that particular day.

Speed Rounds

In this type of competition, each team member shoots three arrows as quickly as possible with only a few seconds of rest in between. How do archery tournaments work at a local level? This is usually determined by the number of participants and equipment available on that particular day.

Target Archery Tournament Scoring

The circle within a circle type of target used in target archery is scored quite simply. The scores run from ten down to one, with the scores getting lower the further away from the center of the target you hit. Each different colored section away from the bullseye your arrow hits, the score gets lower.

The “bullseye” is worth ten points and is mainly referred to as the X ring, as there’s a little X on it if you look closely. It’s also used for tie breakers – whoever shoots closest to the X wins. The only difference is in tournaments or competitions using AGB rules.

In AGB rules, the different scoring areas are worth nine, seven, five, three and one, respectively. Competitors will score each end of the tournament by adding up the total score of all of their shots through the entire competition, and the winners are announced.

Best way to prepare for an archery tournament

Preparation is everything when it comes to shooting in an archery tournament. Practice at home as much as you can, and make sure your equipment is ready for the big day. In order to avoid disruptions during a tournament, many would-be competitors will dry fire their bows before a big match or run through all of the mechanics of the shot without actually firing an arrow.

This ensures that everything is working properly with your equipment, and you’ll be able to shoot your best when it’s time to compete. If there is a problem with any of your gear (the bowstring snaps or one of your arrows breaks) during the course of competition, don’t hesitate to ask for help. If you can’t find someone to assist you, let the judges know what happened so you don’t get points taken off your score by mistake.

Remember that the best equipment in the world isn’t going to do any good if you aren’t showing up ready to shoot! Get out there and practice as much as possible before the big day.

Tips to stay safe while shooting in an archery tournament

Safety is always important, so make sure you pay attention to all of the rules and guidelines for tournaments as set by the National Field Archery Association. Some general safety tips include: always wear your armguard if using one, keep your bow pointed downrange at all times, and never try to catch an arrow that’s still in the air.

How can I participate in an archery tournament locally?

There are many different types of archery tournaments that you can participate in, both locally and around the world. One example is The Vegas Shoot, which takes place every year. This particular tournament features three different sets of contests: Masters, Ladies and Juniors.

The next part is up to you! If you’re interested in starting your own archery club or tournament, contact the National Field Archery Association for all of the steps it takes to get started.

If you want to shoot alongside other archers locally, look online for local clubs and tournaments that fit your needs. A few examples

You can find more information here: http://www.archerymasterss