Two archery disciplines are recognized: Recurve Archery and Compound Archery. Both disciplines shoot the same set of three events at the Championships.
Any bow that uses pulleys or cams is deemed a compound. Note that while the three governing bodies for the three different events have slightly different requirements or restrictions, for the sake of simplification, the Championships uses one standard for equipment – for all events.
- Under no circumstance is “sky-drawing” permitted. No competitor shall draw a bow with the bow hand above the top of the head when drawing on a horizontal plane, parallel to the ground. Sky drawing is prohibited due to the dangers associated with equipment malfunctions while the bow is pointed in an upward position. Two warnings will be given. The third instance may require the removal of competitor from the event by the CRO or ARO.
- No arrow twirling or handling of arrows in an unsafe way. Every attempt should be made by the competitor to keep the arrow always pointed toward the ground or target. Two warnings will be given. The third instance may require the removal of competitor from the event by the CRO or ARO.
- Procedural rules, course of fire, scoring, etc. will follow the NGB unless otherwise noted.
- Hip quivers are required on the firing line. Ground quivers, bow mounted quivers, back quivers, pocket quivers, or stools with quivers are not allowed on the firing line.
- In all disciplines, when going down range, all bows must be grounded.
- No athlete may draw his/her bow, with or without an arrow, except when standing on the shooting line and permission to shoot has been given.
- In all disciplines, no coaches, parents, or spectators will be allowed on any ranges during competition. Only coaches and/or parents will be allowed on ranges for equipment failure or medical reasons with permission from CRO and/or ARO. Once a competitor begins a shooting course, he or she must finish with his or her group unless given permission to leave by a range official, or in the event of equipment failure in his or her shooting group. Any competitor or group that leaves a range without the authorization of a range official will not be allowed to continue.
- The Archery shooting range is defined as the official shooting area. Spectators will be restricted to the spectator area only. There will be designated spectator areas for all events. In all events there is no coaching, communication, signaling or contact between competitors and coaches/parents until scorecards are turned in and validated.
Archery Equipment Malfunction Rules
Competitors that experience equipment malfunctions during the Championships Archery contest shall be allowed 15 minutes to make the necessary repairs. The 15 minutes start with arrival at the designated area.
Breakdowns will be handled in the manner stated below.
- If a competitor should experience an equipment failure, they must notify the nearest range official to get their approval to work with their coach to attempt repairs. This will be performed under the supervision of a range official while on the clock.
- Once a competitor begins a shooting course, they may not exchange equipment unless there is an equipment failure as set out below.
- Equipment failures must be visible and agreed upon by the majority of the group. Equipment failure will only pertain to functioning parts of the bow, strings, cables, limbs, cams, rest, sight.
- Not included are broken arrows, broken nocks, broken or lost releases, finger tabs, or stickers on sights (sight tapes).
The procedure for dealing with equipment failures shall be as follows:
- The scorekeepers for the group shall write “equipment failure” on the scorecard of the competitor with the equipment failure and initial the scorecard.
- The scorekeepers will tabulate the competitor’s score to that point and initial the cards appropriately.
- The competitor with the equipment failure should then immediately notify a range official.
- If three or more competitors remain in the group, they may continue shooting. If two or fewer remain, they must step aside and wait for range official before proceeding. If range officials are not readily available, then the group should proceed through the range to the check station.
- In the event of a failure the competitor and equipment with coach and/or parent will be escorted to a designated area. Then in the presence of a tournament official they will be given 15 minutes to complete repairs and check sight settings.
- A range official will hold the competitor’s scorecards until the repair is completed and the competitor is escorted back onto the course by a range official. After the group has completed the designated course then they will accompany the competitor to make up any targets that were missed due to the failure.
- Any competitor leaving the range without following the guidelines as set out above may be disqualified.
- Arrow failure is NOT considered equipment failure.
Equipment Standard
Recurve: Longbows & Recurve Bows
- Permitted: One adjustable sight pin or multiple hunting style sight pins may be used; clicker and kisser buttons permitted; Competitors may have as many sight pins as deemed necessary; Torque compensators are permitted. 60 lb. maximum draw weight.
- Not Permitted: String peeps and mechanical release aids. Glass of any type in sight. Spirit levels.
Compound
- Permitted: Release aids, String peeps, optical sights, spirit levels; 60 lb. maximum draw weight. Multiple pin sights allowed.
- Not Permitted: Overdraws may not place the arrow rest further than 6 cm from the pivot point of the bow.
Arrows for Both Disciplines
- Permitted: Must meet AMO minimum weight standard; 5 grains arrow weight per pound bow peak draw weight.
- Not Permitted: Arrows larger than 27/64ths in diameter. Lighted nocks