Archery rules, for watching
Start with how a match works. Then the rules you see every few minutes, then the ones that change results.
Checked 14 October 2026
Settling an argument? Search all 21 rules
- How does scoring work in archery?
- What happens if an arrow touches a line, bounces out or hits another arrow?
- What is the ranking round in archery?
- How does the set system work in archery?
- How are compound archery matches scored?
- What is a shoot-off in archery?
- How long does an archer have to shoot?
- What do the lights and whistles mean in archery?
- What happens if an archer shoots too early, too late or drops an arrow?
- What happens if a bow breaks during a competition?
- How do team matches work in archery?
- What is a recurve bow, and what is allowed on it?
- What is a compound bow, and how do its rules differ?
- What is barebow archery?
- What are the rules for arrows in archery?
- What equipment is banned in archery?
- What are the categories in archery?
- How is an archery range laid out?
- Who decides the score of an arrow?
- What gets an archer disqualified?
- Can a coach talk to an archer during shooting, and what must archers wear?
Where these rules come from
| Tag | Document |
|---|---|
| B3 plus article | World Archery Rulebook, Book 3: Target Archery, version 2026-01-27, chapters 9 to 18, read in full |
| B2 plus article | World Archery Rulebook, Book 2: Events, version 2026-01-27: articles 3.9 to 3.13 (officials), 4.1 to 4.5 (disciplines, classes, rounds) and 7.1 to 7.2 (field of play, target faces). Downloaded 2026-10-14 |
| R | "Why the rule exists", or a point reasoned from the rule, not stated in it |
| C | Common usage or general knowledge, not a rule |
All checked on 14 October 2026. Not covered: Book 4 (field and 3D archery), Book 5 (para archery), Book 7 (anti-doping); the rest of Book 2 (world records, awards, world ranking and Olympic appendices, the match play charts); the published "Interpretations" that Book 3 lists by date under many articles; the IOC's Olympic programme.
Not covered: Book 4 (field and 3D archery), Book 5 (para archery), Book 7 (anti-doping); the rest of Book 2 (world records, awards, world ranking and Olympic appendices, the match play charts); the published "Interpretations" that Book 3 lists by date under many articles; the IOC's Olympic programme.