What happens if an arrow touches a line, bounces out or hits another arrow?
I · Intermediate · Scoring and winning · 1 of 6An arrow whose shaft touches the line between two rings scores the higher value. An arrow that bounces out scores where it left its mark, and one that passes through scores by its hole. An arrow stuck in the nock of another scores the same as the arrow it hit.
How it works
- The score is judged by where the shaft sits in the face, not the hole or the fletching.
- Touching a dividing line, or two colours: the higher value.
- Nothing on the target, neither arrows nor face, may be touched until every arrow has been scored.
- Arrow into another arrow's nock, staying there: the value of the arrow struck.
- Arrow deflecting off another into the face: where it ends up.
- Arrow hitting another and rebounding: the value of the arrow struck, if the damaged arrow can be identified.
- Rebound off the target: scored by the mark it made, if the mark can be identified.
- Hanging arrow: scored where its point is in the face.
- Pass-through: scored by the hole, if a judge is satisfied it went through.
- If more than one unmarked hole is found, the lowest counts. This is why archers mark every arrow hole with a short line when they pull their arrows.
- Arrow in someone else's target: a miss, and it counts as one of the end's arrows.
- Too many arrows shot in an end: only the lowest three (or six) count.
Tricky cases
The arrow is touching the line. Which score does it get?
The higher one.
An arrow bounced off the target. Does it count?
Yes, if the mark it made can be found. It scores the value of that mark.
An archer shot four arrows in a three-arrow end. What happens?
Only the three lowest-scoring arrows count.
Can an archer pull the arrow slightly to see where it sits?
No. Arrows and face may not be touched until all the values are recorded. A judge decides any doubt, and that decision is final.
Why the rule exists
Every arrow must end up with exactly one score that both archers and a judge can check. The rules give the archer the benefit of a line and of a lucky nock hit, but not of an unmarked hole.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Archery rules | As above | B3 12.2 |
| Match play | A rebound, pass-through or hanging arrow does not stop the match | B3 12.2.7 |
| Triple faces indoors | Two arrows in the same small face: only the lower one scores | B3 12.2.2.2 |
From the rule book
World Archery Rulebook, Book 3, Articles 12.2 to 12.2.7 and 17.2. Version of 27 January 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Archery Rulebook (PDF).