• Cheshire County Bowmen Archery Club
  • Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas Newton lane, Chester

Archery Etiquette

As a new archer you may have lots of questions about what you should or shouldn’t do either at your club training session or maybe at a competition. Below is a list of basic points that will help you to understand general etiquette, rules and safety of archery.. 

Prior to and During Shooting the following should be noted.

  • Always help to put out targets and faces etc.  before setting up your own equipment and also put away any equipment you have used when finished.
  • Don’t start to shoot until given the appropriate instruction. If you don’t know the local methods of giving commands (verbal, whistles etc) then ASK!
  • Always shout “FAST” if you spot any danger during shooting.
  • Never talk in a loud voice whilst others are shooting.
  • Wait on the shooting line while a neighbour is at full draw only leaving when they have shot their arrow.
  • Do not move forward of the shooting line for any reason (not even to collect a dropped arrow), until the appropriate command is given by the field captain.
  • Never draw your bow or knock an arrow, except when on the shooting line.
  • Never shoot when you see anyone within the safety areas
  • Don’t touch other archers equipment unless they have given you permission.
  • Should you damage another person’s equipment, you should make immediate arrangements to pay for repair or replacement as appropriate.
  • Refrain from walking up and down the shooting line comparing others scores.
  • Don’t try to shoot distances beyond your capability causing delays whilst looking for arrows. (Start with shorter distances and work up to the longer distances).
  • Always know how many arrows you have shot and how many are in your quiver.
  • Turn off mobile phones or put on silent as not to disturb other archers when shooting.
  • Do not smoke of the shooting line or waiting line.
  • Always take any litter home with you at the end of the session or competition.
  • Refrain from packing up your equipment until the last archer has finished as not to disturb their concentration.
  • Always wear appropriate clothing at competitions. Camouflage or denim are not acceptable and you may be told you are unable to shoot in the competition.
  • Always wear closed toe shoes or trainers. Open toe or flip flops are not acceptable.

When scoring the following points should be noted.

  • Wait until scores have been taken before you search for any missed arrows.
  • When calling scores, do so in groups of three, and in descending order, for example, ‘X-10-9’ pause ‘9-8-7’
  • While calling scores, point to each arrow as it is called, without touching the arrow or target face
  • Do not touch any arrow or the target face until all arrow values have been recorded and checked.
  • Only remove the arrows of others if this has been agreed by them.
  • Always thank the Target Captain for the work done by them at the end of the round.
  • Call for a judge if in doubt as to an arrows scoring value.

If in any doubt about something always ask a fellow club member and you will always be given any help and advice you need…