The bow and arrow have been around for centuries. Cultures on all continents used the bow and arrow to defend themselves and feed their tribes. Not a mainstay for either use today, enthusiasts of the bow and arrow continue to practice the art in the form of archery. Archers enjoy shooting targets, game, fish and foul with a variety of traditional and specialized variants of the bow and arrow. Archers compete at every level--from the local club to the Olympics.
Scoring
Archers shoot arrows at a paper target, with 10 scoring rings, each ring having a point value from 1 to 10 points, 10 being the highest point value. The target is set 229 feet, 8 inches from shooting line, with the center of the target 4 feet, 3 inches above the ground. The target is most often made of paper. The archery target is often leaning back, at an angle of 5 to 10 degrees.
Sighting
In longbow competition, sighting devices are not used. Sighting must be manually, with only the human eye. Also prohibited are levels and other markers. Freestyle longbow allows for a sighting device, without magnification features.
String
The archer can use any color string; however the color center serving must be one color. An archer can use a single nock point, as well as brush buttons and string silencers, correctly placed.
Anchor Points
The archer can use a single anchor point.
Bows and Arrows
Bows allowed in competition may be constructed from wood, fiberglass, graphite or carbon composites and are equipped with stabilizers, to reduce the twist of the arrow upon release. Competitive bows often have sights, without magnification aids. The arrows are constructed either of aluminum or carbon composites. The arrows must be the same length, diameter, weight and fletching.
Bow Slings
A competitor can use a bow sling.
Legal Releases
Gloves, tabs and fingers are all examples of legal releases. Competitors having physical disabilities can use a chew strap in place of the previous examples. When nocked, the archer will draw the arrow back with his index finger. Throughout the competition, he must not change or alter his finger positioning.
Counterbalancing
In competitive archery, stabilizers and counterbalancing devices are illegal.
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