Shooting etiquette

A Good Archer

  • Does not talk in a loud voice whilst others are shooting.
  • Does not talk to another Archer who obviously prefers to be silent.
  • Does not make any exclamation on the shooting line that might disconcert a neighbour in the act of shooting.
  • Does not go behind the target to retrieve his arrows before his score has been recorded.
  • Does not touch anyone else’s equipment without permission.
  • Always check before pulling another’s archers arrows as they may be scoring or may not wish anyone to pull their arrows from the target.
  • Always offer to pay for a replacement arrow If you break a arrow of another archer other then through hitting it with another arrow.

Basic safety rules

While waiting for archers to return from the targets, stand back from the shooting line and ensure your arrows are in the quiver. They should never be attached to the bow unless the field is clear and you are standing on the shooting line ready to shoot.

No archer may draw his or her bow, with or without an arrow, except when standing at the shooting line. The archer shall aim toward the targets but only after being satisfied that the field is clear.

When drawing back the string of the bow an archer shall not use any technique which, could, if accidentally loosed, allow the arrow to fly beyond a safety zone or net. When Indoors and you need to comedown from a shoot. always keep you bow parallel to the floor, to avoid possible ricochets.

If anyone (archer or non-archer) becomes aware that shooting should be halted for safety reasons, that person must call “FAST”. On hearing this call, all archers must immediately stop shooting even if you are at full draw, removing any arrow from the bow and returning the unshot arrows to the quiver. If necessary, the call of “FAST” should be repeated by other archers to ensure that everyone has heard and stopped shooting.

For safety of everyone, equipment including bows are to be positioned behind the shooting line. When indoors there should be a clear walking space between the bows and the shooting line. Outside the bows should be behind the equipment/waiting line.

Further information: Archery-Etiquette.pdf