Archery - Variants

Archery is of different types which is used in different types of competitions. Some competitions use more than one discipline while some have single ones. Here we will discuss different variants of archery.

Target Archery

Target archery is one of the most popular variants of archery. It is a game in which an archer has to shoot a fixed number of arrows from a distance at a stationary target. The target consists of 10 rings and the more an archer’s arrow closer to the center, the more points he or she earns.

If an archer shoots at the center, he gets 10 points while one point is awarded for the farthest ring. The distance of the target in the indoor archery competitions is 16 meters while for outdoor, it is 70 meters.

Olympic Archery

Olympic archery is a type of target archery but has different rules. Only recurve bows are used in the Olympic Archery The first competition of archery was held in the 1900 Olympics. Different types of competitions are held which include a team event, a male event, and a female event. Besides recurve bows, archers have to use other pieces of equipment like sights, stabilizers, and clickers. The distance of the target is 70 meters and the size of the target is 1.22 meters.

Target Archery

Field Archery

Field archery is also a popular variant of archery in which any kind of bow is used for practice and to play the game. Recurve bows, traditional bows, and other kinds of bows can be used in this competition. People with various skills and ages can participate in the competition. Fields similar to golf are used to conduct the competition.

3D Archery

3D archery is a variant of archery in which targets are set that look similar to the animals. The targets are set in similar ways like field archery. The game is arranged to provide a hunting experience to the archers. 3D archery competitions are also held in which the scoring system is different from the target archery. Different markings are made on the animal and points are awarded accordingly.

Flight Archery

Flight archery is another variant of archery but is not much popular. The aim of this archery is to shoot an arrow at the farthest possible distance. The arrow is shot from a single standing position but sometimes a foot bow is also used in which archers have to push the bow forward with their feet. After that, they can pull the string with their hands.

Clout Archery

Clout archery is a variant of archery in which archers have to shoot an arrow as close to clout as possible. A flag may also be used instead of clout and archers have to shoot arrows near the flag. Clout archery requires a lot of space as flags or clouts have to be placed at different distances.

Ski Archery

Ski archery was started in Norway in the 16th century but it got recognition in 1991 in spite of its popularity before 1991. Archers have to ski on a course and have to keep their bows and arrows. The length of the course is between 5 to 7.5 miles. Archers have to stop at different places and shoot at the targets whose distance is 18 meters. No points are awarded in this game. If an archer misses a shot, he or she has to move 350 meters as a penalty without hitting any target. The winner of the match is the archer who has completed the course first.

Run Archery

Run Archery is similar to the Ski archery. This is a variant of archery in which archers have to run in a course and stop to shoot arrows at different targets. The archer who first reaches the finishing line wins the game. Archers have to hold the bow in their hands and if arrows are kept by the shooting line, archers can pick them up. A flat open course is suitable for this game.

Mounted Archery

Mounted archery is considered as one of the toughest variants of archery. It is not very popular. Archers have to ride on a horse and shoot the targets. A horse rider has to follow a fixed track and has to hit 3 or 5 targets in the way. The distance of targets is only a few meters. Archers can shoot from front, back, overhead, and behind himself but it depends on the type of track. The results depend on the accuracy of the archers and the time taken to complete the course.

Kyudo

Kyudo is a martial art from Japan in which bows and arrows are used. The technique of playing this game is taught in Japan only. Another thing is that this game is different from archery. The bow used in this game is termed as yumi and is of asymmetrical shape. Bamboo is used to make these bows. These bows are longer than the longbows.

Popinjay

Popinjay is a form of archery which is not very popular but many annual events are held. This variant of archery is much popular in Belgium. In this game, different replicas of birds are attached to poles or towers and archers have to shoot them with blunt bows. The birds must be knocked down so that points can be awarded. If the shots are challenging, more points are awarded in comparison to the easy shots.

Bow Hunting

Bow hunting is a game in which archers have to hunt with bows and arrows. Powerful compound bows and broad-head arrows are used in this game. The most popular target in this game is deer. Besides this, other large animals like elk, boars, bears, and moose are also the targets. Small targets like rabbits, raccoons, turkeys, and other small animals are also hunted. Bow hunting depends on local regulations and weather conditions.

Bow Fishing

Bow Fishing is a combination of bow hunting and spearfishing. This is a variant of archery in which a fishing reel is attached to a bow and special arrows are attached to the reel. Archers have to shoot the fish with the help of bows and arrows.

Crossbow Archery

This is a variant of archery in which crossbows are used and three disciplines are included which are −

  • 30m Match crossbow

  • 10m Match crossbow

  • Field crossbow

Archers have a limited time of three minutes to shoot three arrows.

Roving Marks

Roving Marks is considered as one of the oldest variants of archery as it was played in the times of Henry VIII. In this competition, there were marks or flags on the field and archers had to be shot at each mark to gain points.

Beursault

This is a type of archery variant which is popular in Belgium and France. Two targets are set which face each other and the distance between them is 50 m. Archers have to stand at one target and shoot the other one.

Wand Shoot

Wand Shoot is an archery variant in which a vertical strip of wood is set and archers have to shoot at it. The height of the wood was 180cm and the width was either 75mm or 150mm.

Golf Archery

This is a rare form of archery variant that is played in the US. In this archery, archers have to shoot against the golfers. Archers are not allowed to cross the fairway.

Indoor Archery

Indoor archery is a type of target archery which is played indoors. Indoor archery is practiced in the UK when the weather conditions are not good. The targets are of different colors which include yellow, red, blue, black, and white. The distance of the targets is 18m or 20 yards for compound, recurve, barebow, and longbow archers.

Disabled Archery

Disabled archery is a variant of target archery and has been established for people who have any physical impairment. It is also known as Para Archery. International competitions are held in the categories of compound and recurve archers. These archers are allowed to use assistive devices like mouth tabs, wheelchairs, etc. If archers are visually impaired, They have the option of using a spotter which helps them in aiming and scoring. The spotter will also help them in collecting the arrows. Paralympic Games were started as archery was used in the form of rehabilitation activity at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

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