Outdoor Archery rounds

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Imperial Outdoor Archery Rounds

Imperial rounds are traditional archery formats used primarily in the UK, with distances measured in yards and target faces generally being larger compared to Metric rounds. These rounds vary in difficulty, making them suitable for beginners, intermediate archers, and those competing at a higher level.

Warwick Rounds

Warwick rounds are popular due to their shorter distances and smaller arrow count, making them ideal for beginners and club competitions. Each Warwick round consists of 48 arrows, split evenly between two distances:

• Warwick 30: 30 yards and 20 yards

• Short Warwick: 50 yards and 40 yards

• Warwick: 60 yards and 50 yards

• Long Warwick: 80 yards and 60 yards

Warwick rounds are a great introduction to outdoor archery, offering a balance between challenge and attainability.

National Rounds

National rounds extend the challenge by increasing the distance and number of arrows. These rounds consist of 72 arrows, split between two distances:

• Long National: 4 dozen arrows at 80 yards and 2 dozen at 60 yards.

• National: 4 dozen arrows at 60 yards and 2 dozen at 50 yards.

• Short National: 4 dozen arrows at 50 yards and 2 dozen at 40 yards.

• Junior National: 4 dozen arrows at 40 yards and 2 dozen at 30 yards.

• Short Junior National: 4 dozen arrows at 30 yards and 2 dozen at 20 yards.

National rounds are widely used in club competitions and are suitable for archers who are ready to challenge themselves with longer distances.

Western Rounds

Western rounds are designed to test an archer’s stamina and consistency, involving 96 arrows shot over two distances:

• Long Western: 4 dozen arrows at 80 yards and 4 dozen at 60 yards.

• Western: 4 dozen arrows at 60 yards and 4 dozen at 50 yards.

• Short Western: 4 dozen arrows at 50 yards and 4 dozen at 40 yards.

• Junior Western: 4 dozen arrows at 40 yards and 4 dozen at 30 yards.

• Short Junior Western: 4 dozen arrows at 30 yards and 4 dozen at 20 yards.

Western rounds are ideal for those looking to improve their endurance and maintain accuracy over a greater number of arrows.

York, Hereford, and Bristol Rounds

The York, Hereford, and Bristol rounds are prestigious Imperial rounds, often featured in major competitions. These rounds are known for their challenging distances and require a high level of skill:

• York Round: 6 dozen arrows at 100 yards, 4 dozen at 80 yards, and 2 dozen at 60 yards (traditionally for men).

• Hereford Round: 6 dozen arrows at 80 yards, 4 dozen at 60 yards, and 2 dozen at 50 yards (traditionally for women).

• Bristol Rounds: These are variations of the Hereford round, with different distances based on age and gender:

  • Bristol I: 100, 80, and 60 yards.

  • Bristol II: 80, 60, and 50 yards.

  • Bristol III: 60, 50, and 40 yards.

  • Bristol IV: 50, 40, and 30 yards.

  • Bristol V: 40, 30, and 20 yards.

These rounds are considered the pinnacle of Imperial archery, often serving as the standard for national and international competitions.

Metric Outdoor Archery Rounds

Metric rounds, as the name suggests, are measured in meters and are commonly used in international competitions governed by World Archery (WA). These rounds feature standardized target sizes and distances, making them a universal format for archers around the world.

FITA Rounds

FITA rounds (now commonly referred to as WA rounds) are the most recognized Metric rounds in outdoor archery, consisting of shooting at four different distances. The standard FITA round involves shooting a total of 144 arrows:

• Men’s FITA: 36 arrows at 90m, 70m, 50m, and 30m.

• Women’s FITA: 36 arrows at 70m, 60m, 50m, and 30m.

The FITA round is known for its complexity and is used in the highest levels of competition, including the Olympics.

720 Round

The 720 round, also known as the Olympic round, is a streamlined format designed for head-to-head competition. Archers shoot 72 arrows at a single distance:

• Men’s 720: 70m

• Women’s 720: 70m

This round is particularly intense, requiring archers to maintain focus and precision over a relatively short period.

Metric Rounds for Juniors and Beginners

There are also Metric rounds designed for juniors and beginners, with shorter distances to help new archers build their skills:

• Metric I: 70m, 60m, 50m, 30m

• Metric II: 60m, 50m, 40m, 30m

• Metric III: 50m, 40m, 30m, 20m

• Metric IV: 40m, 30m, 20m, 10m

• Metric V: 30m, 20m, 15m, 10m

These rounds provide a gradual progression, allowing archers to develop their accuracy and confidence before advancing to longer distances.

Conclusion

Outdoor archery rounds offer a diverse range of challenges that cater to all levels of archers, from beginners to elite competitors. Whether you prefer the traditional Imperial rounds like the Warwick and York, or the standardized Metric rounds like FITA and 720, there’s a round that suits every archer’s skill level and competitive ambitions. Understanding these rounds will help you set goals, track your progress, and enjoy the rewarding experience that outdoor archery provides.