A gentle reminder for any one making score sheets for outdoor FITA archery.

Make sure there is a column for score, X's, tens and nines. The X-ring (inner ten ring) counts as a ten. For scoring purposes, I add the number of X's first and place them in the X column. Then count all the 10's and add the number of X's to the 10 count. There should be more 10's then X's.

If anyone has announcements before shooting, this is a short list of things to mention as this is what happens most often at a tournament:

Three meter line in front of the shooting line. Remind archers that if an arrow drops within that three meter line, they can shoot another arrow but they cannot pick up that arrow until that line finishes that end. By definition, if a part of the shaft is within that three meter line, the arrow is defined as not being shot. If an arrow explodes and parts of the shaft are within the three meter line, it is a shot arrow by definition because there was enough energy in that shot to explode the arrow.

Remind spectators not to use flash photography, it is difficult to shoot when the eyes are dilated. Also, turn off pagers and cell phones.

Timing lights. If timers and flags or lights are used, the timing sequence starts when the whistle or horn is activated. If the timing clock counts down below 4 minutes (long distances) 2 min (short distances), you must wait for an audible start. This is why archers are not allowed to raise their bow in anticipation of the clock, they could lose an arrow that way. Wait for an audible signal.

Carry more than six arrows (long distances) or three arrows (shorter distances) to the shooting line in case an arrow is not shootable. This is not an equipment failure but a brain failure. Be prepared. This is why you inspect your arrows on the way back from every end, plus it keeps your mind off archery for a few seconds.

If an archer leaves the shooting line, make sure they notify a judge so they will have time to finish their end. Many times an archer will leave the line to get something and figure they have a full 4 minutes (long distances) 2 minutes (short distances) but if the line is vacant, the DOS will blow the whistle, ending that sequence.

Loose clothing, strings, pins, etc. Many items will catch a string.

On the score card, an M is used when an arrow does not score.

On the score card, be sure to write in the value of arrows from highest to lowest.

The reason for marking the arrow holes is in case of a pass-through or a bounce out so an archer can get proper credit for an arrow. If an archery suspects they have a pass through or bounce out, step back and notify an official.

The archer has the responsibility to make sure their target has scorable lines. The judges can't see everything so make sure the rings are visible to score from.

There are many more little things to mention before an event but these are the ones that happened most recently and tend to be the same things that happen over and over so it is worth mentioning before every event to best help the archers.

If you notice my verbiage above, I try to explain to an archer why the rule is the way it is and that is to aid the archer. I never tell the person what to do without a brief explanation so they understand better. For those who have never been to a judges training seminar, the judges are supposed to be PROTECTIVE of the archers rights and not PUNITIVE. Those are our two P's.

Which reminds me, the male persuasion has to wear sleeved shirts. This means no cut-off shirts. Ladies are to wear tops that will not show the midriff while shooting. Bummer of a rule!



Rick Stonebraker , TSAA/National/Olympic Judge
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INDOOR

-This tournament is an NAA event.

 -You will shoot_____ ends of _____ arrows.
            Time limit is ____ minutes for the ____ arrows or 40 seconds per arrow.           
            NAA whistle signals will be used (and/or lights).
            The emergency stop command is now 5 or more whistle blasts.

-In the event of equipment failure, please raise your arm and a judge will come over.
            No equipment failure may delay a tournament more than 15 minutes.

-All equipment must be inspected as of 1 January 1999.
            Please present your bow, tab, and release. All shafts must be marked with your Initials.

-The maximum draw weight of a compound bow is 60#.

-Battery illuminated sights are not allowed, fiber optic sights that are not illuminated by battery are allowed.

-Scoring
Any arrow touching the higher scoring rings gets scored the higher value.
If you have a miss it is scored on the card with the letter “M” (as in Mike).
If you have an error on the score card in recording the value of a called arrow it must be        corrected and initialed by all the archers n the target OR else by a judge in red. If you make an addition error you can correct that without a judge/archer initials.
MARK your holes in the event of a bounce out or pass-through.
Compound shooters score the inner 10 (X) as a 10; the balance of the Gold is scored as a 9.           Ties are broken by: greatest number of 10’s, greatest number of 9’s.
If any archer disputes the value of an arrow call, please call for a Judge to render an opinion which will be final.

-As of 1 April 2001 the largest shaft size diameter allowed is 9.3mm, this equates to a 2300 series in Easton sizes. With the exception of 2317 size, since the diameter is slightly larger than 9.3m
 

-As of 1 January 2000 there is now a 3 meter line in front of the shooting line which will serve to indicate the maximum distance that a miss-shot or dropped arrow may travel before being considered “shot”. The arrow must lie completely beyond the line to have been shot.

Shooters may leave spotting scopes on the line between ends providing it is not an obstacle for other shooters. Communication between an archer and team management is allowed providing it does not disturb other archers. Electronic devices such as pagers and cell phones are not permitted on the line. 

-NAA dress code is in effect. (Explain dress code).

 -All spectators are required to stay behind the barrier. Only archers and officials will be allowed on the range.

OUTDOOR

-This tournament is an NAA event.

-You will shoot___6__ ends of __6___ arrows at each of the longer distances. -You will shoot__12__ ends of __3___ arrows at each of the shorter distances. Time limit is __4__ minutes for the __6__ arrows or 40 seconds per arrow at the longer distances. Time limit is __2__ minutes for the __3__ arrows or 40 seconds per arrow at the shorter distances. NAA whistle signals will be used (and/or lights). The emergency stop command is now 5 or more whistle blasts.

-In the event of equipment failure, please raise your arm and a judge will come over. No equipment failure may delay a tournament more than 15 minutes.

-All equipment must be inspected as of 1 January 1999. Please present your bow, tab, and release. All shafts must be marked with your Initials.

-The maximum draw weight of a compound bow is 60#.

-Battery illuminated sights are not allowed, fiber optic sights that are not illuminated by battery are allowed.

-Scoring Any arrow touching the higher scoring rings gets scored the higher value. If you have a miss it is scored on the card with the letter "M" (as in Mike). If you have an error on the score card in recording the value of a called arrow it must be corrected and initialed by a judge in red. If you make a totaling error you correct it w without a judge. MARK your holes in the event of a bounce out or pass-through. Score the X's and the total number of 10's including the X's. If any archer disputes the value of an arrow call, please call for a Judge to render an opinion, the judge's call is binding.

-As of 1 April 2001 the largest shaft size diameter allowed is 9.3mm, this equates to a 2300 series in Easton sizes, with the exception of 2317 shafts which have a diameter larger than 9.3mm

-As of 1 January 2000 there is now a 3 meter line in front of the shooting line which will serve to indicate the maximum distance that a miss-shot or dropped arrow may travel before being considered "shot". The arrow must lie completely beyond the line to have been shot. Shooters may leave spotting scopes on the line between ends providing it is not an obstacle for other shooters. Communication between an archer and team management is allowed providing it does not disturb other archers. Umbrellas are no longer allowed on the shooting line. Electronic devices such as pagers and cell phones are not allowed on the line.

-NAA dress code is in effect. (Explain dress code)

-All spectators are required to stay behind the barrier. Only archers and officials will be allowed on the field.