Indoor Archery Rules and Shooting Classes

Taken from: National Field Archery Association (http://www.fieldarchery.com/field/styles.cfm)

NFAA Shooting Styles and Equipment

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General rules pertaining to all styles are found in the section marked "General."

Rules pertaining to a specific style are found under the headings listed below.

Barebow
Freestyle
Freestyle Limited
Competitive Bowhunter
Freestyle Bowhunter
Freestyle Limited Bowhunter
Traditional
Freestyle Limited Recurve/Longbow

Age Divisions
Cub = Under 12
Youth = 12 to 14
Young Adult = 15 to 17
Adult = 18 and older
Senior = 55 and older
Master Senior = 65 and older

A. General
A conventional Bow of any type may be used provided it subscribes to the accepted principle and meaning of the word "bow" as used in archery competition, i. e., an instrument consisting of a handle (grip) riser and two flexible limbs, each ending in a tip with a string nock. The bow is braced for use by a single bowstring attached directly between the two string nocks only. In operation it is held in one hand by the handle (grip) riser while the fingers of the other hand draw, hold back and release the string. In cases of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers or release aids.

Compound bows may be used, provided:

     Basic design includes a handle riser (grip) and flexible limbs.
     Total arrow propelling energy is developed from a flexing of the materials employed in limb construction.
     Weight reduction factor is of no consequence.
      Bows which develop any portion of arrow propelling energy from sources "other than the limbs" shall not be allowed, This is not
               to be construed to mean that compound bows which employ other sources of arrow propelling energy, not specifically
               listed in this paragraph, will be allowed.
      The cables of the compound shall be considered as part of the string and all applicable string rules except color requirements
               shall apply.

The maximum peak draw weight allowed in NFAA competition shall be 80 lbs., with a maximum speed of 280 FPS with a varince of 3%.

Any device that would allow the mass weight, or the draw weight of the bow to be relieved from either or bow arms, at full draw, shall be declared illegal.

All overdraws shall be designed in such fashion as to prevent the arrow from falling off the shelf causing an unsafe condition.

All requests for rulings on equipment must be accompanied by an example of the item in question to the assigned committee and for examination by the Board of Directors prior to voting.

B. Barebow
Archers shooting Barebow style will use bow, arrows, strings and accessories free from any sights, marks or blemishes that may be used as a sighting aid.
      String will be one consistent color of the archer's choice. The center serving on the string will be served with one layer of any
               material suitable to use, but material will be of one consistent size and one consistent color.

An adjustable arrow plate may be used provided it does not extend more that 1/4" above the arrow.

The use of stabilizers shall be permitted.

One consistent nocking point only is permitted and may be held by one or two nock locators, which shall be snap on type, shrink tubing, thread or dental floss, tied or served on the serving. Nocking point locators shall not extend more than one half inch (1/2") above or below the arrow nock when at full draw.

Only one non-adjustable draw check and level mounted on the bow, neither of which may extend above the arrow and a mechanical type arrow rest and cushion plunger are permitted.

Only gloves, tabs, or fingers shall be permitted, except in the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.

All arrows shall be identical in length, weight, diameter and fletching, with allowance for wear and tear. Powder on the arrow points shall be permitted as a visual aid.

The ends or edges of laminated pieces appearing on the inside of the upper limb shall be considered a sighting mechanism.

No device of any type, including arrow rest, that may be used for sighting, may be used or attached to the archer's equipment.

The pylon (string clearance bar) will be allowed in this style if it is not located in the sight window.

Any part of the arrow rest extending more than 1/4 inch above the arrow is deemed illegal in the Barebow style.

C. Freestyle:
Any type of sight and its written memorandum may be used.

Any release aid may be used provided it is hand operated and supports the draw weight of the bow and is not attached to the bow other than the bowstring. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers or release aids.

D. Freestyle Limited:

Any type of sight and its written memorandum may be used.

Release aids shall be limited to gloves, tabs and fingers. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.

E. Competitive Bowhunter:

This type of shooting is for those with heavy tackle equipment used during hunting activities. Junior Bowhunters shall not be recognized.

No device of any type (including arrow rest), that may be used for sighting, may be used or attached to the archer's equipment.

There shall be no device, mechanical or otherwise, in the sight window except the arrow rest and/or cushion plungers.

Any part of the arrow rest extending more than 1/4 inch above the arrow shaft is deemed illegal in the Competitive Bowhunter style.

An arrow plate extending more than 1/4 inch above the arrow is deemed illegal in the Competitive Bowhunter style.

No clickers, drawchecks, or levels will be allowed. No laminations, marks, or blemishes may appear in the sight window.

A string of suitable material with a center serving and end servings of the same or different color than the string may be used. One consistent nocking point only is permitted. Nocking point locators shall not extend more than one half inch (1/2") above or below the arrow nock when at full draw. Any marks, ties or string attachment to the string (except brush buttons and silencers properly located) shall invalidate its use in this division.

One anchor point only is permitted.

An archer must draw and anchor the bowstring with the index finger touching the nock throughout the draw and release of the arrow. When the index finger is placed above the nock the middle finger is placed below the nock, the third finger, if used, must touch the middle finger; or the index finger must touch the bottom of the nock with the middle finger touching the index finger, and the third finger, if used, touching the middle finger. Finger position may not be changed during competition.

Releases other than gloves, tabs, or fingers shall be deemed illegal. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.

All arrows shall be identical in length, weight, diameter and fletching with allowances for wear and tear. Powder on the arrow point shall be permitted as a visual aid.

The Field Captain, or his counterpart, shall be the final authority regarding equipment and style eligibility, and may reclassify at his discretion.

Brush buttons, string silencers, no less than 12 inches above or below the nocking point, and bow quiver installed on the opposite side of the sight window, are legal. One straight stabilizer, coupling device included if used, which cannot exceed 12 inches at any time, as measured from the back of the bow may be used in the Competitive Bowhunter style. No forked stabilizer or any counterbalance will be legal.

An archer will not be permitted to change the draw weight of the bow during a round.

The pylon (string clearance bar) will be allowed in this shooting style if it is not located in the sight window.

No written memoranda shall be allowed.

All official NFAA rounds shall be considered official rounds for the Bowhunter style of shooting, and further, all classification shall be based upon the Field and Hunter rounds.

During a round no adjustments may be made to the bow and its related equipment unless an equipment failure is recognized.

Camouflage bows will be allowed.

F. Freestyle Bowhunter:
A maximum of (5) five fixed reference points: Points of attachment shall not be considered reference points. Sighting reference points, string peep and/or kisser button may not be moved during a round. Scopes, clickers and draw checks are not allowed. A round or oval housing around the points of reference is not considered a scope as long as no lens is used. No additional pin guard may be used. A sight pin consisting of a housing with a hole through it, that does not contain a fixed reference point within the hole, is not allowed.

Release aids will be permitted. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers or release aids.

A pinguard mounted on the sight, and a level mounted anywhere will be legal in this style of shooting, provided that there are no additional marks or blemishes on either of these items that could be used for sighting.

There shall be no device, mechanical or otherwise, in the sight window except the arrow rest and/or cushion plungers. Any part of the arrow rest extending more than 1/4 inch above the arrow shaft is deemed illegal.

A string of suitable material with a center serving and end servings of the same or different color than the string may be used. One consistent nocking point only is permitted. Nocking point locators shall not extend more than 1/2 inch above or below the arrow nock when at full draw. Brush buttons and string silencers properly attached will be legal.

One anchor point only is permitted.

All arrows shall be identical in size, length, weight and fletching with allowances for wear and tear.

Brush buttons, string silencers, no less than 12 inches above or below the nocking point, and bow quiver installed on the opposite side of the sight window, with no part of the quiver or attachments visible in the sight window are legal. One straight stabilizer, coupling device included if used, which cannot exceed 12 inches at any time, as measured from the back of the bow, may be used. No forked stabilizer or any counter balance will be legal.

An archer will not be permitted to change the draw weight of the bow during a round.

The pylon (string clearance bar) will be allowed in this style of shooting if it is not located in the sight window.

During a round no adjustments may be made to the bow and its related equipment unless equipment failure is recognized.

G. Freestyle Limited Bowhunter:
Same as Freestyle Bowhunter except for these restrictions:
      Release aids shall be limited to gloves, tabs and fingers. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap
               may be used in place of fingers.
      An archer must draw and anchor the bowstring with the index finger touching the nock throughout the draw and release of the
               arrow. When the index finger is placed above the nock the middle finger is placed below the nock, the third finger, if used,
               must touch the middle finger; or the index finger must touch the bottom of the nock with the middle finger touching the index
               finger, and the third finger, if used, touching the middle finger. Finger position may not be changed during competition. In
               the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.

H. Traditional:
This style of shooting is for those who wish to compete with the Recurve or Longbow.

No device of any kind, including arrow rest, that can be used for sighting will be used or attached to the archer's equipment.

There shall be no device, mechanical or otherwise, in the sight window except the arrow rest, arrow plate or plunger button.

No part of the rest or arrow plate may extend more than 1/4 inch above the arrow.

No clickers, drawchecks or levels will be allowed. No laminations, marks or blemishes on the face of the bow
or in the sight window will be legal.

The string may be of any color but must have a single color center serving. One single nocking point is permitted. One or two nock locators may be used. Brush buttons and string silencers, properly placed, may be used. Any other marks or string attachments will be illegal.

One anchor point only is permitted.

The archer shall touch the arrow when nocked and drawing the arrow with the index finger against the nock. Finger position may not be changed during competition. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.

Gloves, tabs or fingers shall be the only legal releases. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.

All arrows shall be identical in length, weight, diameter and fletching with allowances for wear and tear.

No stabilizer or counter balance may be used.

No written memorandum will be allowed.

Bow slings are permissible.

I. Freestyle Limited Recurve/Longbow:
Any type of sight and its written memorandum may be used providing the sighting mechanism has no magnification. Levels, string peep sights and electronic devices are not allowed.

Release aids shall be limited to gloves, tabs and fingers. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.

This style is limited to use of recurve bow or longbow.