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GET INTO ARCHERY | HANDY GUIDES
Setting up an
Archery Range
UPDATED MAY 2018
WWW.ARCHERYGB.ORG
GET INTO ARCHERY | HANDY GUIDES | SETTING UP AN ARCHERY RANGE
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Introduction
As with any sport, a special area is
needed for archery practice and
competition. This guide outlines the
requirements needed to shoot – these
include the size and shape of the
space needed.
For archery conducted under the auspices of Archery GB all ranges
must be registered, and where necessary have been assessed and, if
necessary, dispensations agreed.
The range layout, the procedure of shooting and the presence of a
coach, or qualified supervisor, are essential for the safe conduct of
our sport. It is not sufficient to install a target somewhere and start
shooting arrows.
A target archery range on a flat level field is needed for the safe
practice of target archery. In field archery, the ground is mostly far
from level, however in this discipline there exist special rules for
range layout.
The specialist disciplines of clout and flight archery have other
requirements.
Notes
The distances are shown in yards and metres. In the UK, Imperial, metric and rounds recognised by World Archery, the International
Federation, can be shot.
This publication is guidance only and should not be considered as the Rules of Shooting.
The following guidelines are based upon Archery GB and World Archery recommended standards.
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To conduct archery safely, the design of an archery range has
to recognise the following 5 prerequisites:
Pre-Requisites
• There is a clearly visible straight line on the ground, called
the shooting line. Archers must shoot their arrows only
when standing on or astride this line. In target archery
there is only one shooting line for all archers, even if they
are not shooting the same distances; targets may be
placed at different distances for different target lanes.
• Archers shoot only at the target directly opposite their
shooting position.
• There is a definite time-slot for shooting and the archer
may not raise the bow arm to shoot until the signal to
start shooting is given.
• Shooting will be in one direction only – at the designated
target.
• Archers should aim continuously toward their target
when drawing their bow. The bow must not be drawn in
such a way that if the string was accidentally released the
arrow would fly out of the safety zone.
Never allow people to stand ahead of the shooting line.
There should be no access ahead of the shooting line while
shooting is in progress
Following the shooting period, archers will go to the targets,
score and collect arrows, and return. This pattern is then
repeated throughout the session.
The way to create time-slots for shooting is to use sound
signals, for instance a whistle or an electronic timing system.
There should be one sound signal to go to the shooting line
and to start shooting, and two sound signals to stop shooting
and to collect the arrows.
These rules have to be followed at all times, whether practicing or at a tournament. They are the preconditions for safe archery.
In practice, we want to shoot safely on a range that allows more than one archer to shoot close alongside each other and at the same
time.
Rules
Pre-requisites for designing a safe
and effective range
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The range layout, the procedure of shooting and
the presence of a qualified supervisor are essential
for the safe conduct of our sport.
Indoor venues provide an easy way of controlling
archery. Outdoor ranges need careful planning to
safeguard both archers and the general public.
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Range Registration
All clubs affiliated to Archery GB have to register their ranges –
including indoor, outdoor, field, clout, flight, and all
tournament venues.
Clubs are asked to self-assess each range (except Have-A-Go
sites) that they use against the Rules of Shooting – specifically
Rules 302 Range Safety – and provide further information to
support Archery GB’s facilities actions.
For ranges that do not comply with the Rules of Shooting a site
visit can be arranged by an Archery Range Assessor who can
support the club to continue to shoot safely.
Examples of not complying with the Rules of Shooting include
not having the required overshoot or side safety areas.
The process can be completed online by the Club Secretary. It
will be repeated every 3 years from 2017.
For further information visit the website
www.archerygb.org/range or contact Membership Services.
Reduced safe zones
In a very few cases an archery range with the required
measurements for safety is not available.
It may be possible however to reduce the exclusion zones
beside and behind the archery range by introducing physical
barriers.
In some cases, natural features, a wall or solid structure can be
used to reduce these areas.
It is essential that the arrows cannot pass through this barrier
and therefore the materials used are key – and maintained.
If the required overshoot or side safety areas cannot be
guaranteed then a site assessment will be needed.
Contact an Archery Range Assessor to discuss this in more
details. Contact details can be found on the website at
www.archerygb.org/range
1. Range Registration
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Operating standards contribute to the creation of a safe
environment. They include minimum spatial standards, site
orientation, backstop, overshoot area, grass length, public
access, changing facilities and secure storage – all described in
Archery GB and World Archery guidelines.
Finding a Range
Clubs use a variety of venues for archery. The majority use a
school or other such playing fields and often share with other
sports such as cricket, rugby and football.
When looking for a new facility, think about what is essential
or desirable to have for your club. Try to be as flexible as
possible – it may be unrealistic to aim for your own range
depending on the size of your club.
Plenty of venues may have appropriate space and equipment
for your club.
Minimum Standards
Archery GB has outlined minimum standards for outdoor
target ranges as follows:
Outdoor field orientation
Once a ground has been identified for use as an archery field,
the range orientation will be determined by the size and shape
of the ground, and the main access point, buildings and other
such features.
Where if possible, the field orientation should prevent the
archers from shooting with the sun in their eyes.
The shooting line should be on the south side of the range and
the targets on the north side, within +/- 20 degrees. This is to
allow the sun to be behind the archers most of the day.
Keep in mind that there are right-handed and left-handed
archers, as they face different ways when on the shooting line.
So, the sun position during early morning or late evening
shooting must be considered.
See the next page for laying out a range at a club, and the
Appendix for laying out a competition range.
Ancillary Facilities
You may wish to think about access and parking as you
look for a range. Especially remembering that archery
is practiced by disabled people.
Remember that disabled archers may wait on the shooting
line if they have mobility issues.
However, toilet and catering facilities benefit
everyone. Taking on a field without these may be fine
for a small section of your club, but ensure you are
thinking about all your member’s needs.
1
• A grass sports field at least 124 yards
long and 41 yards wide.
2
• Grass that is flat not sloped, short, well
kept and well drained
3
• A field that does not allow access to
the general public except at specific
and defined points
4
• A fully accessible changing room, or
club house which has toilets. This
should be heated
5
• A notice board or sign post where the
archery club can advertise their
activities
6
• A secure storage area where archery
equipment can be kept overnight
2. Outdoor Target Ranges
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Outdoor field of play layout, with
safety zones
The diagram opposite shows a practice archery field layout.
(Additional markings are required for tournaments.)
If archers are shooting different distances the targets must be
staggered not the shooting line;
• There should be a 5-yard space between the shooting
line and waiting archers;
• The measurements for the safety zones shown on each
side of this field are for experienced archers and novices
under instruction.
(1) Overshoot distance is always at least 50 yards. In addition, the
total distance from shooting line to overshoot line must be:
At least 110 yards if targets are set at 60 yards or less.
At least 150 yards if compound bows are used.
(2) 10 yards exclusion measurement to side of the shooting line.
(3) 20 yards exclusion measurement to side of range at 100 yards.
(4) Side safety zone width increases linearly to overshoot line
(5) Normal maximum target range is 100 yards.
There should be no dead ground in the overshoot area, which
must always be clear during shooting. Be aware that archers
may still be behind the targets looking for arrows that missed
the target. Always check this before the signal to start
shooting is given.
The exclusion areas each side of the range must be kept clear
from all obstacles which could obscure any potential danger.
Outdoors, the spacing between the targets should be 8ft or
more, allowing space for 2 archers to shoot comfortably side
by side.
Each archer stands with one foot either side of the shooting
line (or both feet on the line) to shoot their bow when the
signal to start shooting has been given.
Whilst archers are waiting to go to the shooting line they must
stay behind the waiting line until the signal is given to advance
to the shooting line.
When the archers have shot their required number of arrows
they must return back behind the waiting line. They wait there
until the signal is given to advance to the targets to retrieve
their arrows.
Overshoot Line
Shooting Line
Waiting Line
Side
safety
area
(5)
Target distances as required
(3)
(2)
(2)
(3)
(1)
5y spacing between lines
Tent Line
(4)
(4)
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During the winter months, archery is still shot outside.
However, a club will often use a sports hall, gymnasium or any
similar convenient hall for their practice.
The usual advantage of an indoor venue is the comfort of the
archers during the winter, although once established, the area
can be used any time.
Minimum Standards
Archery GB recommends that indoor shooting venues should
aim to have the following as a minimum:
The most common indoor shooting distance is 20 yards
(18m); the maximum distance recognised for indoor shooting
is 32 yards, but this may not be possible in all venues.
The waiting line is normally 5 yards from the shooting line; this
distance may be reduced to 3 yards if the space available is
restricted, but safety must not be jeopardised. Behind the
waiting line space is needed for the archers’ shooting
equipment.
Behind the targets there should be a safe arrow stop device,
normally special backstop netting. A backstop net is often
used to ‘catch’ arrows and thus to protect both arrow and wall
from collision damage. This is obviously important in
convincing venue managers/owners to make their premises
available. Irrespective of the presence of a backstop net no-
one must ever enter this zone while shooting is in progress.
The netting should be attached along the top edge only and
hang loosely. This will give greater stopping ability.
Never rely on backstop netting to stop arrows if there is any
activity going on behind it.
These curtains do deteriorate and with some high-powered
bows now available arrows have been known to pass through
them.
The following recommendations for an indoor venue should
be observed.
• Access to the range must only be possible from behind
the shooting line. Any other access should be locked
during practice.
• There must be access to all emergency exits, but if some
are in front of the shooting line entrance into the hall
through these must be restricted.
• There should be no windows or glass in the wall behind
the target line that can be hit by an arrow that misses the
target.
• An appropriate arrow stop can cover these windows.
In some multi-sport venues areas are separated by divisional
curtains. It is unlikely that these would stop an arrow. Either
impenetrable barriers must be installed or there must be the
same side safety distances as used outdoors.
Under no circumstances should there be any human activity
taking place behind the target area even if backstop netting is
being used.
The number of targets indoors is usually dictated by the
available width of the activity hall. Each archer will need a
minimum of 80cm of space when on the shooting line.
The normal target faces used indoors have diameters of 40cm
and 60cm. The target butt should be bigger than the target
face, so that any arrows that just miss the face will still land in
the target butt.
3. Indoor Shooting Ranges
1
•A heated, well lit hall at least 25
yards long and 21 yards wide
2
•A fully accessible changing room,
or club house which has toilets.
This should be heated
3
•A notice board or sign post where
the archery club can advertise
their activities
4
•A secure storage area where
archery equipment can be kept
overnight
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These forms of archery have different, specialist requirements
and those needing to set up ranges for these disciplines are
strongly recommended to consult archers with appropriate
experience.
The discipline of field archery differs from target archery in the
sense that many different shooting lanes are set out along a
course spread out over the natural terrain, often within
woodland.
The shooting lanes must be set so that any arrows that miss
the target will not travel into areas that could be populated
with other archers or spectators.
Targets should not be placed on top of a rise where an arrow
that misses the target can travel to an area that is not readily in
view of the archer when they are standing in the shooting
location.
The course must have safe paths to allow the officials and
working staff to be able to move around the field of play with
safety.
Only those persons who have been given permission will be
allowed on the course when shooting is taking place, and they
must keep to the safe paths at all times.
Field archery offers wonderful opportunities for archery, when
there is no level terrain available. An archer should have some
moderate experienced of shooting at a close target set on level
ground before turning to field archery.
Field archery clubs should have a safe and well-defined
practice area.
For further information please download our guide for
landowners that are interested in setting up a field archery
course -
http://www.archerygb.org/facilities
Clout archery has some similarities with target archery: it is
practised in a flat field with something to aim at. In
comparison with target archery:
• The target range is greater - up to about 200 yards
• The side safety and overshoot distance requirements can
be up to 75 yards
• The target is a marked area of ground marked with a
small flag
An archer must receive some specific training before clout
shooting.
In Flight Archery the intention is simply to shoot an arrow as
far as possible. This naturally requires a large controlled area,
such as might be found in enclosed rural estates or inactive
airfields. If specialist flight bows are to be used, the range must
be over 1000 yards long.
4. Field, Clout and Flight Archery
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Competition ranges must be set out with accurate
measurements. The range must also be square. That is, the
theoretical line between the mark on the shooting line and the
centre of the target must be perpendicular to the shooting
line. If this is not the case, the archers will soon tell you!
This ‘squareness’ can be achieved with specialist equipment
such as a theodolite. However, following the guidelines in the
Appendix will help.
An indoor range can be set up in the same way, however,
buildings are often square to start with, and floor patterns are
often available to achieve the required square accuracy.
See the Appendix for laying out a competition range.
As mentioned previously, this document is guidance and the Rules of Shooting should be observed at all times.
Additional information can be found in the following documents:
• World Archery Constitution and Rules
• Archery GB Code of Practice - Have a Go’s
• Archery GB Code of Practice - Archery Demonstration
• Archery GB - Facilities: Guidance and Specifications
5. Setting out a competition archery range
6. Further Reading
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Setting out a Competition Range
You will need a tape measure and a bit of basic geometry - any
triangle in which the sides are in the ratio 3:4:5 will have one
angle that is a right angle.
For an outdoor range, look over the ground, pacing the
distances to get a rough idea where the range will sit. Set out
the shooting line with a string and a peg at each end. Call the
pegs A and B. Pegs should be easy to see.
Starting at peg A, measure 30 yards along the shooting line
and fix a peg at that point, peg C. Again, starting from peg A,
measure down the range 40 yards and temporarily put down
a peg, peg D. Keep a tape measure between pegs A and D.
Set another tape between pegs C and D. Adjust the position of
peg D until the distance A-D is 40 yards and the distance C - D
is 50 yards. You now have a right angle at A.
Put a temporary string from A through D and along the range
as far as the longest target distance required. Using peg A as
the zero point, measure along the range and put a peg in at
each distance required – pegs E, F, G etc.
Repeat the process from peg B at the other end of the
shooting line, putting in pegs H and I to establish the right
angle and then pegs J, K and L etc. along the range.
Put temporary strings across the range at each of the required
target distances between pegs E and J, F and K, G and L.
Now mark the target positions and shooting positions. Work
from one side of the range, say line A-G. Measure along the
shooting line and along each target line and mark the shooting
and target positions, normally every 10ft with pegs, paint or
other marker.
The shooting line, waiting line and tent line must be marked,
usually with proprietary white liner paint or similar. If strings
are used as the line marker or otherwise retained on the
range, they must be pegged at intervals to prevent a trip
hazard.
Although there is no requirement to actually mark the target
lines continuously across the field, this does make setting up
the targets easier.
Overshot and side safety distances are not marked on the
ground, but there may be a need to rope these areas off. For
higher level competitions, additional lines may be required.
Figure 2 – Example layout
Appendix
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Archery GB is the trading name of the Grand National Archery Society,
a company limited by guarantee no. 1342150 Registered in England.
Archery GB
Lilleshall National Sports & Conferencing Centre
Newport
Shropshire
TF10 9AT
General Enquiries:
Tel: 01952 677 888
Email: enquiries@archerygb.org
www.archery gb.org
Archery GB
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