Bow classes & equipment according to WA

This article specifies the type of archery equipment permitted in WA competitions. It is the archer's responsibility to use equipment that complies with the rules. Any competitor using equipment that violates the WA rules may be disqualified. The following describes the specific regulations that apply to individual disciplines, followed by the general regulations that apply to all disciplines. The clothing regulations in Book 3, Article 20.1 apply.

22.1 Recurve discipline

The following equipment is permitted for the recurve discipline:

•22.1.1. A bow of any type, as long as it conforms to the recognized principles and meaning of the word "bow" in target competitions, namely, an instrument consisting of a handle, riser (not a through-bow type), and two flexible limbs, each end of which is provided with a string notch. The bow is used with a single string drawn directly between the two string notches. When shooting, it is held by the handle with one hand, while the fingers of the other hand draw and release the string.

•22.1.1.1 Multi-colored risers and branding on the inside of the upper and lower limbs or on the riser are permitted.

•22.1.1.2. Risers with a stirrup are permitted, provided the stirrup does not continuously touch the competitor's hand or wrist.

•22.1.2. A tendon made up of any number of threads,

•22.1.2.1. which may be of different colors and made of the selected material. It may be provided with a center wrap for the draw fingers, one or two nocking point marks, to which additional wrap(s) may be added to accommodate the arrow nock and to mark the nocking point marks. At each end of the string there is a loop which is hooked into the string notches when the bow is drawn. In addition, a device may be made on the string to serve as a lip or nose mark. The center wrap of the string must not end in the athlete's field of vision when fully drawn. A string may not have any type of aiming aid in the form of a peepsight (hole in the string), markings, or any other device.

•22.1.3 An arrow rest, which may be adjustable and may have more than one vertical support, is permitted.

•22.1.3.1. Any movable pressure point, arrow rest, or butt plate may be located on the bow, provided they are not electric or electronic and do not provide additional aiming aid. The pressure point may not be located more than 4 cm behind (inward toward the athlete) the neck of the grip (the pivot point of the bow) (4 cm overdraw).

•22.1.4 An aid for the extraction control, audible, tactile or visible, but neither electrical nor electronic, may be used.

•22.1.5. A sight for aiming is permitted.

•22.1.5.1 It must not contain a prism, lens, or other magnifying device, a spirit level, or any electrical or electronic device, and it must not have more than one aiming point. Long fiber optic sighting threads must bend after 2 cm, with the other end of the thread not in the competitor's line of sight.

•22.1.5.2 The total length of the sighting ring or sighting point (tunnel, tube, sight rod or any other extension) must not exceed 2 cm in the direction of the competitor's aim.

•22.1.5.3. A sight attached to the bow for aiming may have both elevation and windage adjustment. It is subject to the following conditions:

•22.1.5.4 On courses with unknown distances, no part of the sight may be modified to serve as a rangefinder.

•22.1.5.5 Competitors may carry their sighting settings on the course, namely a single reference point for each distance. Multiple markers for use as a possible aid to distance measurement are not permitted.

•22.1.6 Stabilizers and vibration dampers on the bow are permitted,

•22.1.6.1 provided that they:

• do not serve as tendon guides;
• touch nothing but the bow;
• do not pose a danger or hindrance to other competitors.

•22.1.7 Arrows of any type may be used, provided they comply with the accepted principle and meaning of the word "arrow" in target competitions and do not cause unnecessary damage to the target faces and targets.

•22.1.7.1. An arrow consists of a shaft with a point, nock, fletching, and, if desired, painting. The maximum diameter of an arrow shaft is 9.3 mm (arrow wraps are not subject to this restriction, but may not exceed 22 cm in length, measured from the lowest point of the nock to the end of the wrap); the diameter of the corresponding arrowhead may not exceed 9.4 mm. All arrows belonging to an athlete must bear their name or initials on the shaft. All arrows used in an end must be identical and have the same type and color of fletching, nocks, and, if applicable, painting. Tracer nocks (electrically/electronically illuminated nocks) are not permitted.

•22.1.8 Finger protection in the form of finger tape, shooting gloves (with or without wrist straps), finger tabs, or a combination of different finger protection elements for pulling and releasing the string is permitted, provided it does not contain any aids for pulling and releasing the string.

•22.1.8.1. The finger guard may include: an anchor plate for anchoring, thumb or finger rests for the non-drawing fingers, finger loops around the fingers to secure the finger guard to the hand, finger separators to prevent pinching the arrow, tab plate(s) to hold the tab material/various layers together, and plate extensions to ensure consistent hand placement. The finger guard may consist of any number of layers and materials. No part of the finger guard may extend around the hand between the thumb and fingers or beyond the wrist, nor may it restrict wrist mobility. A regular glove, mitten, or similar device may be worn on the bow hand, but it must not be permanently attached to the bow grip.

•22.1.9 Binoculars, binoculars with tripods and other visual aids for identifying the arrows may be used,

•22.1.9.1. Unless they have visible scales or markings that can be used for distance measurement. The markings must be covered in such a way that they cannot be seen or felt by the competitor, including the manufacturer's markings if they move when the focusing wheel is rotated.

•22.1.9.2. Ordinary eyeglasses, shooting glasses, or sunglasses may be worn. None of these items may be equipped with a micro-pinhole lens or similar device, nor may they bear any marking that could serve as an aiming aid in any way.

•22.1.9.3 If the shooter needs to cover the non-aiming eye or the lens for that eye, he may use film or tape to restrict his vision or he may use an eye patch.

•22.1.10. The following accessories are permitted:

•22.1.10.1. Including arm guards, chest protectors, bow slings, finger slings, belt, waist, or floor quivers. Devices for elevating a foot or part of the foot, even as part of the shoe, are permitted as long as they do not interfere with other athletes at the stake and do not extend more than 2 cm above the sole of the shoe. Limb dampeners are also permitted. Wind indicator devices (non-electric or electronic) may be attached to equipment used at the stake (e.g., lightweight threads).

22.2. Compound discipline

The following equipment is permitted for the compound discipline. Additional equipment of any kind is permitted, provided it is non-electrical or electronic, does not compromise safety, and does not reasonably interfere with other competitors.

•22.2.1. A compound bow is a bow whose riser may be of the through-shoot type and whose draw length is mechanically adjusted by a system of pulleys or eccentric pulleys. The bow is tensioned by one or more strings, which, depending on the design, run directly between the two string notches of the limbs or are attached to the eccentric pulleys, the bow cables, or otherwise. The equipment must not be electrical or electronic.

•22.2.1.1. The draw weight must not exceed 60 lbs.

•22.2.1.2. Cable deflectors are permitted.

•22.2.1.3 Single-arm risers or split cables are permitted, provided they do not continually contact the competitor's hand, wrist, or bow arm.

•22.2.1.4. A bowstring of any type, which may be provided with multiple wraps for nocking points, as well as with other devices such as lip or nose marks, peepsights, peepsight alignment devices, release loops, string dampeners, bowstring weights, etc., is permitted.

•22.2.1.5 The pressure point of the arrow rest, which may be adjustable, must not be located more than 6 cm behind (inward toward the competitor) the neck of the grip (the pivot point of the bow) (6 cm overdraw).

•22.2.2. Pull-out controls, tactile, audible and/or visible, may be used provided they are not electrical or electronic.

•22.2.3. A sight attached to the bow.

•22.2.3.1. May incorporate both windage and elevation adjustment, as well as a (spirit) level and/or magnifying lenses and/or prisms. In addition, a manufacturer's scale or an adhesive strip with a set of the competitor's usual distance settings may be affixed to the sight as an adjustment aid.

•22.2.3.2. The aiming points may be a sighting rod made of optical plastic fiber material, which may, if desired, be illuminated by a chemical glow stick. The glow stick must be covered so that it does not disturb other competitors.

•22.2.3.3. The sight may only have multiple aiming points and peep eliminator devices at known distances.

•22.2.3.4 At unknown distances, no part of the sight may be modified to serve as a rangefinder.

•22.2.3.5. Competitors may carry their sighting settings on the course, namely a single reference point for each distance. Multiple marks for use as a possible aid to distance measurement are not permitted.

•22.2.4. A release aid may be used, provided it is not attached to the bow. Any type of finger guard may be used.

22.2.5 The following restrictions apply:

• Article 22.1.7 and Article 22.1.7.1;
• Article 22.1.8.1.;
• Article 22.1.9., limited by Article 22.1.9.2.;
• Article 22.1.10.1.;

22.3 Barebow discipline

The following equipment is permitted for the barebow discipline:

•22.3.1. A bow of any type, as long as it conforms to the accepted principles and meaning of the word "bow" in target competitions, namely a device consisting of a handle, riser (not a shoot-through type), and two flexible limbs, each end of which is provided with a string notch. The bow is strung for use with a single string passing directly between the two string notches. When shooting, it is held by the handle with one hand while the fingers of the other hand draw and release the string. The bow, as described above, must be bare, except for the arrow rest, and it must be free of any protrusions, sights, sight marks, other markings, stains, or laminations (in the area of ​​the bow window) that could serve as an aiming aid. The unstrung bow, with all permitted accessories, must fit through a hole or ring 12.2 cm inside diameter +/- 0.5 mm.

•22.3.1.1. Multi-colored risers and the brand logo on the inside of the upper and lower limbs or on the riser are permitted. However, if the area in the bow window is colored in such a way that it could be used as an aiming aid, it must be taped over.

•22.3.1.2. Risers with a stirrup are permitted, provided the stirrup does not continuously touch the competitor's hand or wrist.

•22.3.2. A tendon made up of any number of threads,

•22.3.2.1. which may be of different colors and made of the selected material. It may be provided with a center wrap for the draw fingers, one or two nocking point markers, to which additional wrap(s) may be added to accommodate the arrow nock and to define the nocking point markers. Lip or nose markings are not permitted. A string may not have any type of aiming aid, such as a peepsight (hole sight in the string), markings, or any other device.

•22.3.3 An arrow rest, which may be adjustable and may have more than one vertical support, is permitted.

•22.3.3.1. Any movable pressure point, arrow rest, or butt plate may be located on the bow, provided it does not provide additional aiming aid. The pressure point may not be located more than 2 cm behind (inward toward the athlete) the neck of the grip (the pivot point of the bow) (2 cm overdraw).

•22.3.4. Devices for checking the egress are not permitted.

•22.3.5 The position of the fingers on the tendon and on the face may be changed.

•22.3.6. Stabilizers are not permitted.

•22.3.6.1. Built-in vibration dampers are permitted, provided they do not have stabilizers.

•22.3.6.2 Additional weights may be attached to the lower part of the centerpiece. All weights, regardless of shape, must be attached directly to the centerpiece without any spacer, extension, angled adapter, or shock absorber.

•22.3.7 Arrows of any kind may be used, provided they comply with the accepted principle and meaning of the word "arrow" in target competitions and do not cause unnecessary damage to the targets.

22.3.7.1. An arrow consists of a shaft with a point, nock, fletching, and, if desired, painting. The maximum diameter of an arrow shaft is 9.3 mm (arrow wraps are not subject to this restriction, but may not exceed 22 cm in length, measured from the lowest point of the nock to the end of the wrap); the diameter of the corresponding arrowhead may not exceed 9.4 mm. An athlete's arrows must bear their name or initials on the shaft. All arrows used in an end must be identical and have the same type and color of fletching, nocks, and, if applicable, painting. Tracer nocks (electrically/electronically illuminated nocks) are not permitted.

•22.3.8 Finger protection in the form of finger cots, gloves, tabs, or adhesive tape (plasters) for pulling and releasing the tendon is permitted, provided it does not contain any aids for holding, pulling, or releasing the tendon.

•22.3.8.1. A finger separator may be used to prevent the arrow from pinching. An anchor plate or similar device attached to the finger guard (tab) for anchoring is permitted. Stitching must be uniform in color and size. Markings or lines may be added directly to the tab or on an adhesive strip affixed to the tab. These markings must be uniform in size, shape, and color. Additional information or markings are not permitted. A regular glove, mitten, or similar device may be worn on the bow hand, but it must not be permanently attached to the bow grip.

•22.3.9 Binoculars, binoculars with tripods and other visual aids for identifying the arrows shot may be used,

•22.3.9.1. They do not have any visible scales or markings that can be used for distance measurement. The markings must be covered in such a way that they cannot be seen or felt by the competitor, including the manufacturer's markings if they move when the focusing wheel is rotated.

•22.3.9.2. Ordinary eyeglasses, shooting glasses, or sunglasses may be worn. None of these items may be equipped with a micro-pinhole lens or similar device, nor may they bear any marking that could serve as an aiming aid in any way.

•22.3.9.3 If the shooter needs to cover the non-aiming eye or the lens for that eye, he may use film or tape to restrict his vision or he may use an eye patch.

•22.3.10. Accessories are permitted:

•22.3.10.1. Including arm guards, chest protectors, bow slings, finger slings, belt, back, hip, or floor quivers. Devices for elevating a foot or part of the foot, even as part of the shoe, are permitted as long as they do not interfere with other athletes at the peg and do not extend more than 2 cm above the sole of the shoe. Limb dampeners are also permitted.

•22.4 Instinctive Bow Discipline

The following equipment is permitted for the instinctive bow discipline:

•22.4.1. A bow of any type, as long as it conforms to the accepted principles and meaning of the word "bow" in target competitions, namely a device consisting of a handle, riser (not a through-shooting type), and two flexible limbs, each end of which is provided with a string notch. The riser is made of natural or resin-based material (e.g., wood, bamboo, horn, cloth, fiberglass, and part of the riser may contain carbon/graphite or metal). The riser must be made either of several layers or from a single piece of wood. The bow may be dismantled and may contain only factory-installed fittings for the limbs, sight and dampener mounts, and bushings for stabilizers. The bow may have an adjustable limb for adjusting the tiller, but may not have adjustable limb pockets for changing the draw weight. The riser may contain thin synthetic laminates up to 6 mm thick for use as limb/limb pocket protectors for structural use in the riser, but no more than one-quarter of the riser may be made of metal or synthetic material. The riser must contain wood or bamboo. For non-takedown bows, limb laminates of any material that continue into the riser are permitted. The bow is strung for use with a single string running directly between the two string notches. When shooting, it is held by the grip with one hand while the fingers of the other hand draw and release the string. The bow, as described above, must be bare, except for an arrow rest as described in Article 22.4.3, and it must be free of any protrusions, sights, sight marks, other markings, stains, or laminations (in the bow window area) that could serve as an aiming aid. Riser weights are permitted provided they were incorporated during the bow manufacturing process and not afterward. These weights must not be visible on the outside of the centerpiece and must be covered by material applied during the original manufacturing process, with no visible holes, filled holes, overlays, or coverings, except for the manufacturer's original inlay or inlaid manufacturer's logo.

•22.4.1.1. Multi-colored risers and branding on the inside of the upper and lower limbs are permitted. However, if the area inside the bow window is colored in such a way that it could be used as an aiming aid, it must be taped over.

•22.4.2. A tendon made up of any number of threads,

•22.4.2.1. which may be of different colors and made of the selected material. It may be provided with a center wrap for the draw fingers, one or two nocking point marks, to which additional wrap(s) may be added to accommodate the arrow nock and to mark the nocking point marks. At each end of the string there is a loop, which is hooked into the string notches when the bow is drawn. Lip or nose markings are not permitted. The center wrap of the string must not end in the athlete's field of vision when fully drawn. A string may not have any type of aiming aid, such as a peepsight (hole in the string), markings, or any other device.

•22.4.2.2. String dampeners are also permitted if they are located at least 30 cm from the nocking point.

•22.4.3. An arrow rest that must not be adjustable.

•22.4.3.1. The arrow rest may be a simple, self-adhesive plastic arrow rest, a feather arrow rest as supplied by the manufacturer, or the athlete may use the bottom edge of the bow window (shelf), which may be lined with any material (on the shelf only). The vertical part of the bow window may be lined with material that may not extend more than 1 cm beyond the resting arrow and may not be thicker than 3 mm, measured from the point on the riser directly adjacent to the material. No other types or arrow rests are permitted.

•22.4.4. Devices for extract control are not permitted.

•22.4.5 The position of the fingers on the tendon and on the face must not be changed.

•22.4.6 Arrows of any kind may be used, provided they comply with the accepted principle and meaning of the word "arrow" in target competitions and do not cause unnecessary damage to the target faces and targets.

•22.4.6.1. An arrow consists of a shaft with a point, nock, fletching, and, if desired, painting. The maximum diameter of an arrow shaft is 9.3 mm (arrow wraps are not subject to this restriction, but may not exceed 22 cm in length, measured from the lowest point of the nock to the end of the wrap), and the diameter of the corresponding arrowhead may not exceed 9.4 mm. An athlete's arrows must bear their name or initials on the shaft. All arrows used in an end must be identical and have the same type and color of fletching, nocks, and, if applicable, painting. Tracer nocks (electrically/electronically illuminated nocks) are not permitted.

•22.4.7 Finger protection in the form of finger cots, gloves, tabs, or adhesive tape (plaster) for pulling and releasing the string is permitted, provided it does not contain any aids for pulling and releasing the string. Athlete-added markings are not permitted in the instinctive bow discipline, regardless of whether they are uniform in size, shape, or color.

•22.4.7.1. An anchor plate or similar device attached to the finger guard (tab) for anchoring is not permitted. The archer's finger position for releasing the arrow is either the "Mediterranean" grip (with one finger above the arrow nock) or the fingers directly below the arrow nock (index finger no more than 2 mm below the nock) with a fixed anchor point. The archer must shoot with either the Mediterranean grip or the fingers under the nock, but may not use both techniques. The finger guard when shooting with the fingers under the nock must be continuous or consist of connected surfaces with no possibility of separating the fingers. When shooting with the Mediterranean grip, a finger separator may be used to prevent the arrow from pinching.

•22.4.8 Binoculars, binoculars with tripods, and other visual aids for detecting the arrows may be used:

•22.4.8.1 provided they do not constitute an obstacle for other competitors.

provided they do not have any visible scales or markings that can be used for distance measurement. The markings must be covered in such a way that they cannot be seen or felt by the competitor, including the manufacturer's markings if they move when the focusing wheel is rotated.

•22.4.8.2. Ordinary eyeglasses, shooting glasses, or sunglasses may be worn. None of these items may be equipped with a micro-pinhole lens or similar device, nor may they bear any marking that could serve as an aiming aid in any way.

•22.4.8.3 If the shooter needs to cover the non-aiming eye or the lens of the eyeglasses for that eye, he may use film or tape to restrict his vision or he may use an eye patch.

•22.4.9. The following accessories are permitted:

•22.4.9.1. Including arm guards, chest protectors, bow slings, finger slings, belt, back, hip, or floor quivers. Devices for elevating a foot or part of the foot, even as part of the shoe, are permitted as long as they do not interfere with other athletes at the peg and do not extend more than 2 cm above the sole of the shoe. Limb dampeners are also permitted. Arrow quivers may not be attached to the bow.

22.5. Longbow discipline

The following equipment is permitted for the longbow discipline:

•22.5.1. The bow should be of the traditional longbow (or American flatbow) shape, with the limbs designed so that when the bow is drawn, the string does not touch any part of the bow except the string nocks. The bow may consist of two detachable sections, both of which must be the same length (split at the grip/arrow rest area), and the bow may be made of any material or multiple material components. The shape of the grip (only at the grip) is not restricted, and the bow window may be cut for a center shot. The bow must be free of any protrusions, sights or sight marks, other markings, stains, or laminations (in the bow window area) that could serve as an aiming aid. 22.5.1.1. For juniors and women, the bow must be at least 150 cm long, and for men it must be at least 160 cm long. The length is measured with the bow drawn between the string nocks on the outside of the limbs.

•22.5.2. A tendon made up of any number of threads.

•22.5.2.1. The string may be of any color and material. It may be provided with a center wrap for the draw fingers and one or two nocking point markers, to which additional wraps may be added to accommodate the arrow nock and to mark the nocking point markers. A loop is provided at each end of the string, which is hooked into the string notches when the bow is drawn. The center wrap of the string may not end in the athlete's field of vision when fully drawn. A string may not be provided with any type of aiming aid, such as a peepsight (hole in the string), markings, or any other device.

•22.5.2.2. String dampeners are also permitted if they are at least 30 cm from the nocking point.

•22.5.3 Arrow rest. If the bow has a recess for the arrow (shelf), this may be used as an arrow rest and may be lined with any material (only in the shelf). The vertical part of the bow window may be lined with material that may not extend more than 1 cm beyond the resting arrow and may not be thicker than 3 mm, measured from the point on the riser directly adjacent to the material.

•22.5.4 The position of the fingers on the tendon and on the face must not be changed.

•22.5.5. Weights, stabilizers, or vibration dampeners are not permitted on the bow. Riser weights are permitted provided they were installed during the bow's manufacturing process and not afterward. These weights must not be visible on the outside of the riser and must be covered by material added during the original manufacturing process, with no visible holes, filled holes, overlays, or coverings, except for the manufacturer's original inlay or inlaid logo.

•22.5.6 Only wooden arrows with the following characteristics are permitted:

•22.5.6.1. An arrow consists of a shaft with a point, a nock, fletching, and, if desired, painting. The maximum diameter of an arrow shaft is 9.3 mm (arrow wraps are not subject to this restriction, but may not exceed 22 cm in length, measured from the lowest point of the nock to the end of the wrap); the diameter of the accompanying arrowhead may not exceed 9.4 mm. An athlete's arrows must bear their name or initials on the shaft. All arrows used in an end must be identical and have the same type and color of fletching, nocks, and, if applicable, painting.

•22.5.6.2 Field points, spherical or conical, are used for wooden arrows.

•22.5.6.3. The fletching consists exclusively of natural feathers.

•22.5.7 Finger protection in the form of finger cots, gloves, tabs, or adhesive tape (plasters) for pulling and releasing the tendon is permitted, provided it does not contain any aids for holding, pulling, or releasing the tendon.

•22.5.7.1. An anchor plate or similar device attached to the finger guard (tab) for anchoring is not permitted. The archer's finger position for releasing the arrow is either the "Mediterranean" grip (with one finger above the arrow nock) or the fingers directly below the arrow nock (index finger no more than 2 mm below the nock) with a fixed anchor point. The archer must shoot with either the Mediterranean grip or the fingers under the nock, but may not use both techniques. The finger guard when shooting with the fingers under the nock must be continuous or consist of connected surfaces with no possibility of separating the fingers. When shooting with the Mediterranean grip, a finger separator may be used to prevent the arrow from pinching.

•22.5.8 Binoculars, binoculars with tripods, and other visual aids for detecting the arrows may be used:

•22.5.8.1. Unless they have visible scales or markings that can be used for distance measurement. The markings must be covered in such a way that they cannot be seen or felt by the competitor, including the manufacturer's markings if they move when the focusing wheel is rotated.

•22.5.8.2. Ordinary eyeglasses, shooting glasses, or sunglasses may be worn. None of these items may be equipped with a micro-pinhole lens or similar device, nor may they bear any marking that could serve as an aiming aid in any way.

•22.5.8.3 If the shooter needs to cover the non-aiming eye or the lens for that eye, he may use film or tape to restrict his vision or he may use an eye patch.

•22.5.9. The following accessories are permitted:

•22.5.9.1. Including arm guards, chest protectors, bow slings, finger slings, belt, back, hip, or floor quivers. Devices for elevating a foot or part of the foot, even as part of the shoe, are permitted as long as they do not interfere with other athletes' footholds and do not extend more than 2 cm above the sole of the shoe. Arrow quivers may not be attached to the bow.

22.6. Accessories for all disciplines

The following equipment is not permitted for competitors in all disciplines:

•22.6.1 Any electronic or electrical device that can be attached to the competitor's equipment.

•22.6.2 Any electronic communication device (including mobile phones), headphones, or noise-cancelling ear defenders anywhere on the course;

•22.6.3 Any type of rangefinder or aid for estimating distance or measuring angles not covered by the current rules governing athletes' equipment, as well as any type of written record or electronic storage device used for record keeping. An athlete may carry the World Archery Rules or extracts thereof.

•22.6.4 Any item of equipment belonging to a competitor that has been added or modified to enable distance or angle measurement. Normal equipment may not be used expressly for this purpose.