Scoring in archery might seem like a lot at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes a natural part of the process. Whether you’re shooting indoors or outdoors, the principles are similar. Below, we’ve outlined exactly how to score, what to mark, and some key things to keep in mind while you're out on the range.
Scores are recorded on a scoresheet, and the key is to always list them from highest to lowest. If your arrows land for a 9, 7, and 1, you would write down "9-7-1" on your scoresheet. This makes it easy to see, at a glance, how each end went and prevents any mix-ups during adding up.
If an arrow doesn’t score any points, it’s called a miss. On the scoresheet, this is marked with an 'M' to indicate no score for that arrow. It's nothing to worry about—everyone has misses, and it’s just part of the game.
Make sure to record any Xs for metric and indoor rounds, as they are used for tiebreakers. The score should be read out from highest to lowest, and once everyone has agreed, the Target Captain records the values on the scoresheet.
Outdoor arrows are generally shot in groups of six or three arrows at a time, depending on the round or the distance being shot. Once all the arrows have been shot and scored, you can then remove them from the target face.
For indoor archery, arrows are typically shot in groups of three. This consistent pattern helps make sure that scoring is easy to track and straightforward, no matter which type of indoor round you’re shooting.
At competitions, the role of scorer is usually assigned to the Target Captain (Person C on the target list) at the target. The Target Captain is responsible for writing down the scores for each arrow after they have been called out by another archer. However, it is important to note that archers cannot record their own scores at competitions.
To ensure fairness, some competitions may use multiple scoresheets to keep the scoring process organized and to facilitate input into the scoring system throughout the shoot. For example, in outdoor rounds, there may be a separate scoresheet for each distance being shot. In indoor competitions, the scoresheet might be split in half, such as using one scoresheet for the first 30 arrows and another for the remaining 30 in a 60-arrow round. This allows scores to be progressively input into the scoring system rather than all at once at the end. Alternatively, if the tournament is using digital scoring, both a paper scoresheet and a digital scoresheet may be employed.
The Target Lieutenant (Person D on the target list) typically records the Target Captain's scores. Key Responsibilities of Target Captain and Target Lieutenant:
These roles are flexible and can be traded between archers at the start of the day if everyone agrees, ensuring responsibilities are shared fairly. It's important that whoever takes on these roles does so with consistency and attention to detail to ensure accurate scoring. It’s important that whoever does the scoring is consistent and pays close attention to ensure accuracy.
The person whose arrows they are calls out the scores (pointing at each arrow WITHOUT TOUCHING it). If no one disagrees, the Target Captain records them. If there is disagreement, remember that line cutters (arrows touching the dividing line between two scoring zones) always receive the higher value. If you still can't agree, call a judge—it's their job to make the final decision. This system ensures that all scores are checked and agreed upon, minimizing the risk of errors.
At club, there are different ways you can record your scores. You can use an app to track your scores and upload them directly to Golden Records, our record-keeping software. For more details, you can check the Golden Records User Manual for step-by-step guidance. Alternatively, you can use the paper scoresheet available in the folder at the club. If you choose to use the paper scoresheet, you have two options:
Before submitting your scoresheet, make sure you complete all required columns. This includes:
Ensuring these columns are properly filled out will help prevent issues during verification and ensure accurate scoring results.
Follow these steps to complete and submit your scoresheet:
Ensuring the scoresheet is properly submitted helps avoid any issues later and keeps the competition running smoothly.