Shooting Line Etiquette

For those that are new to tournament archery and for those old yet in need of reminding it is a good thing to go over Shooting Line Etiquette and how we should behave while competing against others.

ADVOCACY & EDUCATION

Tom Rose

9/2/20134 min read

In most games that involve a community of people rules and norms are needed that help the game proceed smoothly and to the benefit of everyone. In tournament archery there is a set of rules that dictate how we ought to manage ourselves on and around the shooting line.

Depending upon the formality of a particular tournament the rules may run from lax to rigid, and it is best if you recognize the different situations. What I will discuss here are the rules and norms that relate to MSAA events mainly, but can be related to most archery tournaments in general.

When arriving at an archery tournament the best advice is to get there early and prepare, not only for yourself but to get your gear in place and put away so that you do not disturb others near the start of shooting. No one can blame those who get there a moment before due to traffic or something unforeseen, but it is a struggle to get ready under such circumstances and a diversion to those whose thoughts are on competing. It is best to get your gear on the rack as soon as you can and take the reminder of the time to either visit or mentally prepare.

Listen carefully when the tournament official goes over the rules. He or she will explain not only what the general rules are but will also define for you what the line signals are going to be. The line signals are very important and are really the focus of this article.

There may be some variance in line signals and that is what you have to listen for when tournament instructions are being given. Generally it goes something like the this:

  • The first signal brings the A line up - those when indoors who have their targets on the bottom of the bale and those when outdoors who have agreed to shoot first. Now the first signal is just that, a signal to bring those shooters up to the line - but it is not a signal to then start shooting.

  • The signal to start shooting is the next one after the signal to come to the line. These signals might be oral signals or they might be sounded with a horn or whistle. For instance, orally the first signal to the A line would be "line up!" and the signal to begin shooting would be just that - "begin shooting!". If a whistle or horn were being used the A line up signal might be a single blast and then the signal to start shooting might be two blasts.

  • The important point here is to not start shooting after you have heard the A line up signal and to wait until you hear the begin shooting signal. If you shoot after only hearing the line up command you may forfeit those arrows or may have to march down and pull what you have shot while everyone watches and gets to know you a little better!

As I have said, once the begin shooting signal has been given you can start shooting, and can continue to shoot until done shooting the allotted number of arrows or time allowed has expired. Once the tournament official recognizes that everyone is finished shooting, or that the allotted shooting time has expired, he or she will signal the B line up either orally or with a horn or a whistle. Again, as with the A line, these folks are not to shoot until they hear the next signal to begin shooting. Once the B line has finished shooting the clear signal is given which indicates that the shooting end is finished and shooters may now move to score their arrows. Orally this might be "all clear" or with a horn or whistle might be three blasts.

Another important aspect of line etiquette is how to step into or out of the line when others are actively shooting. Let us say for instance that you finish shooting early and would like to step away (this is allowed) but don't want to disturb others in doing so. It is always good manners to never step away while the shooter on either side of you is at full draw and is focusing on the target - this is simply not done and if you see anyone doing this please gently remind them not to. Likewise, in a less formal shooting situation (where shooters are not brought to the line together to begin with) you must not step into a line where the shooter on either side is shooting. Basically stated do not step in or out of a line when the shooter on either side of you is at full draw.

Is there a best time to step in or out of a line when others around you are shooting? Absolutely! The very best time in my opinion is right after the shooters on either side have shot the arrow that you have been waiting on before stepping in or out.

Here is my logic. Timing your entrance or departure right after an arrow is shot is the best time because mentally speaking the shooting event for the shooters around you are over and they have yet to prepare mentally for the next. What I mean here is that for many that shoot tournament archery there is a mental program or sequence that they go through in their minds to get ready for their next shot. In their minds they might be running through a list that involves form, aiming, and release. Your stepping in or out during this sequence ought not rattle these shooters, and your doing so is completely legitimate and acceptable, but for the sake of knowing the best time it is food for thought.

In all other things it is important to remember that you are closed in tight with many other shooters while you all are competing. Do not be chatty, and do not rant when you personally shoot a poor shot. Sometimes it is hard not to remark or complain out loud when on the line and things are going badly. It is important that you learn though how to make a shake of the head enough and to then just move on, not only for those around but for yourself to help get back into the game.