MSAA Equipment Rules

Revised 12-08-2024

I. General rules pertaining to all styles are found in the section marked "General." Rules pertaining to a specific style are found under the headings in the following table.

II. General:

A. 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 deformity, chew strap may be used in place of fingers or release aids.

B. Compound bows may be used, provided:

1. Basic design includes a handle riser (grip) and flexible limbs.

2. Total arrow propelling energy is developed from a flexing of the materials employed in limb construction.

3. Weight reduction factor is of no consequence.

4. 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.

5. The cables of the compound shall be considered as part of the string and all applicable string rules except color requirements shall apply.

6. The maximum peak bow weight allowed in MSAA competition shall be 80 pounds.

C. This Paragraph Is Applicable Only To Competition On Unmarked Distance Tournaments: The use of a ranger finder is prohibited. At no time shall any device be allowed that would in any manner be an aid in establishing the distance of any shot. No Archer may refer to any written memoranda that would aid in determining the distance to the target.

D. 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.

E. All overdraws shall be designed in such fashion as to prevent the arrow from falling off the rest, endangering other competitors.

F. All equipment rulings 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.

G. Arrows

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

2. Maximum arrow size is 27/64.

3. Lighted nocks are not allowed.

H. Sights

1. A sight that projects an aiming dot is not allowed.

2. A sight that uses a laser is not allowed.

III. NAA BARE BOW

A. A bow of any type providing it consists of a handle/riser and grip (no shoot through types) and two flexible limbs each ending in a tip with a string nock. The bow is braced by a string attached directly between the two string nocks, and is held in one hand by its grip, while the fingers of the other hand draw and release the string.

B. The bow shall be bare except for the arrow rest and free from any protrusions, sights, or sight marks, marks or blemishes or laminated pieces (which) could be used for aiming. The unbraced bow, complete with accessories shall be capable of passing through a 12.2cm +/- 0.5mm inside diameter hole or ring.

1. Multicolored bow risers and trademarks located on the inside of the upper and lower limb or on the rise rare permitted. However, if the area within the sight window is colored or marked in any way that it could be used for aiming, it must be taped over.

2. Risers having a brace are permitted provided the brace does not consistently touch the archers arm, hand or wrist.

C. The bow string may be of multi-colored strands and serving and of material chosen for that purpose. It may have a center serving to accommodate the drawing fingers, and one or two nocking points to which may be added serving to fit the arrow nock as necessary, and to locate the nocking points. No lip or nose marks are permitted. The bow string shall in no way assist in aiming through the use of a peephole, marking or any other means. The end of the center serving where it transitions to the bowstring material shall not end within the archer’s plane of vision at full draw.

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

1. An adjustable pressure button, pressure point, or arrow plate may be used on the bow provided they do not offer aid in aiming. The pressure point may be placed no further back than 2cm (inside) from the pivot point of the grip.

E. No draw check may be used.

F. Face and string walking are permitted.

G. No sights allowed.

H. Adjustable arrow rest and cushion plungers are allowed.

I. No stabilizers are permitted. Vibration dampeners will be permitted and may be installed in the riser by the manufacturer, or by attaching aftermarket to the riser or the weights. Must still pass through a 12.2cm ring or circle. Weight(s) and or dampener(s) may be added below and above the riser’s grips but cannot aid the archer in aiming or ranging in any way.

J. Finger protection in the form of finger stalls or tips, gloves shooting tab, or tape, to draw and release the string is permitted, provided the3y do not incorporate any device that aid the archer to hold, draw and release the string.

1. An anchor plate or similar device attached to the finger protection (tab) used for anchoring is permitted. The stitching shall be uniform in size and color. Marks and lines may be added directly to the tab or on a tape placed on the face of the tab. These marks shall be uniform in size, shape, and color and may have up to two different lengths. Other memoranda are not permitted. On the bow hand an ordinary glove, mitten, or similar item may be worn but not attached to the grip of the bow.

IV. FREESTYLE

1. No limit on sights (refer to sights) adjustments can be made any time.

2. Release aid is allowed (refer to release aids).

3. Mechanical type arrow rests and cushion plungers are allowed.

4. No restriction to the length of stabilizers. The stabilizer may not touch any part of the body when shooting.

V. FREESTYLE LIMITED

1. Same rules as freestyle except for these restrictions.

2. Releases other than fingers with the aid of a glove, tab or finger savers are not allowed.

VI. BOWHUNTER FREESTYLE

1. No sight with magnification is allowed. Verifier lens for peep sights are allowed.

2. A sight with a maximum of five pins or aiming dots is allowed. (Refer to sights).

3. Releases aids are allowed. (Refer to releases aids).

4. Clickers are not allowed.

5. Mechanical type arrow rest and cushion plunger are allowed.

6. One straight stabilizer with coupling device included cannot exceed 12 inches as measured from the attachment point. V-bar counterbalance and string dampeners may be used.

7. The stabilizer shall not touch any part of the body when shooting.

8. Once the tournament starts no adjustments may be made to the sight or bow unless equipment failure is recognized (this includes stabilizers). Equipment failure must be visible and agreed upon by the majority of the group of peers in the shooting group.

VII. BOWHUNTER FREESTYLE LIMITED

1. Same rules as bowhunter freestyle except for these restrictions.

2. Releases other than fingers with the aid of a glove, tab or finger savers are not allowed.

VIII. COMPOUND BARE BOW

1. Same rules as bowhunter except for these restrictions.

2. No sights allowed.

3. Releases other than fingers with the aid of a glove, tab or finger savers are not allowed.

4. No clickers or levels are allowed.

5. No written memoranda shall be allowed.

6. Face and string walking are not allowed.

IX. TRADITIONAL

1. This style of shooting is for recurve or longbow.

2. Releases other than fingers with the aid of a glove, tab or finger savers are not allowed.

3. No sights, clickers, draw checks or levels are allowed.

4. An arrow rest, which can be adjustable and cushion plunger are allowed.

5. No stabilizers or counterbalance are allowed.

6. The string may be of any colors and have a single color center serving. One or two nock locators may be used. Brush buttons and string silencers may be used. Any other marks or string attachments are not allowed.

7. Bow slings are allowed.

8. One piece bow or take down is allowed.

9. Face and string walking are not allowed.

X. OLYMPIC RECURVE

1. Same rules as freestyle limited except for these restrictions.

2. No sight with magnification.

3. No peep, verifier or clarifier.

XI. RECURVE BARE BOW

1. Same rules as traditional except for these allowances.

2. Weights may be added to the lower part of the riser. All weight regardless of shape shall mount directly to the riser without rods, extensions, angular mounting connections or shock-absorbing devices.

3. The bow unbraced must be able to pass through a hole of 12.2cm (4.8 in.).

4. Face and string walking are allowed.

XII. MODERN BOWHUNTER

1. Screw-in tips only.

2. Archer can move the sight whether it is a single, three, or five pin sight for elevation, however no movement for windage while scoring.

3. No stabilizer longer than 12 inches, back stabilizers are allowed, and peep style lens will be allowed, however no lens on sight will be allowed.

4. Release aids are allowed as well.