MSAA Equipment Rules
Revised 1-18-2023
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:
Basic design includes a handle riser (grip) and flexible limbs.
Total arrow propelling energy is developed from a flexing of the materials employed in limb construction.
Weight reduction factor is of no consequence.
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.
The cables of the compound shall be considered as part of the string and all applicable string rules except color requirements shall apply.
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.
III. BARE BOW
A. No sights allowed.
B. Releases other than fingers with the aid of a glove, tab or finger savers are not allowed.
C. The use of stabilizers shall be permitted. The stabilizer shall not touch any part of the body when shooting.
D. Adjustable type arrow rest and cushion plunger are allowed.
E. One non-adjustable draw check and level mounted on the bow, neither of which may extend above the arrow.
F. During a round no adjustments may be made to the bow and its related equipment unless an equipment failure is recognized.
G. Face and string walking are allowed.
IV. FREESTYLE
A. No limit on sights adjustments can be made any time.
B. Release aid is allowed.
C. Mechanical type arrow rests and cushion plungers are allowed.
D. No restriction to the length of stabilizers. The stabilizer may not touch any part of the body when shooting.
V. FREESTYLE LIMITED
A. Same rules as freestyle except for these restrictions.
B. Releases other than fingers with the aid of a glove, tab or finger savers are not allowed.
VI. BOWHUNTER
A. No sight with magnification is allowed. Verifier lens for peep sights are allowed.
B. A sight with a maximum of five pins or aiming dots is allowed.
C. Releases aids are allowed.
D. Clickers are not allowed.
E. Mechanical type arrow rest and cushion plunger are allowed.
F. 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.
G. The stabilizer shall not touch any part of the body when shooting.
H. Once the tournament starts no adjustments may be made to the sight or bow unless equipment failure is recognized (this includes stabilizers).
VII. BOWHUNTER LIMITED
A. Same rules as bowhunter except for these restrictions.
B. Releases other than fingers with the aid of a glove, tab or finger savers are not allowed.
VIII. BOWHUNTER BARE BOW
A. Same rules as bowhunter except for these restrictions.
B. No sights allowed.
C. Releases other than fingers with the aid of a glove, tab or finger savers are not allowed.
D. No clickers or levels are allowed.
E. No written memoranda shall be allowed.
F. Face and string walking are not allowed.
IX. TRADITIONAL
A. This style of shooting is for recurve or longbow.
B. Releases other than fingers with the aid of a glove, tab or finger savers are not allowed.
C. No sights, clickers, draw checks or levels are allowed.
D. An arrow rest, which can be adjustable and cushion plunger are allowed.
E. No stabilizers or counterbalance are allowed.
F. 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.
G. Bow slings are allowed.
H. One piece bow or take down is allowed.
I. Face and string walking are not allowed.
X. OLYMPIC RECURVE
A. Same rules as freestyle limited except for these restrictions.
B. No sight with magnification.
C. No peep, verifier or clarifier.
XI. OLYMPIC BARE BOW
A. Same rules as traditional except for these allowances.
B. 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.
C. The bow unbraced must be able to pass through a hole of 12.2cm (4.8 in.).
D. Face and string walking are allowed.
XII. MODERN BOWHUNTER
A. Screw-in tips only.
B. Archer can move the sight whether it is a single, three, or five pin sight for elevation, however no movement for windage while scoring.
C. 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.
D. Release aids are allowed as well.