Section 3: Playing Area
3.1 Outdoor Range Layout
International outdoor target archery takes place on a flat, level field (the Field of Play) with clearly defined zones:
- Shooting line: A marked line on the ground from which all archers shoot. Archers must straddle or stand immediately behind this line.
- Waiting line: Located approximately 5 metres behind the shooting line. Archers wait here when not actively shooting.
- Spectator line: A barrier or marked line set well behind the waiting line (typically 10–20 metres further back) to keep spectators at a safe distance.
- Target line: The line on which target buttresses are placed, perpendicular to the shooting direction.
3.2 Distances and Target Faces
- Olympic recurve: 70 metres (229.7 ft) from shooting line to target face.
- Compound: 50 metres (164 ft) from shooting line to target face.
- 122 cm target face: Used for the 70 m ranking round. Features 10 concentric scoring zones in five colours (gold, red, blue, black, white), each colour divided into two rings.
- 80 cm target face: Used for individual and team elimination rounds at 70 m (recurve) and for compound at 50 m. Same colour scheme, proportionally smaller rings.
- Triple-spot face: Three separate 40 cm target faces arranged vertically, used in compound individual elimination rounds. One arrow per spot.
- Target height: The centre of the target face (the gold) must be 130 cm (51 in) above the ground.
3.3 Range Dimensions and Safety Zones
- Lane width: Minimum 5 metres (16.4 ft) per target butt, ensuring adequate spacing between adjacent archers.
- Overshoot area: A minimum of 110 metres (361 ft) of clear, controlled space behind the target line to safely arrest any arrows that miss or pass through the buttresses.
- Lateral safety zone: Minimum 25 metres (82 ft) on each side of the outermost targets.
- Safety netting: Overhead netting may be installed behind targets at major events to catch errant arrows, particularly in urban or stadium venues.
3.4 Wind Indicators
Small wind flags are placed at regular intervals along the range (typically at the shooting line and at the target line) so archers can read wind speed and direction. Flags are lightweight fabric, usually 25 cm × 80 cm. Archers use these flags to adjust their aim for crosswind drift — a critical skill at 70 metres where even a light breeze can shift an arrow several ring widths.