The International Field Archery Association (IFAA) is a organization dedicated to promoting and expanding the sport of archery mainly targeting the amateur archer. The IFAA hosts various competitions and tournaments throughout the year, including outdoor and indoor target archery events.

Website

Official International Field Archery Association website →

General rules

• Arrow speed to 300 feet per second (91.44 meter per second) with an allowed variance of 3%.

Divisions

There are twelve divisions:

• Barebow recurve - BBR
• Barebow compound - BBC
• Freestyle unlimited - FU
• Freestyle limited recurve - FSR
• Freestyle limited compound - FSC
• Bowhunter recurve - BHR
• Bowhunter compound - BHC
• Bowhunter limited - BL
• Bowhunter unlimited - BU
• Longbow - LB
• Traditional recurve bow - TR
• Historical bow - HB

Additionally there are two more divisions recognized by the EFAA (English Field Archery Association)

• American flatbow - AT
• English longbow - EL

• Recurve bow
• No sight or any other markings that could be used for sighting are allowed.
• Bows, arrows, string and accessories shall be free from sight marks, blemishes and / or laminations which could be used for aiming. If such blemishes or markings are present on the window of the bow riser, the full length of the back of the window shall be covered with tape.
• Written notes carried on the archer’s person are allowed.
• An adjustable arrow rest may be used to control the space between the arrow and the face of the bow window. The arrow rest shall not extend above the arrow shaft.
• Draw stops incorporated in the cams of a compound bow are allowed.
• One permanent nocking point only is allowed which may be marked by one or two nock locators.
• No mechanical device will be allowed other than one non-adjustable draw check and / or level mounted on the bow, neither of which may extend above the arrow.
• All arrows used shall be identical in length, weight, diameter, fletching and nocks, without regard to colour, with allowance for wear and tear.
• One or two string stoppers may be used provided they lie outside the line of vision and cannot be used for aiming.

• Compound bow
• Bows, arrows, string and accessories shall be free from sight marks, blemishes and / or laminations which could be used for aiming. If such blemishes or markings are present on the window of the bow riser, the full length of the back of the window shall be covered with tape.
• Written notes carried on the archer’s person are allowed.
• An adjustable arrow rest may be used to control the space between the arrow and the face of the bow window. The arrow rest shall not extend above the arrow shaft.
• The use of stabilisers is allowed.
• Draw stops incorporated in the cams of a compound bow are allowed.
• One permanent nocking point only is allowed which may be marked by one or two nock locators.
• No mechanical device will be allowed other than one non-adjustable draw check and / or level mounted on the bow, neither of which may extend above the arrow.
• All arrows used shall be identical in length, weight, diameter, fletching and nocks, without regard to colour, with allowance for wear and tear.
• One or two string stoppers may be used provided they lie outside the line of vision and cannot be used for aiming.

• Any type of bow
• Any type of sight.
• Any type of stabilizers so long as the rear stabilizer doesn’t touch the archer’s body.
• A mechanical release aid is allowed.
• For compound bows this class is sometimes known as compound unlimted - "CU".

• Recurve bow
• Any type of sight.
• Any type of stabilizers so long as the rear stabilizer doesn’t touch the archer’s body.
• A mechanical release aid is not allowed

• Compound bow
• Any type of sight.
• Any type of stabilizers so long as the rear stabilizer doesn’t touch the archer’s body.
• A mechanical release aid is not allowed

• Recurve bow
• Bows, arrows, string and accessories shall be free from sight marks, blemishes and / or laminations which could be used for aiming. If such blemishes or markings are present on the window of the bow riser, the full length of the back of the window shall be covered with tape.
• Written notes carried on the archer’s person are allowed.
• The use of a levelling device is not allowed
• No device of any type that may be used for sighting may be attached to the archer's equipment. Optical devices that assist the archer to obtain consistency in eye alignment and anchor point are not allowed.
• An adjustable arrow rest may be used to control the space between the arrow and the face of the bow window. The arrow rest shall not extend above the arrow shaft.
• No draw check will be allowed.
• Draw stops incorporated in the cams of a compound bow are allowed.
• A kisser button is not allowed
• One permanent nocking point only is allowed which may be marked by one or two nock locators.
• One consistent anchor point only is allowed.
• An archer shall touch the arrow when nocked with the index finger against the nock or arrow. Finger position may not be changed during competition. In cases of physical deformity or handicap special dispensation shall be made.
• All arrows used shall be identical in length, weight, diameter, fletching and nocks, without regard to colour, with allowance for wear and tear.
• Brush buttons in their proper places at the recurve tip of the bow; string silencers no closer than twelve inch above or below the nocking point is allowed.
• A bow quiver installed on the opposite side of the sight window with no part of the quiver visible in the bow window is allowed.
• One straight stabiliser, coupling device included, if used, not exceeding twelve inch as measured from the back of the bow may be used. No forked stabiliser or any type of counter balance will be legal. The plunger (where the stabiliser is screwed in) is part of the stabiliser.
• Draw weight shall not be adjusted during any one round.
• One or two string stoppers may be used provided they lie outside the line of vision and cannot be used for aiming.

• Compound bow
• Bows, arrows, string and accessories shall be free from sight marks, blemishes and / or laminations which could be used for aiming. If such blemishes or markings are present on the window of the bow riser, the full length of the back of the window shall be covered with tape.
• Written notes carried on the archer’s person are allowed.
• The use of a levelling device is not allowed
• No device of any type that may be used for sighting may be attached to the archer's equipment. Optical devices that assist the archer to obtain consistency in eye alignment and anchor point are not allowed.
• An adjustable arrow rest may be used to control the space between the arrow and the face of the bow window. The arrow rest shall not extend above the arrow shaft.
• No draw check will be allowed.
• Draw stops incorporated in the cams of a compound bow are allowed.
• A kisser button is not allowed
• One permanent nocking point only is allowed which may be marked by one or two nock locators.
• One consistent anchor point only is allowed.
• An archer shall touch the arrow when nocked with the index finger against the nock or arrow. Finger position may not be changed during competition. In cases of physical deformity or handicap special dispensation shall be made.
• All arrows used shall be identical in length, weight, diameter, fletching and nocks, without regard to colour, with allowance for wear and tear.
• Brush buttons in their proper places at the recurve tip of the bow; string silencers no closer than twelve inch above or below the nocking point is allowed.
• A bow quiver installed on the opposite side of the sight window with no part of the quiver visible in the bow window is allowed.
• One straight stabiliser, coupling device included, if used, not exceeding twelve inch as measured from the back of the bow may be used. No forked stabiliser or any type of counter balance will be legal. The plunger (where the stabiliser is screwed in) is part of the stabiliser.
• Draw weight shall not be adjusted during any one round.
• One or two string stoppers may be used provided they lie outside the line of vision and cannot be used for aiming.

• A mechanical release aid is not allowed
• Any type of bow and recognised by the IFAA World Council is allowed.
• A sight with four or five fixed reference points will be allowed and neither the sight nor any reference point shall be moved during a round.
• Pin sights are to be of straight stock from point of anchor to sighting points, held nearer horizontal than vertical within the sight, with only one sighting reference possible from each pin or reference point. Hooded pins or scope sights are not allowed. The use of an artificial light source attached to the sight that illuminates the pins is allowed.
• Optical devices that assist the archer to obtain consistency in eye alignment and anchor point are not allowed.
• The use of a levelling device is allowed as part of the pin / brush guard and shall be considered part of the pin / brush guard for all measurements and references.
• Any type of arrow rest is allowed
• Only one permanent nocking point is allowed on the string. The nocking point may be marked by one or two nock locators or a “D” loop.
• A kisser button or string peep sight will be allowed but not both. A lens that is incorporated into the peep sight is allowed.
• Pin guards / brush guards may be used provided that the distance between the bottom of the top guard and the top pin must be greater than the distance between the top pin and the next highest pin. The same clearance as for the top sight pin applies also to the bottom pin and the bottom guard.
• All arrows used shall be identical in length, weight, diameter, fletching and nocks, without regard to colour, with allowance for wear and tear.
• Brush buttons in their proper places at the recurve tip of the bow; string silencers no closer than twelve inch above or below the nocking point is allowed.
• A bow quiver installed on the opposite side of the sight window with no part of the quiver visible in the bow window is allowed.
• One straight stabiliser, coupling device included, if used, not exceeding twelve inch as measured from the back of the bow may be used. No forked stabiliser or any type of counter balance will be legal. The plunger (where the stabiliser is screwed in) is part of the stabiliser.
• Draw weight shall not be adjusted during any one round.
• One or two string stoppers may be used.

• A mechanical release aid is not allowed
• A sight with four or five fixed reference points will be allowed and neither the sight nor any reference point shall be moved during a round.
• Pin sights are to be of straight stock from point of anchor to sighting points, held nearer horizontal than vertical within the sight, with only one sighting reference possible from each pin or reference point. Hooded pins or scope sights are not allowed. The use of an artificial light source attached to the sight that illuminates the pins is allowed.
• Optical devices that assist the archer to obtain consistency in eye alignment and anchor point are not allowed.
• The use of a levelling device is allowed as part of the pin / brush guard and shall be considered part of the pin / brush guard for all measurements and references.
• Any type of arrow rest is allowed
• Only one permanent nocking point is allowed on the string. The nocking point may be marked by one or two nock locators or a “D” loop.
• A kisser button or string peep sight will be allowed but not both. A lens that is incorporated into the peep sight is allowed.
• Pin guards / brush guards may be used provided that the distance between the bottom of the top guard and the top pin must be greater than the distance between the top pin and the next highest pin. The same clearance as for the top sight pin applies also to the bottom pin and the bottom guard.
• All arrows used shall be identical in length, weight, diameter, fletching and nocks, without regard to colour, with allowance for wear and tear.
• Brush buttons in their proper places at the recurve tip of the bow; string silencers no closer than twelve inch above or below the nocking point is allowed.
• A bow quiver installed on the opposite side of the sight window with no part of the quiver visible in the bow window is allowed.
• One straight stabiliser, coupling device included, if used, not exceeding twelve inch as measured from the back of the bow may be used. No forked stabiliser or any type of counter balance will be legal. The plunger (where the stabiliser is screwed in) is part of the stabiliser.
• Draw weight shall not be adjusted during any one round.
• One or two string stoppers may be used.

• A bow of any material, which can be either an one piece bow or a bow that can be taken down in two parts and put together again as a one piece bow within the handle (only shared once in the handle), which when strung displays one continued unidirectional curve, which is measured as follows: When the strung bow is placed with the bowstring in a vertical position, the angle as measured between the tangent of any point on the limb and an imaginary horizontal line must always decrease as this point is moved further away from the bow grip.
• The tip reinforcing may not exceed 20mm in height, measured from the surface of the back of the bow limb and may not exceed 50mm in length, measured from the centre of the string groove towards the bow grip.
• The bow may contain a window and an arrow shelf. The side of the window shall be slanted over the full length of the window and rounded off at the point where the window intersects with the top bow limb. The window cut may not exceed the centre of the bow.
• The belly, bow grip, the window and the arrow shelf shall be free of any marks or blemishes that may be used as sighting aids. If such blemishes or markings are present on the window of the bow riser, the full length of the back of the window shall be covered with tape.
• Any additions to the bow for the purpose of stabilisation, levelling, draw-weight reduction, sighting and / or draw checking are not allowed.
• Only one nocking point shall be allowed on the string, which may be marked by either one or two nocking point locators. If resting nocks are used -such as ball nocks -only one locator may be used.
• String silencers no closer than 30 cm above or below the nocking point are allowed.
• Arrows shall be of wood, fletched with natural feather, and must be of the same fletch and pile, without regard for colour. The arrows must be free of any marks or blemishes that can be used as sighting aids and shall not vary in length by more than 25mm at the start of the competition. Nocks may be of any material and any weight of pile may be used.
• An archer shall touch the arrow when nocked with the index finger against the nock or arrow. Finger position may not be changed during competition. In cases of physical deformity or handicap special dispensation shall be made.
• Entries that do not comply with the above rules shall be classified in the Traditional Recurve Bow style or in the shooting style the equipment is allowed and possible to use.

• A recurve bow manufactured from wood, which can either be a one-piece bow or a bow that can be taken down in two or more parts.
• The riser or grip of the bow shall be made mainly from wood that may be laminated with glass or carbon fibre reinforced polymers, or similar materials.
• The limbs shall have a wood core which may be laminated on the outside, using glass or carbon fibre, or similar.
• The arrow shall be shot from the hand or from the bow shelf. For protection against wear and tear, the shelf may contain a thin plate (leather or felt patch against the riser) and a piece of felt, rug or skin (or similar material) on the shelf.
• The riser shall be free of any markings or blemishes that may be used for sighting.
• Any additions to the bow for the purpose of stabilisation, levelling, draw-weight reduction, sighting and / or draw checking are not allowed.
• An arrow rest, adjustable or non-adjustable, is not allowed.
• An archer shall touch the arrow when nocked with the index finger against the nock or arrow. Finger position may not be changed during competition. In cases of physical deformity or handicap special dispensation shall be made.
• Face walking is not allowed
• Only one nocking point shall be allowed on the string, which may be marked by either one or two nocking point locators. If resting nocks are used -such as ball nocks -only one locator may be used.
• Arrows shall be made of any material, fletched with natural feathers. The arrows shall be similar in material, length, weight, spine, diameter and nocks, regardless of colour and with allowance for wear and tear.
• Limb savers, string silencers and brush buttons are allowed and if used, must be at least 12 inches above or below the nocking point.
• A bow quiver installed on the opposite side of the sight window with no part of the quiver visible in the bow window is allowed.

• The recognition of the classic bow (also called historical or primitive bow) shall be based on the accepted design and usage during the period preceding the year 1900.
• There shall be no distinction between the different configurations of bow designs or of materials used.
• The bow shall be either a self-wood or composite bow.
• The inclusion of a form of arrow rest or shelf as well as a sight window cut-in shall be allowed, provided such meet the classic configuration of the bow which has established historical precedence.
• The bow shall be constructed of wood or materials that were used during the period of the bow’s historical usage. Modern materials such as carbon, glass fibre and epoxy may not be used. The use of historic glues such as bone glue and hot tree resin is not allowed and only modern glues and adhesives shall be used for the riser and limbs! The standard bowstring material shall be polyester. Historical (such as flax or sinew) and / or modern bowstring materials (such as Kevlar, etc.) may not be used.
• Arrows shall be of wood, fletched with natural feather, and must be of the same fletch and pile, without regard for colour. The arrows must be free of any marks or blemishes that can be used as sighting aids and shall not vary in length by more than 25mm at the start of the competition. Modern arrow points or piles as well as modern nocks shall be allowed. Nocks that are cut into the shaft are only allowed when these are strengthened with appropriate materials.
• Accessories such as woven nocking point indicators and thumb rings shall be allowed, provided that such accessory was used during the historic use of the bow.
• The onus shall rest with the archer to ensure that all the equipment that is used for the tournament is historically correct. The shooter shall show documented proof of the correctness of the equipment if so asked by the technical controllers at the tournament.

• One piece straight end bow of any material which when strung displays one continued unidirectional curve.
• Bow may contain window and arrow shelf.
• No sight or any other markings that could be used for sighting are allowed.
• No stabilizers are allowed.
• One permanent nocking point only is allowed which may be marked by one or two nock locators.
• An archer shall touch the arrow when nocked with the index finger against the nock or arrow. Finger position may not be changed during competition. In cases of physical deformity or handicap special dispensation shall be made.
• Face walking is allowed.
• Arrows shall be of wood, fletched with natural feather, and must be of the same fletch and pile, without regard for colour. The arrows must be free of any marks or blemishes that can be used as sighting aids. Nocks may be of any material and any weight of pile may be used.

• Bow shall be of "D" section made entirely of wood.
• Shot off hand. Simple handles only. No shelves, pistol grips or built-up grips which can support an arrow.
• No sight or any other markings that could be used for sighting are allowed.
• No stabilizers are allowed.
• The bowstring should be one uniform color.
• One permanent nocking point only is allowed which may be marked by one or two nock locators.
• An archer shall touch the arrow when nocked with the index finger against the nock or arrow. Finger position may not be changed during competition. In cases of physical deformity or handicap special dispensation shall be made.
• One consistent anchor point only is allowed.
• Arrows shall be of wood, fletched with natural feather, and must be of the same fletch and pile, without regard for colour. The arrows must be free of any marks or blemishes that can be used as sighting aids. Nocks may be of any material and any weight of pile may be used.