World Archery is the international governing body for the sport of archery. It is responsible for overseeing and developing the sport of archery at the international level, and organizing major international events such as the Olympic Games and World Archery.

World Archery recognizes different types of competitions, which they call disciplines. These are target archery, field archery, para archery, 3D archery, flight archery, clout archery, ski archery, and run archery. The most popular disciplines are target and 3D (although 3D competitions are often run by organizations and rules other than World Archery / USA Archery), followed by field archery. Flight and clout archery are quite rare, and run and ski archery virtually unheard of. Therefore we are only going to lists the two most popular disciplines.

Website

Official World Archery website →

Divisions

There are three divisions for target competitions:

• Recurve
• Compound
• Barebow

• Recurve archery is often called Olympic recurve because the recurve division of the target discipline is archery's Olympic event. The recurve division uses single string bows shot without a release aid (protective equipment such as a tab is allowed). These bows may be made of any material. Archers are allowed to use adjustable rests, a plunger, unmagnified single-pin sights, stabilizers, and vibration dampeners.

• Compound archery is the least restricted division. Archers are allowed to use any type of bow that is held in one hand with the string drawn with the other (no crossbows), and virtually any accessory so long as it is not electronic or dangerous. Compound bows are limited to a maximum draw weight of 60 pound. Mechanical release aids are permitted. Range-finding accessories are not allowed in field archery.

• Barebow archery uses an unsighted single string–typically recurve–bow of any material. While compound and recurve rules list what accessories are not permitted, the barebow rules state what accessories are permitted and do not permit others. Barebow archers may use adjustable rests and a plunger and may add weights to the bottom portion of the riser to add mass or change the bow's balance. These weights must fit within a 12.2 cm ring and cannot include vibration dampening materials.