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 five divisions for field competitions:

• Recurve
• Compound
• Barebow
• Instinctive
• Longbow

• 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.

• Instinctive archery uses a single string bow whose riser is made primarily of natural materials–which must contain wood or bamboo–either in one piece or laminated. Takedown bows are permitted. Like barebow, the instinctive states what accessories and equipment is permitted and does not allow anything else. No sights, stabilizers, draw checks, or external weights are allowed. No release aids are allowed. Additionally, the instinctive discipline also restricts the techniques which an archer is allowed to use. String and facewalking are not permitted. Archers must shoot split or 3-under (no more than 2mm below the nock).

• Longbow archery uses a single string bow in which the string does not contact the limbs anywhere but the limb nocks when strung. It can be a one or two piece bow shot without a sight, drawcheck, or stabilization. Longbows may be made from any material or combination of materials. Like barebow and instinctive, the rules list only the items permitted and disallow all other equipment. Like instinctive, the longbow division also restricts technique (no string or facewalking, must shoot split or 3-under). The longbow division also requires that archers use wooden arrows.