Target, field and 3D archery: what is the difference?

Four common formats compared

Indoor and outdoor competitions can both be part of the same discipline: target archery. The table covers World Archery formats; distances also depend on the bow division and age category.

Target archery: a fixed distance and a repeatable shot

Archers shoot from a shooting line at their assigned circular targets. Outdoors, the 70 m recurve round uses a 122 cm face, the 50 m compound round an 80 cm face, and the 50 m barebow round a 122 cm face. Other age categories and rounds use different combinations.

Indoors, 18 m is the usual distance and the target is smaller. On a triple-spot face, each arrow is shot at a separate spot. The compound 10-ring is smaller than the recurve 10-ring: 2 cm rather than 4 cm. Outdoors, wind and changing light add to the challenge of the shot.

Field archery: circular targets, terrain and distance judging

In field archery, a group follows a marked course from one target to the next. The distance, target size, shooting angle and light change along the way. Three arrows are shot at each target. The yellow centre scores 6 and 5 points, while the outer rings score from 4 down to 1.

Marked distances are given to the archer; unmarked distances must be estimated. In World Archery field rounds, adult recurve and compound distances are 10–60 m on a marked course and 10–55 m on an unmarked course. For adult barebow, the respective ranges are 5–50 m and 5–45 m.

Under the 2026 rules, the outer rings of a field target may be black or teal. World and continental championships use yellow and teal faces. The target colours do not change the values of the six scoring zones.

3D archery: three-dimensional targets and scoring zones

A 3D course uses three-dimensional foam sporting targets instead of flat circular faces. Before shooting, it is important to understand the scoring zones on each target: different parts of its outline do not all carry the same score.

World Archery 3D distances are unmarked. The smallest central zone is worth 11 points, followed by zones worth 10, 8 and 5. In qualification, two arrows are shot at each target. A target’s appearance alone does not tell you which rules a competition follows.

World Archery and IFAA: check the rules behind the name

The International Field Archery Association (IFAA) has its own rounds, bow divisions and scoring system. Its field round should not automatically be treated as equivalent to World Archery field archery:

• IFAA Field uses black and white circular target faces, known distances and scoring zones worth 5, 4 and 3 points.
• IFAA Hunter is a separate format with black circular faces and a white centre. Distances are also marked, and the zones score 5, 4 and 3. It is not another name for 3D archery.
• IFAA 3D Standard uses two arrows, both of which count, with scoring zones worth 10, 8 and 5. IFAA also has a separate one-arrow 3D format with different scoring values.

IFAA distance tables also use yards and feet. Before entering, check the governing organisation, the specific round, the units of measurement, and your age category and bow division as well as the discipline’s name. Read the official IFAA Book of Rules together with its published clarifications.

What should you check before choosing a competition?

Start with the organiser’s invitation and competition rules. Look for answers to these questions:

• Will the event follow World Archery, IFAA or local rules?
• What are your bow division and age category, and which distances apply?
• Are distances given, how many arrows are shot, and which targets are used?
• What are the equipment requirements, entry conditions and competition procedures?
• If the event follows a course, what terrain, footwear and preparation should you expect?

For competitions in Lithuania, see the Lithuanian Archery Federation calendar and the Lithuanian IFAA community website. You can look for training venues in the federation’s official club directory; ask the organising club about a particular discipline or course.

Interested in starting archery in Klaipėda? Contact Klaipėdos lankininkai and tell us which discipline interests you and whether you have any archery experience.