Longbow Archery Club

affiliated to the British Longbow Society

Ettrick Forest Archers © All Rights Reserved.

All rounds are shot two way with the exception of the Portsmouth which may be shot in one direction only.  Ends are always of three arrows: archers inadvertently shooting four or more may only count the worst three of those shot.  Distances are traditionally described in scores of yards, e.g. ladies at clout shoot at six score (120) yards.  The number of arrows shot is usually talked of as so many dozens shot at each distance.

               Clout Rounds

The scoring rings marked on the ground (or on the measuring string) are worth, from the outside working in, 1 (the white length on the string), 2 (black), 3 (blue), 4 (red) or 5 (gold) points.  A hit in or touching the clout scores 6.  Arrows are judged on where they enter the ground rather than on where the pile is, and those landing on the line between two scoring rings (cutters) are awarded the higher score.  Arrows rebounding from the clout or the ground (bouncers) are scored according to where the pile lies on the ground. 

Sometimes an additional “shoot-off by ends” is held.  For this, during the double round the scorer makes note each end of whose arrow is nearest the middle – not always the best scoring arrow as it is judged by the part of the arrow nearest the clout, not necessarily where it meets the ground.  At the end of the double round, shoot-offs are held for the four ladies and four gentlemen with the most best arrows.  Each archer shoots these arrows individually in turn and the nearest to the clout wins.

In competition, placings are judged by score first, then by hits in the case of a tie, then if necessary by clouts.  Medals, however, are not awarded on the basis of 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Silver medals go to the lady and gentlemen with the highest scores for the double rounds and bronze medals to the lady and gentleman with the best score for the first and second single rounds.  No archers may be awarded more than one medal with the exception of the shoot-off medals as these are judged to be for a separate contest. 

           Double Clout     

2 rounds, each of 3 doz. Arrows.

Ladies and Juniors @ 120 yards.

Gentlemen @ 180 yards.

               Target Rounds

The longest distance is always shot first.  Scoring is as follows: gold 9, red 7, blue 5,   black 3 and white 1.  Arrows hitting the boss outwith the scoring area (petticoats) and those rebounding or falling out of the target (bouncers) score nothing.  Line-cutters are awarded the higher score.

In competition, placings are judged on number of hits first, then by score in the case of a tie, then by golds if it’s still a tie, and then if necessary by inner golds.  Again, medals are not awarded on the basis of 1st, 2nd, 3rd.  Silver medals are awarded to the lady and gentleman with the most hits for the round.  Bronze medals are awarded next to those with the highest score, and further bronze medals to those with the most golds.  No archer may be awarded more than one medal for the round.

                          York                        6 doz @ 100 yds, 4 doz @ 80 yds, 2 doz @ 60yds

                          Double National    2 rounds each of 4 doz @ 60 yds, 2 doz @ 50 yds

                          Albion                     3 doz @ 80 yds, 3 doz @60 yds, 3 doz @ 50 yds

                          Windsor                  3 doz @ 60 yds, 3 doz @50 yds, 3 doz @ 40 yds

                          Western                  4 doz @ 60 yds, 4 doz @50 yds

                          National                  4 doz @ 60 yds, 2 doz @50 yds

                          Portsmouth            5 doz @ 20 yds shot at a 60cm target face

Traditionally in the BL-BS, the York is the premier round for the gentlemen while ladies and juniors shoot the Double National.  All other target rounds are shot as mixed rounds, with the ladies, gentlemen and juniors shooting the same distances and sharing the shooting line.

Shorter versions of most rounds exist (i.e. shorter distances – the number of arrows shot remains the same).  These shorter rounds can be set up at club meetings for novices, juniors and those whose bows won’t reach the full distance.  However, at BL-BS open meetings the full normal round is always shot and juniors of all ages are expected to shoot the ladies’ distances.