Shooting Styles

Style Summaries

American Flatbow (AFB)

Summary: A one-piece flatbow. No sight. Wooden arrows. Finger release only (‘Mediterranean’ loose). No stabilisers. No draw checks. No memoranda.

A one-piece bow, of any draw-weight, may be used where the braced limbs curve in one direction only from the handle riser to the string nock. When braced the string must not come into contact with the face of either limb except at the nock grooves. The limb cross-section may vary from oval to rectangular.
The handle may incorporate a cut-away of less than centre-cut to provide an arrow-shelf and the shelf may have a protective cover.
The bowstring may be of different colours as long as the coloured strands run continuously and evenly throughout the string’s length, but the centre serving must be of one colour. One nocking position is permitted (which may be indicated by nocking points both above and below the arrow). Brush buttons and silencers are permitted but no other knots or attachments (in addition to the string serving) that could be used for sighting or location purposes are allowed. No additional vibration dampeners are allowed on or in the handle section or limbs of the bow.
One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot. The ‘Mediterranean’ loose only is permitted. No draw- checks of any kind are permitted.
No internal or external stabilisers are allowed. No form of release aid is permitted.
No deliberate marks can be added to the bow that can be used for aiming.
Arrows shafts must be of wood, fletched with natural feather. No archer may refer to any memoranda which could in any manner be a means of improving a score.

Barebow (BB)

Summary: Non-compound bow. No sight. No arrow restrictions. Finger release only. Single stabilser allowed. No draw checks.

A bow of any draw-weight, but not a compound bow or crossbow, may be used.
No sight of any description can be used. The bowstring may be of different colours as long as the colour ed strands run continuously and evenly throughout the string length, but the centre serving must be of one colour. One nocking position is permitted (which may be indicated by nocking points both above and below the arrow). Brush buttons and silencers are permitted but no other knots or attachments (in addition to the string serving) that could be used for sighting or location purposes are allowed. One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot and the index finger must touch the nock at full draw. No face or string walking is allowed. No draw-checks of any kind are permitted.
A single stabilser of any length is permitted.
Any arrow rest used cannot have an over-draw of more than 2 inches (5cm) behind the throat of the hand-grip. This is measured along the length of a nocked arrow from the point where the arrow touches the rest to the point vertically above the throat of the hand-grip.
No form of release aid is permitted.
No deliberate marks can be added to the bow that can be used for aiming.
No archer may refer to any memoranda which could in any manner be a means of improving his/her score.
Archers shooting in the Barebow class may use binoculars/monocular or placement cards, but not both, to identify the position of the scoring zones while standing at the shooting peg, only as part of their first shot. Any binocular/monocular must not be capable of measuring the distance to the target.

Bowhunter (BH)

Summary: Compound bow. No sight. No arrow restrictions. Finger release only (‘Mediterranean’ loose). A single stabiliser of no more than 12 inches. No draw checks. No memoranda.

A compound bow, but not a compound crossbow, of any draw-weight may be used.
No sight of any description can be used.
The bowstring may be of different colours as long as the coloured strands run continuously and evenly throughout the string’s length, but the centre serving must be of one colour. One nocking position is permitted (which may be indicated by nocking points both above and below the arrow). Brush buttons and silencers are permitted but no other knots or attachments (in addition to the sting serving) that could be used for sighting or location purposes are allowed.
One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot and no face or string walking is allowed. No additional draw-checks can be added to the bow above the manufacturer’s specification and any such draw-check must not be able to be used as a sighting aid.
Any arrow rest used cannot have an over-draw of more than 2 inches (5cm) behind the throat of the hand-grip. This is measured along the length of a nocked arrow from the point where the arrow touches the rest to the point vertically above the throat of the hand-grip.
A single stabiliser of no more than 12 inches (30cm) measured from the back of the bow is permitted. No form of release aid is permitted. The ‘Mediterranean’ loose only is permitted.
No deliberate marks can be added to the bow that can be used for aiming.
No archer may refer to any memoranda which could in any manner be a means of improving a score.

Compound Limited (CL)

Summary: Compound bow. A 5 fixed-pin sight allowed. No arrow restrictions. Finger release only (‘Mediterranean’ loose). Stabilisers permitted. No draw checks.

A compound bow of any draw-weight may be used.
A multi-pin sight with up to five fixed pins may be used.
None of the pins or sight block can be adjusted on the course unless the archer suffers from equipment failure. No spirit level of any kind is permitted. No additional deliberate marks can be added to the bow that can be used for aiming. Pinguards are permitted.
A peep-sight or kisser button is permitted but not both.
One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot. No additional draw-checks can be added to the bow above the manufacturer’s specification and any such draw-check must not be able to be used as a sighting aid.
Any arrow rest used cannot have an over-draw of more than 2 inches (5cm) behind the throat of the hand-grip. This is measured along the length of a nocked arrow from the point where the arrow touches the rest to the point vertically above the throat of the hand-grip.
Any stabiliser(s) or stabiliser system and/or dampeners are permitted.
No form of release aid is permitted. The ‘Mediterranean’ loose only is permitted.
With effect during the whole day, archers shooting in the Compound limited class may use either (but not both) placement cards or binocular/monocular, at any point during the day. Spotting must comply with rule 22 and 23 of the shooting rules for other styles. Any binoculars monocular must not be capable of measuring the distance to the target.

Freestyle (FS)

Summary: Non-compound bow. Adjustable sight. Finger release only. Memoranda allowed.

A bow of any draw-weight, but not a compound bow or crossbow, may be used.
Subject to the ‘NFAS Rules of Shooting’, archers shooting in this class have complete freedom of choice of equipment, with the exception that no form of release aid is allowed and no electrically powered or electronic equipment can be used (eg laser sights, lights on sights).
The sight may be moved at will during shooting. Attachments, knots or bands of any size or design (including a peep sight) may be used on the string irrespective of whether the use is for aiding the sighting or shooting technique.
Any draw-length checking mechanism may be used.

Hunting Tackle (HT)

Summary: Non-compound bow. No sight. Wooden arrows. Finger release only (‘Mediterranean’ loose). No external stabilisers. No draw checks. No memoranda.

A bow of any draw-weight, but not a compound bow or crossbow, may be used.
No sight of any description can be used.
The bowstring may be of different colours as long as the coloured strands run continuously and evenly throughout the string’s length, but the centre serving must be of one colour. One nocking position is permitted (which may be indicated by nocking points both above and below the arrow). Brush buttons and silencers are permitted but no other knots or attachments (in addition to the string serving) that could be used for sighting or location purposes are allowed. One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot. The ‘Mediterranean’ loose only is permitted. No draw-checks of any kind are permitted.
Any arrow rest used cannot have an over-draw of more than 2 inches (5cm) behind the throat of the hand-grip. This is measured along the length of a nocked arrow from the point where the arrow touches the rest to the point vertically above the throat of the hand-grip.
No external stabilisers are allowed.
No form of mechanical or electronic release aid is permitted. No deliberate marks can be added to the bow that can be used for aiming.
Arrows shafts must be of wood, fletched with natural feather. No archer may refer to any memoranda which could in any manner be a means of improving a score.

Longbow (LB)

Summary: Wooden longbow (“D” or oval section). No sight. Wooden arrows. Finger release only (‘Mediterranean’ loose). No stabilisers. No draw checks. No memoranda.

The bow, of any draw-weight, must be of wood only (although partial bamboo construction is permitted), and of ‘D’ or oval section.
When braced the limbs must curve in one direction only from the handle riser to the string nock. When braced the string must not come into contact with the face of either limb except at the nock grooves. The ends of the limbs cannot be recurved. Limb nocks must be of self-nature or made of horn. The handle section/grip must not be shaped in a way that assists hand location. Any hand grip must not be capable of supporting an arrow when the bow is held vertically. The bow must be free of stabilisers or added weight, sights, arrow-rests or cut-aways for the arrow to rest on.
The bowstring may be of different colours as long as the coloured strands run continuously and evenly throughout the string’s length, but the centre serving must be of one colour. One nocking position is permitted (which may be indicated by nocking points both above and below the arrow). Brush buttons and silencers are permitted but no other knots or attachments (in addition to the string serving) that could be used for sighting or location purposes are allowed. No additional vibration dampeners are allowed on the handle section or limbs of the bow. One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot. The ‘Mediterranean’ loose only is permitted. No draw-checks of any kind are permitted.
No form of release aid is permitted.
No deliberate marks can be added to the bow that can be used for aiming.
Arrows shafts must be of wood, fletched with natural feather. No archer may refer to any memoranda which could in any manner be a means of improving a score.

Primitive (PV)

Summary: Hand bow made using natural materials. No crossbows. No sight. Wooden arrows. Any form of hand loose may be used including Mediterranean, two finger, pinch, thumb ring etc. No release aids. No stabilisers. No draw checks. No memoranda.

A Primitive bow is a hand bow made using natural materials only, although synthetic glues, finishes and string may be used in its construction. A cable-backed bow may include a natural or synthetic tensioning cable running along the back. A bow that conforms to the NFAS Longbow class definition may not be used in Primitive class.
Crossbows may not be used in Primitive class.
The bow must be free of stabilisers, sights, or other features which could be used as a sight, such as deliberate marks, bindings, or decoration.
A primitive bow may not include a cut away arrow pass or arrow shelf. No form of arrow rest may be added to the side of the bow. Arrows must be shot off the hand.
The bowstring may be of different colours as long as the coloured strands run continuously and evenly throughout the string’s length, but the centre serving must be of one colour. Synthetic and natural string materials may be used. One nocking position is permitted (which may be indicated by nocking points both above and below the arrow). Brush buttons and silencers are permitted but no other knots or attachments (in addition to the string serving) that could be used for sighting or location purposes are allowed. No additional vibration dampeners are allowed on the handle section or limbs of the bow.
One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot. Any form of hand loose may be used including Mediterranean, two finger, pinch, thumb ring etc. No draw-checks of any kind are permitted on the bow.
No form of release aid is permitted.
Arrows shafts must be of natural material, fletched with feather. Nocks to be self nocks or reinforced with natural material. Plastic taper nocks may not be used.
No archer may refer to any memoranda which could in any manner be a means of improving a score.

Traditional Bowhunter (TB)

Summary: Non-compound bow. No sight. Non-wooden arrows. Finger release only. No external stabilisers. No draw checks. No memoranda.

A bow of any draw-weight, but not a compound bow or crossbow, may be used. The bow may be of one-piece construction, or a 2 or 3-piece takedown. The arrow must be shot from the bow shelf or hand, no sight, rest, or button of any description can be used.
Only one nocking position is permitted (which may be indicated by nocking points both above and below the arrow). No other knots or attachments in addition to the string serving (excluding silencers), that could be used for sighting or location purposes, are allowed. One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot with the index finger on the nock, be it split finger or 3 under or thumb loose. Face walking and string walking are not permitted.
No draw-checks of any kind are permitted. No internal or external stabilisers are allowed (this does not include bow quivers that attach to the side of the riser, be it by bolts or limb grippers). No form of release aid is permitted. No deliberate marks can be added to the bow or arrow that can be used for aiming.
Arrows shafts must be of non-wooden and non-bamboo materials, fletched with natural feather. The handle may incorporate a cut-away of any depth to provide an arrow-shelf. The shelf, and where the shelf meets the inside of the sight window, may have a protective cover, for example, felt, fur, feather etc. Olympic recurves that have been altered to shoot from the shelf are permitted, but all attachments such as clicker screws and additional bolts/screws that are not required MUST be removed.
No archer may refer to any memoranda which could in any manner be a means of improving a score.

Thumb Draw (TD)

Summary: One piece bow. No stablisers, no sights. Thumb loose only.

A one-piece hand bow made of any materials, but not a compound bow, may be used.
There must be no arrow shelf, arrow rest, arrow pass or hand grip on the side on which the arrow is drawn that is capable of supporting an arrow when the bow is held vertically.
The bow must be free of stabilisers or added weight, and of sights or other features which could be used as a sight such as deliberate marks, bindings or decoration.
The bowstring may be of different colours as long as the coloured strands run continuously and evenly throughout the string’s length, but the centre serving must be of one colour.
Brush buttons and silencers are permitted but no other knots or attachments (in addition to the string serving) that could be used for sighting or location purposes are allowed.
The thumb loose only is permitted. Arrows must be shot off the hand. A thumb ring or other form of thumb protection may be worn. No draw checks of any kind are permitted. No form of release aid is permitted.

Traditional Crossbow (TXB)

Summary: Crossbow with a wood stock. No sight. Wooden bolts. Limits on bolt length. Natural material or feather fletches only.

A crossbow (but not a compound crossbow) with a wood stock must be used. No sight of any description can be used. Only wooden bolts, sizes 5/16″, 11/32″ or 23/64″, can be used. The bolt length (excluding pile and nock) must be between 14″ and 16″. Natural material or feather fletches only.
A foot stirrup or T-bar must be used. A cocking rope can only be used. The crossbow must be fitted with a bolt retaining clip. A trigger guard must be in place and a safety mechanism must be used when the bow is cocked. Prods must be made of either steel, fibreglass or wood. Draw weight must not exceed 200lbs. Stroke length must not exceed 9.5″.
A crossbow archer may only cock their bow at the shooting peg. Once loaded the crossbow shall only be pointed in the direction of the target. The archer must not use a rest of any description which provides an additional point of support for the bow whilst shooting. This does not include the archer’s own body.

It is an offence for a person under 18 years of age to have in their possession:
a) A crossbow which is capable of discharging a missile, or
b) Parts of a crossbow which together (and without any other parts) can be assembled to form a crossbow capable of discharging a missile UNLESS the person is under the supervision of someone who is 21 years of age or older.

Unlimited (UL)

Summary: Any bow (including compounds but excluding crossbows). Adjustable sight allowed. No arrow restriction. Release aids allowed. Memoranda OR binoculars allowed.

A hand-bow, which can be a compound bow but not a crossbow, of any draw-weight may be used.
Subject to the General Rules, archers shooting in this class have complete freedom of choice of equipment. No electrically powered or electronic equipment may be used (e.g. electronic release aids, laser sights), with the exception of sight lights that solely illuminate the pin(s). Any release aid used must be safe and not prone to premature release from any cause.
With effect during the whole day, archers shooting in the Unlimited class may use either (but not both) placement cards or binocular/monocular, at any point during the day. Once the shot has been taken no archers may glass the target from the shooting stake. Spotting must comply with 22 and 23 of the shooting rules for other styles. Framing and the act of range finding is not permitted. Any bino/mono must not be capable of measuring the distance to the target.

Crossbow (XB)

Summary: Non-compound crossbows only. Prod must not be aluminium alloy. Minimum bolt length is 14″. Bolt weight must not exceed 500 grains. A cocking rope may be used. Full trigger guard, manual or automatic safety mechanisms and bolt retaining clip are all required. Limitations on telescope sights (please see full rules). Memoranda allowed.

A bow of any draw weight may be used, but not of compound design.
The crossbow prod can be made from any materials except aluminium alloy.
The minimum bolt length is to be 14″.
The bow must have a full trigger guard.
A manual or automatic safety mechanism must be fitted to the crossbow and be fully functional.
The crossbow must be fitted with a bolt retaining clip.
A foot stirrup or T-bar is permitted. A cocking rope only may be used, no other cocking devices/aids are allowed. Bolt weight must not exceed 500 total grains (including point, fletches and insert).
A telescopic sight with adjustable parallax is not permitted. A telescopic sight with an adjustable focus objective lens is not permitted. Telescopic sights with variable magnification are allowed but cannot be adjusted during a shoot. All types of reticule including mil dot and illuminated are permitted. Telescopic sights with an adjustable ocular lens (eye piece) focus are permitted but cannot be adjusted during the shoot. The archer must allow scrutiny of the sight by any NFAS official, shoot organiser or marshal.
A crossbow archer may only cock his/her bow at the shooting peg or as close as reasonably possible to the peg being shot, and only loaded at that peg. Once loaded the crossbow shall only be pointed in the direction of the target. The archer must not use a rest of any description which provides an additional point of support for the bow whilst shooting. This does not include the archer’s own body.
It is an offence for a person under 18 years of age to have in their possession:
a) A crossbow which is capable of discharging a missile, or b) Parts of a crossbow which together (and without any other parts) can be assembled to form a crossbow capable of discharging a missile.
UNLESS the person is under the supervision of someone who is 21 years of age or older.