Archery Australia Inc
Book 4:Crossbow Regulations
Refer to current World Crossbow Shooting Association Rules (WCSA) for:
Outdoor Target Archery Indoor Target Archery Field Archery
Refer to current Archer Australia Shooting Rules for: Clout Archery Flight
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Chapter Fifteen: Target Crossbow 15.1 Introduction
15.1.1 These Rules are designed to regulate Target Crossbow shooting domestically within Australia, under the auspices of Archery Australia Inc.
15.2 Glossary of Terms
Arbalest Includes Arbalest Athlete A person who shoots a bow of any description, and is affiliated with Archery Australia Inc, and may include the descriptive term “arbalest” of either gender and any age. Athlete with a Disability - Assisted Arbalest An athlete with a permanent physical disability and requiring assistance to shoot, load, hold or span the bow or to stand on the shooting line. This includes wheelchair athletes. Athlete Assistant An assistant to a disabled crossbow athlete /assisted arbalest Bolt The projectile shot from a crossbow (also arrow) - part of an arbalests “equipment” as per Rule 15.19. Butt The target backstop. Catch That part of the trigger mechanism which holds the string of a spanned crossbow (also latch, claw or dogs). Cock (to) The act of pre-setting a set-trigger trigger mechanism, preparatory to spanning the crossbow. Crossbow A Target, Sporting or Medieval Crossbow which meets the specifications of th WCSA Rules. Division The WCSA descriptive term for the Archery Australia Inc approved Crossbow Categories allowed under its Rules e.g. Target, Sporting or Medieval Crossbow as detailed in the WCSA Rule book. The Archery Australia Inc descriptive term for the approved Target or Sporting Crossbow Category allowed under its rules.
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Load The act of placing a bolt into a spanned Crossbow. Prod That part of the Crossbow which stores energy to be released to propel the bolt (also bow-limbs, and bow). Rebound A bolt which has hit the surface of the butt/target face and bounced back from the target. Relay That group of shooters currently shooting together. Set-trigger A trigger mechanism having two separate trigger levers, one of which must be activated to ready the catch mechanism to engage and hold the spanned string of a Crossbow. The second (trigger) is then depressed to release the string from the catch. Span The act of drawing the string of a braced Crossbow so as to engage the catch. Sporting Crossbow A mass produced Crossbow that complies with the WCSA rules as a Sporting Crossbow. Target Crossbow A Crossbow that complies with the WCSA Rules as a Target Crossbow. Medieval Crossbow A Crossbow that complies with the WCSA Rules as a Medieval Crossbow.
Weapons Permit Any permit, Shooters' Licence or other official paperwork required of an Arbalest under any State, Federal or Territory or Local Government legislation, including policies, in order to legally possess, acquire, store, shoot or transport a Crossbow throughout a State or Territory of Australia. The Weapons Permit is required to be carried when using or transporting the crossbow, and produced at bow scrutineering at competitions. World Crossbow Shooting Association The International governing body for Crossbow shooting and to which Archery Australia Inc is affiliated. (Abbreviated as WCSA.)
15.3 Disciplines 15.3.1 Crossbow competitions are classified in the following Disciplines: Outdoor Target Indoor Target Field
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Clout Flight.
15.3.2 Wherever possible, these rules encourage the integration of arbalests onto the general shooting line. 15.4 Classes 15.4.1 The Association recognises the following Classes of competition: Women (Open) Men (Open) Master Women 50 – 59 years Master Men 50 – 59 years Veteran Women 60 years + Veteran Men 60 years + Junior Women (Under 18 years) Junior Men (Under 18 years) 15.5 Divisions The following Divisions are recognised for Outdoor Target, Indoor Target, Field, Clout and Flight Archery competition, classifications and records: Target Crossbow Division for equipment as specified in WCSA Rules. 15.6 Arbalest Classification
15.6.1 General 1. The Classification system for arbalests shall comprise: Grand Master Arbalest (GMA) Master Arbalest (MA) First Class Arbalest (A1) Second Class Arbalest (A2) Third Class Arbalest (A3) for each of Indoor & Outdoor Target, Field, Clout, and Flight. The performance relevant for each Classification shall be adopted from that stated in Schedule 15C. 2. A Member upon Classification or upon re-classification shall be entitled to wear the Classification badge for that class. 3. Arbalests attaining Master Arbalest or Grand Master Arbalest Classification must requalify in each succeeding calendar year to retain that Classification level.
15.6.2 Classification Organisation and Responsibilities Refer to Clause 4.2.2 Organisation. (Read Arbalest in place of Bowman and Archer).
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15.6.3 Conditions of Qualification – Outdoor Target: 1. To attain an Outdoor Target Classification an arbalest must shoot during the calendar year and under Association, FITA or WCSA Rules, three target rounds equal to or higher than the rating levels listed in Schedule 15c.1 and obtained from Schedule 15D. 2. The qualification rounds to achieve 1st, 2nd and 3rd Classification shall include at least 24 bolts or more at the distances shown in the tables in 15.6.3.3 and be a round comprising 60 bolts or more. To achieve a GMA or MA Classification, the rounds shall include at least 24 bolts or more at the distances shown in the tables in 15.6.3.3 and be a round comprising 90 bolts or more. One of which is to be shot at an event in which arbalests from more than one club are competing. 3. The table hereunder provides the minimum distances and maximum face size required in rounds used to gain a Classification.
Rounds Distance Target Face Size Any round starting with distance over - 70m 80cm Any round starting with a distance under - 70m 60cm or 40cm
Distances Metres GMA MA 1st 2nd All Classes 65 65 60 50
4. For all Classifications except where more explicitly stated, qualifying rounds shall be shot at meetings organised by the Association or a body affiliated with the Association or at an associated club day, for which the round is scheduled and where there are at least three members of the Association participating in the scoring and witnessing process.
15.6.4 Conditions of Qualification – Indoor Refer to section 4.2.4. (Read Arbalest in place of Athlete – and WCSA after FITA - Schedule 15C.1 in place of 4B2 and Schedule 15D in place of 4C). The full sized 10 zone ring is to be used no inner 10. 15.6.5 Conditions of Qualification – Field Refer to section 4.2.5. (Read Arbalest in place of Athlete – and WCSA after FITA - Schedule 15C.1 in place of 4B3 Schedule 4C).
15.6.6 Conditions of Qualification - Clout Refer to section 4.2.6. Read Schedule 15C.2 in place of 4B4. 15.6.7 Conditions of Qualification - Flight Refer to section 4.2.7. Read Schedule 15C.3 in place of 4A5. 15.7 Special Provisions The following special provision is adopted for domestic Crossbow competition.
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Where a permanent disability, or illness requires an arbalest to wear a surgical support, or prosthesis, its use should be subject to the provision of a medical certificate. 15.8 An Arbalest’s Responsibility for Safety An athlete shall not place others at risk by careless or lax shooting attitudes and poor tackle maintenance habits. 15.9 Outdoor Target.
15.9.1 Rounds The Association recognises that any combination of target face and distance can constitute an event; however only those rounds listed in Schedule 15B1 may be used as the basis of an Association record claim. A variety of standard combinations is given in Schedule 15A1 for information. Attention is drawn to section 15.6 regarding the requirements for classifications.
15.9.2 Range Layout Refer to section 9.2 Range Layout. (Read arbalest in place of athletes). Delete 9.2.4 wording and insert “Targets shall be spaced such that there is at least 1.5m per arbalest per detail”. A butt for the testing of crossbows after repair of trigger failures may be set up at a short distance (10–20 metres) within a safe area where it can be utilised at any time. Delete 9.2.10 wording and insert “A recommended layout for tournaments is shown in Appendix 15A” Barriers to keep spectators out should be at least 40m beyond the target base line and 20m beyond the ends of the target shooting and waiting lines.
15.9.3 Targets 1. The target butt shall be a minimum of, for 1 target 85cm x 85cm or at least 85cm in diameter, for 2 targets 128cm x 85cm or at least 128cm in diameter, made from suitable material such that arrows will not ordinarily rebound from, pass through or be damaged by it. 2. The target butt shall be supported on a suitable framework so that its centre is 130 cm + 5 cm above the average surrounding ground level. The target butt and framework shall be securely anchored to the ground. 3. The face of the target butt shall be inclined backwards such that the angle from vertical is about 10 degrees with all targets appearing uniform. 4. A wind indicating flag may be fitted to each target however, if used all targets must be so fitted. Such flags shall be of any light material and colour and shall consist of 2 strips 40cm long x 5 cm wide, suspended on a ‘T’ pole. The T being 30cm max in width and 40cm above the butt. (for diagram see appendix 15 G). 5. Targets shall be numbered. The numbers shall be 30cm square and shall be black figures on a yellow background, alternating with yellow figures on a black background (eg. No. 1 black on yellow, No. 2 yellow on black, etc.). Target numbers shall be affixed above or below the
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centre of each target, so as to be clear of the target face. Targets shall be numbered consecutively. 6. Flags or some other suitable device, may be provided with which scorers at the target and archers at the shooting line can signal for a judge.
15.9.4 Target Faces Refer Clauses 9.3.2 & 10.3.2 Target faces. 1 or 2 arbalests shooting the face/s centre shall be 130cm ±5cm. Should 3 or 4 arbalests be required to shoot on the same butt the upper 60cm/40cm face/s centre shall be 160cm ±2cm and the lower face/s centre shall be 100cm ±2cm from ground level.
15.9.5 Arbalest Equipment Refer to WCSA rules.
15.9.6 Shooting Control and Safety Refer to Article 9.5 Shooting Control and Safety. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow).
15.9.7 Order of Shooting and Timing Control Refer to Article 9.6 Order of Shooting and Timing Control. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow). 15.9.8 Shooting Refer section 9.7 Shooting. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow). Insert at end of 9.7.1 “Practice may at the discretion of the club or tournament organisers also be made available at each distance change (1 end of 3 bolts in 5 minutes). All practice shall be conducted under the control of the DOS. (preference for 5 minutes per three (3) bolts.)” Refer to trigger failure 15.9.2.
15.9.9 Scoring Refer to 9.8 Scoring.
15.9.10 Ties Refer to 9.9 Scoring. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow). 15.10 Indoor Target
15.10.1 Rounds The Association recognises that any combination of target face and distance can constitute an event, however only those rounds listed in Schedule 15B2 may be used as the basis of an Association record claim. A variety of standard combinations is given in Schedule 15A2 for information. Attention is drawn to section 15.6 regarding the requirements for classifications.
15.10.2 Range Layout Refer to Article 10.2. (Read arbalest in place of archer).
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Clause 10.2.2.7 Delete 80cm insert 1.5m.
15.10.3 Targets Refer to Sub-Clause 10.3.1.2 delete “vertical“ insert “horizontal”
15.10.4 Target Faces Refer to Clause 10.3.2.3 delete “vertical” insert “horizontal”.
15.10.5 Arbalest Equipment Refer to WCSA rules.
15.10.6 Shooting Control and Safety Refer to Article 10.5 Shooting Control and Safety. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow). Arbalests may span, load and raise but not shoulder or aim the Crossbow (it must be pointed at the ground, directed towards the arbalests designated target and held in a safe position) while on the shooting line before the commencement to shoot signal (1 blast) is given.
15.10.7 Order of Shooting and Timing Control Refer to Article 10.6 Order of Shooting and Timing Control. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow).
15.10.8 Shooting Refer to Article 10.7 Shooting. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow). Insert at end of 10.7.1 “Practice may at the discretion of club or Organising Committee also be made available at each distance change (1 end of 3 bolts in 5 minutes). All practice shall be conducted under the control of the DOS. (preference for 5 minutes per three (3) bolts.)” Refer to Clause 15.9.2 for trigger failure.
15.10.9 Scoring Refer to Article 10.8 Scoring. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow).
15.10.10 Ties Refer to Article 10.9 Scoring. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow). 15.11 Field Refer to Chapter Eleven – Field Archery. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow). Clause 11.1 delete 4A 2, insert 15B 4. Delete 11.4.1 insert refer to Chapter 15.9, 15.10, 15.11 for arbalests' equipment.
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15.12 Clout
15.12.1 Refer to Chapter twelve Clout Archery. (Read arbalest in place of archer and bolt in place of arrow). 15.12.2 Delete 12.1 insert Arbalests may shoot any of the clout distances shown on Schedule 15A 3. However, only those shown on Schedule 15C 2 & 15B 3 may be used for classification purposes and Association record claims. Attention is drawn to Section 15.6 regarding the requirements for classification purposes. See Schedule 12B for Target Captains' duties. 15.12.3 A clout round comprises six (6) ends of six (6) bolts (36 bolts). 15.12.4 Delete 12.4.1 insert refer to 15.9, 15.10, 15.11 for arbalests equipment. 15.12.5 Arrows - Refer to 12.4.2. Only the following variation to equipment is allowed for crossbows 12.4.2.2 and bolts may be fitted with field points. 15.12.6 Time limit 12.6.1.
15.13 Flight
Refer Chapter Thirteen Flight Archery.
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SCHEDULE 15A CROSSBOW TARGET ROUNDS 1. Outdoor Target Rounds As AA target rounds contain several similar rounds with only different face sizes, the Crossbow Rounds listed in Schedule 15A have been rationalised to avoid confusion. These rounds are prefixed with an “X-” e.g. “X-FITA 60/90 previously know as a Canberra” to denote a Crossbow round. The face size nominated is to be used for all record and classification purposes.
Number of Bolts at each Distance (Metres)
Round Total 90 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 Poss Bolts Score
Australian 960 96 24* 24* 24* 24# 960
SC 600 60 20 20 20 600
TC 900 90 30* 30* 30* 900
X – Long 65 m 90 90* 900
X – Melbourne 50 m 90 90* 900
X – Short 35 m 90 90# 900
X – FITA 90/144 144 36+ 36+ 36* 36* 1440
X – FITA 70/144 144 36* 36* 36# 36# 1440
X – FITA 60/144 144 36* 36* 36# 36# 1440
X – Intermediate 144 36* 36* 36# 36# 1440
X – Sydney 120 30* 30* 30* 30* 1200
X – Brisbane 120 30* 30* 30# 30# 1200
X – Adelaide 120 30* 30* 30# 30# 1200
X – Short Adelaide 120 30* 30* 30# 30# 1200
X – Hobart 90 30+ 30+ 30+ 900
X – Perth 90 30* 30* 30* 900
X – FITA 60/90 90 30* 30* 30* 900
X – Darwin 90 90* 900
X – Geelong 90 90* 900
X – Holt 90 90# 900
X – Drake 90 90# 900
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X – Wollongong 72 36+ 36+ 720
X – Townsville 72 36* 36* 720
X – Launceston 72 36* 36* 720
Legend: +80cm FITA Target Face *60cm FITA Target Face #40cm FITA Target Face
2. Indoor Target Rounds The following Indoor Rounds are approved for Crossbow competition in Australia:
WCSA INDOOR ROUNDS 1. WCSA 18m 600 Round (TC600 /25) 60 competition bolts from 18m using: Triple Triangular 25cm face Triple Vertical 25cm face ( preferred )
2. WCSA 18m 600 Round (TC600 /40) 60 competition bolts from 18m using: . Triple Triangular 40cm face . Triple Vertical 40cm face ( preferred )
ARCHERY AUSTRALIA/FITA ROUNDS 1. FITA Indoor Rounds FITA 18m - 60 competition bolts from 18m - 40cm face no inner ten ring. FITA 25m - 60 competition bolts from 25m - 60cm face no inner ten ring. 2. AA Indoor Rounds AUS 1 - 30 competition bolts from 18m - 40cm face no inner ten ring. AUS 2 - 30 competition bolts from 25m - 60cm face no inner ten ring.
Notes: The full size ten ring shall be used for all Crossbow events. Arbalests may elect to shoot either a full size 10 ring face, or a Triple Triangle face configuration.
3. Clout Rounds The following Clout Rounds are approved for Crossbow competition in Australia.
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Men all age groups 180m Women all age groups 165m
SCHEDULE 15 B - ROUNDS FOR WHICH RECORDS MAY BE SHOT 1. Outdoor Target Rounds
National Championship and Tournament Records may be claimed within the Division of Target and Sporting Crossbow for the Classes of:
Men Women Master Men Veteran Men Master Women Veteran Women Junior Men Junior Women Assisted Men Assisted Women for the following rounds:
Tournament Records
Australian 960 TC900 X FITA 60/90 SC600
2. Indoor Target Rounds
National Championships and Tournament Records may be claimed within the Division of Target and Sporting Crossbow for the classes of:
Men Women Master Men Veteran Men Master Women Veteran Women Junior Men
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Junior Women Assisted Men Assisted Women for the following rounds:
Tournament Records
WCSA TC 600/40 (40cm@ 18m) WCSA TC 600/25 (25cm@ 10m) AUST 1 (40cm@ 18m) AUST 2 (60cm@ 25m)
3. Clout Rounds National Championships and Tournament Records may be claimed for both single (36 bolts) and double (72 bolts) Clout within the Division of Target and Sporting Crossbow for the Classes of:
Men Women Master Men Veteran Men Master Women Veteran Women Junior Men Junior Women Assisted Men Assisted Women for the following distances:
Men 180m Women 165m Master Men 180m Veteran Men 180m Master Women 165m Veteran Women 165m Junior Men 180m Junior Women 165m
3. Field Rounds
All arbalests shooting FITA Field events shall shoot from the Red Pegs for both 24 Target Marked, 24 Target Unmarked, and composite 24 Target Marked/Unmarked
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Field Rounds, and may claim the appropriate records within the Division of Target and Sporting Crossbow for the Classes of.
Men Women Master Men Veteran Men Master Women Veteran Women Junior Men Junior Women Assisted Men Assisted Women
5. Flight
Arbalests in all Classes as listed below may claim records according to the prod weight Classes as outlined in Schedule 15 C3.
Men Women Master Men Veteran Men Master Women Veteran Women Junior Men Junior Women Assisted Men Assisted Women
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SCHEDULE 15 C CROSSBOW CLASSIFICATION RATINGS
1. Target/Field The following tables give the rating indexes for Arbalest Target and Field Classifications.
A. Target Crossbows (Outdoor, Indoor & Field Ratings):
CLASS GMA MA 1ST 2ND 3RD Men 105 95 85 70 55 Women 100 90 80 65 50 Master & Veteran Men 100 90 80 65 50 Master & Veteran Women 95 85 75 60 45 Junior Boys 95 85 75 60 45 Junior Girls 90 80 70 55 40
2. CLOUT
The appropriate ratings for all Classes and equipment are based on scores (single 10 ring Clout Round) shot over distances as listed in Schedule 15A 3, Clout Rounds.
The appropriate scores are as follows:-
Classifications:
GMA 306 MA 285 1st Class 260 2nd Class 200 3rd Class 170
4. FLIGHT
These shall be as per Schedule 4B.5. The weight divisions for Crossbow equipment shall be:
Crossbows up to 43 Kg (95 lb.)
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Crossbows with unlimited prod weight above 43 kg (includes all compound prods.)
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