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feature: Classification rounds posted by Eric Anderson on February 28th 2011

The IFAA Hunter Round Face The IFAA Field Round Face

The IFAA Classification Rounds

Field and Hunter

The Hunter and Field Rounds could be seen as the cornerstones of the IFAA's approach to marked distance shooting. They both consist of 28 targets shot over two units, or 'halves' of fourteen. Four arrows are shot at each target, the sizes of which vary in diameter from 20 to 65 centimetres, from distances which vary from 20 feet up to 80 yards(50 for juniors). There is also a Combination Round in which one half is shot under Hunter rules and the other half under Field rules. Only these three rounds are classification rounds(see below). Each year EFAA members are issued a new classification card where their scores for these rounds are recorded.

In all 112 arrows are shot and with the center spot scoring five, the maximum for a complete round is 560, a score which is achieved exceptionally rarely, even by the very best archers.

For the various shots, the marker pegs, red for the Hunter and white for the Field, will be set as 'Straight', 'Fan', or 'Walk-up'.

  • 'Straight' means that all four arrows are shot from the same marker.
  • For a 'Fan', one arrow is shot from each of the markers which are set equi-distantly from the target but spread out sideways.
  • In a 'Walk-up', archers shoot either two arrows from each of two markers, or one arrow from each of four markers, with the markers being set on the same line to the target but at reducing distances.

    Blue markers set at no more than 50 yards are provided for juniors on the longer shots and cubs shoot from a maximum of thirty yards using their own set of black coloured markers. This is the current set up used on the White Mark course.

    Other than the obvious colour difference, the Hunter and Field target faces are very similar, having three major scoring zones plus a small ring within the center spot featuring a contrasting 'X'. 'The X', as it is known, carries no extra score but in competetitions the number of 'X's hit is recorded and may be used for tie breaking.

    The Hunter Round Scoring Zones The Field Round Scoring Zones

    Hunter Round soring zones

    The International Round also uses the Hunter face but is shot using the Field Round distances. However, the length of the round is reduced to just twenty targets with only three arrows shot at each.

    		 
    Field Round soring zones

    The Field face is also used for the Expert Round which is identical to the Field Round in all respects other than the scoring. The Expert Round uses five scoring zones as depicted above.

    What is Classification?

    Classification forms the basis of the IFAA incentive and award schemes. Scores in the Hunter, Field, and Combination rounds are used measure archers' current skill levels. Obviously, an archer using a bow without sights or other aids cannot be expected to score as much as one with sights and the other high-tech gadgets so, each style of bow described by the rules is allocated a set of class threshold scores allowing for age and gender.

    The classes are 'A', 'B', and 'C'. Archers start off at class 'C' and will move up to class 'B' only after scoring above the class 'B' threshold at least twice within a twelve month period and have to maintain that standard to remain within that class, and likewise must reach the next threshold to obtain class 'A'.

    For 'A' class archers there are higher sets of threshold scores defining Field Master, Grand Field Master, and Supreme Field Master status. In major competitions, as well as prizes for the overall winners, 'Class Awards' are presented for the best performances by archers in classes 'B' and 'C' so even relative beginners have an incentive to enter these events.

    The general EFAA rules also apply to these rounds and for more information, visit either the EFAA or IFAA websites.

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