Imperial Rounds

Originally called GNAS rounds (Grand National Archery Society rounds), April 1st 2022 saw a major overhaul of the rounds which are now more commonly referred to as Imperial Rounds. The changes include renaming some rounds, introducing "families" or "variety" of rounds, which in turn included some new distances (often longer) within those families.

In the tables below, the new names are given first and where applicable, the original name is also provided in brackets.

Standard imperial target

Imperial rounds mostly use imperial systems, so distances are in yards. Target faces however are measured in either inches or centimeters depending on the round.

For imperial outdoor events, a 5-zone scoring system is used:

Target faces use the 5-zone scoring zone system as follows (centre to outer edge):

In practice, a metric 10-zone target is often used, but the scoring for imperial rounds remain as described above, ignoring any division in the coloured rings.

For GNAS metric outdoor and all GNAS indoor events, the 10-zone scoring system is used:

The exception is the yellow (which archers call "Gold") which has three scoring sections. For compound bows, only the innermost circle scores 10 points and the outer two score 9. For other bow types, the two inner circles score 10 points and the outer gold scores 9 points.

Worcester target

The Worcester target is somewhat different to others, being a 16" white on black face.

Scoring is as follows (centre to outer edge):

Two targets are used, one above the other. One person starts shooting at the top target and another person usually shoots at the same time, but at the lower target. After 6 ends (30 arrows), the archers swap targets for the remaining 30 arrows. Forgettting which target you are using and hitting the wrong target face is scored as a miss.

Rounds

A full round is often shot over several different distances (particularly outdoor). In these cases you shoot at the longest distance first, then progress to the next longest and so on. For imperial rounds, same 122cm sized target is used throughout, but for GNAS metric rounds, the target face may be 122cm, 80cm or a combination of both. The longest distance sometimes has the most arrows shot at it, and the number of arrows usually decreases as the distance gets shorter. Other rounds have the same number of arrows shot at each distance.

Traditionally the number of arrows is stated in dozens, so a 3 dozen end will consist of 36 arrows. Normally three arrows are shot at a time, then the arrows are scored and collected, before the next three arrows are shot. See below for distances, target sizes and number of arrows shot. There are traditionally gentlemen, ladies and junior rounds, but this tends to be more the norm at competitions and anyone can actually shoot any type of round as preferred during practice.

GNAS Indoor Rounds

Dozens of arrows shot at each distance/target using 10-zone face

[1] The Worcester round is normally shot in 12 ends of five arrows (with only 5 arrows as sighters). After 30 arrows, archers swap target faces for the remaining 30 arrows.

Given the nature of our indoor shooting hall, a short version of the Portsmouth round is most often shot at the Targeting Archery Club indoor shooting sessions, due to the restriction of 16yds available in the hall.

GNAS Imperial Outdoor Rounds

Dozens of arrows shot at each distance/target using 5-zone face

GNAS Metric Outdoor Rounds

Dozens of arrows shot at each distance/target using 10-zone face