The Short Metric World Archery Round is a popular choice for beginners in archery, serving as an ideal progression round for those looking to enhance their skills.

Format of the Short Metric Round

In the Short Metric Round, archers shoot:

• 36 arrows (3 dozen) at 50 meters
• 36 arrows (3 dozen) at 30 meters

Shooting a total of 72 arrows for the round with a maximum score of 720.

The target face used is the 80 cm standard target, which features a ten-zone scoring system:

• Gold (10 & 9 points)
• Red (8 & 7 points)
• Blue (6 & 5 points)
• Black (4 & 3 points)
• White (2 & 1 point)

For more information on scoring, check out the Archery Scoresheet.

Why Shoot a Short Metric Round?

• Manageable Arrow Count — With only 72 arrows to shoot, this round is suitable for practice, competition, or classification attempts.
• Accessible Distances — With distances at 50 and 30 meters, the round is ideal for progressing archers and those building up to longer distances.
• Widely Used — The Short Metric Round is a standard option in UK and international archery.
• Classification and Handicap — The round counts towards both classification and handicap for all age groups.

Equipment Considerations

The Short Metric Round is open to all bow styles, including recurve, compound, barebow, and longbow.

History

The Short Metric was introduced in the early 1930s as part of FITA’s attempt to standardise archery rounds. It is frequently used in junior competitions and multi-distance events.
FITA is now known as World Archery

Final Thoughts

The Short Metric Round offers a balanced format for archers seeking a moderately challenging round with shorter distances than longer Metric rounds, while still providing a strong base for progress and competitive scoring.