The National Round
What is the National Round?
The National Round is a traditional target archery round governed by Archery GB. It is designed to be accessible for archers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced competitors. The round balances challenge and enjoyment, making it a favorite for club competitions and casual shooting.
Format of the National Round
In the standard National Round, archers shoot:
- 48 arrows (4 dozen) at 60 yards
- 24 arrows (2 dozen) at 50 yards
Shooting a total of 72 arrows for the round. The target face used is the 122 cm standard target, which features a five-zone scoring system:
- Gold (Inner & Outer) – 9 points
- Red – 7 points
- Blue – 5 points
- Black – 3 points
- White – 1 point
For more information on scoring, check out the Archery Scoresheet
Variations of the National Round
There are several variants of the National Round to make the competition fair for archers of different ages, genders, and experience levels. These adjust the shooting distances while keeping the same format of four dozen arrows at one distance, followed by two dozen at a shorter distance, shooting 72 arrows with a maximum score of 648.
| Round Name | First Distance | Second Distance |
|---|---|---|
| New National | 100 yards | 80 yards |
| Long National | 80 yards | 60 yards |
| National | 60 yards | 50 yards |
| National 50 | 50 yards | 40 yards |
| National 40 | 40 yards | 30 yards |
| National 30 | 30 yards | 20 yards |
Often in competitive competitions, the round is shot as a Double National, i.e., two back-to-back rounds.
Why Shoot a National Round?
- Reasonable Arrow Count—With only 72 arrows to shoot, this is an excellent starter round.
- Scalable—With rounds starting at 30/20 yards, shooting opportunities exist for younger and less experienced archers.
- Traditional British Heritage – The National Round has been shot since the middle of the 19th century, making it a staple in the history of British archery.
- Classification and Handicap – The round counts towards gaining a classification and handicap.
Equipment Considerations
- The National Round is open to all bow styles, including recurve, compound, barebow, and longbow.
History
The National round was first introduced in 1849 as part of the traditional archery family. It is shot extensively in competitions, most notably the Olympics in 1904 and 1908 for the women’s round.
There is an excellent article on Wikipedia: Archery at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Women’s double National round.
Final Thoughts
The National Round, with its moderate arrow count, is a great introductory round. Whether aiming for personal progress or competing in a club event, the National Round offers a rewarding experience within a time-efficient and inclusive format.