Qualification Phase in Archery Competitions
Understand the purpose, format and mechanics of the qualifying phase — the foundation of any modern archery competition.
What is the Qualification Phase?
In archery competitions, the qualification phase (also called the ranking round) is the first round in which all competitors shoot a certain number of arrows at the same target under equal conditions. Each arrow is given a point value based on the target zone it hits, then the total points are collected to determine the ranking of each athlete.
Qualification is usually carried out in one or two sessions, depending on the event format and number of participants.
Round Format Used
Various round formats are used in qualifying, adapted to the level and event regulations:
| Format | Distance | Number of Arrows | Used By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720 Round | 50–70 m | 72 arrows (6 arrows × 12 ends) | Recurve, Standard Bow (outdoor) |
| 1440 Round | 90/70/50/30 m | 144 arrow | Recurve (full competition) |
| 25 m Indoor | 18 m / 25 m | 60 arrows (3 arrows × 20 ends) | All divisions (indoor) |
| Field Round | Varies | 24 or 48 targets | Field archery |
Each end consists of several arrows (generally 3 or 6) shot over a period of time, then the value is recorded before the next end begins.
Scoring & Tie-Break System
The value per arrow is determined by the target zone in question:
- 10 (Gold in) — The inner circle (X), worth 10 points, is counted separately as a tie-breaker.
- 9, 8, 7 … — Next zone in sequence out from the center.
- M (Miss) — The arrow did not hit the target or fell, value 0.
If two or more athletes have the same total points, the tie-break is determined sequentially by:
- Number of arrows X (10 in)
- Number of arrows 10+X
- Number of arrows 9+10+X, etc.
What Do Qualification Results Determine?
Qualification results produce a ranking list (seeding list) per category/division. This ranking determines:
- Who advances to the elimination round — Only the top number of participants (usually the top 8, 16, or 32) move on to the head-to-head elimination phase.
- Elimination bracket position — The #1 ranked qualifier will compete against the last ranked qualifier; this format is called bracket seeding.
- Qualifying awards — Some events award a separate title or medal to the winner of the qualifying round.
Why Is This Phase So Important For Every Athlete?
Many novice athletes consider qualifying as a mere formality — when in fact qualifying is the stage that most determines their travel path in competition. Here's why:
- Consistency tested — Qualification shoots multiple arrows over a long duration, demanding steady concentration and stamina from start to finish.
- There is no "second chance" — Unlike eliminations where fate can be reversed in one end, one missed arrow in qualifying cannot be repeated and immediately affects the total score.
- Mental pressure is different — Qualifying is "accumulative" pressure (must be consistent tens of arrows), while elimination is "per moment" pressure. The mental preparation for both is different.
- Seeding determines the course of the tournament — Athletes who are serious about qualifying statistically have a higher chance of going far in elimination due to favorable seeding.
Qualification on the archeris.net Platform
At archeris.net, the qualification phase is facilitated through the Qualification module owned by the subscription event committee. Available features:
- Creation of a qualifying session with free configuration (number of ends, arrows per end, distance).
- Auto-assign participants to pads randomly or manually.
- Input scores via mobile app or web dashboard by scorekeeper / athlete himself.
- Real-time leaderboard per category with automatic tie-break.
- Print the scoresheet per session in PDF format.
- Generate ranking automatically to be used as seeding in the elimination round.