The London Archers Club Rules

1. These rules interpret or supplement the GNAS rules and are intended to help Club archers to shoot safely and without interfering with the shooting of other archers.

2. The GNAS rules of shooting will be followed. All archers are expected to have a working knowledge of the GNAS rules of shooting. They are published by GNAS and available in archery shops.

3. All archers are expected to assist in the laying out of the targets prior to shooting and stripping down the targets on completion of shooting.

4. All archers will shoot from a common shooting line, with the targets positioned at distances required. On the outdoor range, the longest distance should be on the park side of the range. Change of distance should be effected by moving the targets. All archers should assist with any change of distance.

5. The maximum number of archers shooting at any one target is six. Preferably no more than four should shoot at a single target. If a target is full, get out an extra target or shoot a different distance.

6. An archer should shoot no more than six arrows per end, unless they can comfortably shoot more without holding up other archers who are only shooting six arrows.

7. A split shooting line may operate if the Field Captain believes it safe to do so and there is sufficient distance between targets.

8. The most senior Committee member present, or in the absence of any Committee member, the most experienced club archer present, will be Field Captain.

9. Any directions from the Field Captain must be followed.

10. Any directions from the gardener, palace staff or police must be followed.

11. Arrows lost on the ground MUST be found to protect users of the ground from injury. Other archers should assist in looking for any lost arrows to minimise any disruption to shooting. A metal detector and rake is available for this purpose. Any arrow that cannot be found must be notified to a Committee member, and a note placed in the shed. Any archer failing to do this will be severely disciplined by the Club Committee.

12. When entering the field, do so by one of the gates. DO NOT climb over the fence. Any archer caught doing this will be severely disciplined by the Club Committee. If you cannot enter the field, wait for another archer with a key to arrive or ask someone shooting to let you in.

13. Please keep the shed in a clean and tidy state. Replace bosses and stands in the relevant place, 'nappies' in the red container provided and 'tie-downs' should be neatly tied up and placed on the hook provided.

14. Only Club equipment can be kept in the shed.

15. If a certain night is specified for a certain activity, e.g. field or clout shooting, then other Club members should respect this booking. Of course, if no-one wishes to take part in such a 'special' event, then target archery may proceed.

16. All juniors must be supervised by (a) a parent/guardian who is a GNAS member, (b) an adult GNAS member AND a parent/guardian, or (c) a child protection approved GNAS member.

17. Coaching may be organised by personal arrangement. However, please remember that coaches also shoot, so do not expect a coach to stop shooting for you. Special coaching events may be organised and will be publicised.

18. No coaching is to take place on the common shooting line if it interferes with normal shooting. Please remember that the dip end may be used.

19. Whenever representing the Club at a shoot, or helping to run a Club shoot, please try to wear GNAS regulation dress, i.e. Green, white and/or Club colours.

20. The score of any round shot at the Club or other location must be given to the Club Records Officer.

21. No arrows with broadheads or heavy field piles may be used on Club bosses.

22. No crossbows may be used at the Club.

23. Etiquette:
A good archer:

Does not talk in a loud voice while others are shooting
Does not talk to another competitor who obviously prefers to be silent
Does not make any exclamations on the shooting line which may disconcert a neighbour in the act of shooting
Does not walk off the shooting line while a neighbour is at full draw
Does not walk along the line and compare scores
Does not touch anyone else’s archery equipment without permission
Does not leave litter on the archery ground
Does not smoke near the shooting or waiting line
Does not disturb people with loud mobile phone ringtones or speaking on the phone on or around the shooting line.
Does not shoot distances beyond their capability, continually missing and holding up shooting.
When positioning his foot markers, takes into account other archers shooting on the same target, and allows sufficient space for them.


24. Etiquette when scoring (GNAS Rules appendix A)
A good archer:
Does not go behind the target to retrieve arrows before the scores have been taken
When calling scores, does so in groups of three, and in descending order. For example, 'X-10-9' pause '9-8-7'.
While calling scores, points to each arrow as it is called, without touching the arrow or target face (106/b)
Does not touch any arrow or the target face until all arrow values have been recorded and checked
When required to do so, takes their turn at scoring
Only withdraws the arrows of others if this has been agreed by them
At the end of the round thanks the Target Captain for the work done by them

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY CLUB MEMBER TO ABIDE BY THESE RULES AND MAINTAIN THE STANDARDS OF ETIQUETTE.

IF ANYONE BECOMES UPSET BY MEMBERS BREAKING THESE RULES, PLEASE POINT OUT THE RULES TO THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED. IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, REPORT THE OFFENDER TO A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE.

Club Committee
14th May 2013