Para Archery

©Randi Smith 2011

“The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” Archery Basics

Para Classes (classification)

W1 - Wheelchair 1

W2 - Wheelchair 2

ST - Standing

VI - Visually Impaired

©Randi Smith 2011

Para Classes (shooting) W1 - Wheelchair 1 - restricted compound

W2 - Wheelchair 2 - FITA recurve

ST - Standing - FITA recurve

Open - Open Compound - FITA compound

VI - Visually Impaired

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W1 - Wheelchair 1 Uses a wheelchair for mobility

Also has an upper body impairment that affects the hands and/or arms

Could be spinal cord injury, amputation, stroke, etc.

Usually shoots a compound bow with special equipment rules, but could choose to shoot a recurve bow

©Randi Smith 2011

W1 Guidelines Men shoot 70, 60, 50, 30 meters

Other than the compound bow and mechanical release, equipment follows FITA recurve rules - no peeps, levels, magnification, etc

Maximum weight of 45 pounds for men

Women very seldom shoot as W1. W1 recurve women are combined with W2 women. W1 compound shooters shoot in the Open division.

Strapping and/or support are allowed

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W2 - Wheelchair 2 Uses a wheelchair for mobility

Good function in upper body

Uses a recurve bow

W1 women who shoot recurves are combined with W2 women

Strapping is allowed for some archers (injury at T5 or above)

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ST - Standing

Shoots from a standing or sitting position, but feet are on the ground

Some use a stool or chair, but back support is not allowed

Uses a recurve bow

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Open - Open Compound

Classified as W1, W2, or ST

Uses a compound bow following FITA rules ©Randi Smith 2011

VI - Visually Impaired Must meet USABA standards for visually impaired athletes

All athletes must shoot with blackout glasses

Archers have a coach who can spot for them

Shoot at 30 meters, changing target sizes

Most use a tactile sight mounted on a tripod

©Randi Smith 2011

• ©Randi Smith 2011

Recurve Bow

Basically a handle, two limbs, and one string

Can be one-piece or a take down

Draw gets heavier as the bow is pulled farther

Good start out bow; physically light and light draw weights

Compound Bow A handle, two limbs, using wheels and a pulley system

Bow has “let-off” making it easier to hold at full draw

Bows are usually physically heavy

Universal Draw (Genesis) Not a recurve or compound

It has wheels but no letoff

Stays the same no matter how far back it is pulled

Physically, heavier than a recurve; but lighter than a compound

Adaptive Equipment

Most archers will not need special adaptive equipment. Commercially available archery equipment can usually be used and adapted if necessary.

Because it is not often needed, there is very little adaptive equipment commercially available for archery.

Most common adaptations are stools or chairs and release aids.

Release Aids

Matt uses a commercially available release attached to a strap. He releases the arrow with his

chin.

Eric’s release is attached to a shoulder harness that he built. He releases using a clothespin.

Mouthtabs

Jeff uses a mouth tab. He builds it himself from cat leash.

Using a Mouthtab

Make sure the mouthtab is between the back teeth

Shooting with a mouthtab uses a lot of neck muscles. Be aware that a stiff neck could be a side effect from shooting.

Start with a very low weight and low numbers. Increase at a rate the archer can tolerate.

Once the archer is “hooked,” experiment with different mouth tab materials, lengths, and thicknesses to see what works best

USA Archery Age Groups (based on age as of January 1)

Bowman - under 12

Cub - under 14

Cadet - under 17

Junior - under 20

Senior - adults

Master - over 50

Sr. Master - over 60

Some local and regional tournaments offer both older and younger divisions

There is also a collegiate archery program with its own divisions and rules

Wheelchair Sports USA Age Groups

Novice Cadet 7-12 yr old

15 meters 10 meters

36 arrows 36 arrows

122 cm target 80 cm target

Cadet 7-12 yr old

20 meters 15 meters

36 arrows 36 arrows

122 cm target 80 cm target

Junior Metric 13-15 yr old

30 meters 20 meters

36 arrows 36 arrows

122 cm target 80 cm target

Intermediate 16-18 yr old

40 meters 30 meters

36 arrows 36 arrows

122 cm target 80 cm target

Advanced Intermediate 19-21 yr old

40 meters 30 meters

36 arrows 36 arrows

122 cm target 80 cm target

USA Archery Jr. Olympic (JOAD) Distances

Bowman under 12

30 meters 25 meters 25 meters 20 meters

122 cm target 122 cm target 80 cm target 80 cm target

36 arrows at each distance

Cubs under 14

50 meters 40 meters 30 meters 20 meters

122 cm target 122 cm target 80 cm target 80 cm target

36 arrows at each distance

Cadets under 16

70/60 meters 60/50 meters 50/40 meters

30 meters

122 cm target 122 cm target 80 cm target 80 cm target

36 arrows at each distance

Juniors

90/70 meters 70/60 meters

50 meters 30 meters

122 cm target 122 cm target 80 cm target 80 cm target

36 arrows at each distance

Ages and Distances Paralympics - 70 meters

FITA round (internationally)

Jr. and Sr. Men - 90,70, 50, 30 meters

Jr. and Sr. Women - 70, 60, 50, 30 meters

Cadet Men - 70, 60, 50, 30 meters

Cadet Women - 60, 50, 40, 30 meters

©Randi Smith 2011

Tournament Planning Archers in wheelchairs or using stools stay on the line

FITA rules state wheelchairs are no longer than 1.25 meters and when archers in wheelchairs are shooting the normal area of 80 cm per archer will need to be extended

If three per target, just make the lanes bigger. If four per target, assign three per target. The archer in the wheelchair will be on one side, the other two will alternate on the other side.

As a general rule, it is better to mix the para archers in with the other archers instead of putting them all together

©Randi Smith 2011

Rules

4 minutes for 6 arrow ends (two longest distances; sometimes the third distance)

2 minutes for 3 arrow ends (sometimes the third distance, always the fourth distance)

Rules state 3 per target; no more than 4. At most USA tournaments, there are 4 per target, but targets with archers who don’t come off of the line will have only three. At events with only para archers, there are usually two archers per target.

Whistles: 2 blasts to get bows and get ready; 1 blast to shoot; 3 blasts to get ready; 4 or more is an emergency - stop shooting and unload.

Scoring Most common is the 10 ring target. Outdoors the innermost yellow circle (the “x”) is used for breaking ties. It, and the ring outside of it are 10 points. The value of the rings decreases out to 1 point.

If the arrow touches the line, it scores the higher value.

In some tournaments, you will see individual targets at closer distances. The scoring areas are the same size as on the larger target, but allow for easier scoring and less arrow damage.

Scorecards

Misses are marked with an “m”

Totals should be added after each end

There are built in double checks

Para-Archery in the USA Internationally, para-archery is now governed by World Archery (FITA). In the USA, it is governed by USA Archery.

Para-archers are welcome at all tournaments; all US Archery Team qualifying events and national tournaments are accessible.

Many JOAD clubs have para-archers. Para-archers can earn Star Pins and compete in tournaments along with the other archers.

Starting Out

Shoot with local clubs

Don’t worry about strapping and equipment rules

Start at close distances

Get experience with leagues and small tournaments; then move to state and regional tournaments

When ready, try larger tournaments and longer distances

Para USAT The Para US Archery Team is made up of para-archers who have shot qualifying scores at designated tournaments

Scores must be shot at Star FITAs - all USAT events, national outdoor championships, and many other events. Star FITA status indicates sanctioning and minimum standards

There are 3 levels - elite, national, and emerging/military. Elite archers receive stipends; all levels receive training camps and competitions.

Para-Archery High Performance Standards

2011-2012 Elite National Emerging/Military

W1 Men 1272/618 1242/602 1196/574

W2 Men 1220/610 1190/595 1150/575

ST Men 1214/607 1200/600 1180/590

Open Men 1360/680 1352/676 1320/660

W2 Women 1196/574 1155/550 1109/522

ST Women 1196/574 1140/540 1092/512

Open Women 1321/648 1300/634 1280/622

Notes on High Performance Standards

The first number in each column is a FITA score; the second number is a 70 meter round score. The scores must be shot at a Star FITA event. A calendar is at USArchery.org

Results must be published OR scorecards can be sent to the Para-Archery Coach at USA Archery

Following are the descriptions of the events

70 Meter Round: 72 arrows at 70 meters

FITA: 36 arrows at each of four distances

W2 Men, ST Men, Open men - 90, 70, 50, 30 meters

W1 Men, All Women - 70, 60, 50, 30 meters

References

FITA (www.archery.org) has a para-archery page

FITA rules - Book 1, Appendix 8

www.para-archery.org

www.usarchery.org

www.AmericanDisabledArchers.com

Randi Smith, USA Para-Archery Head Coach – rsmith@usarchery.org; 801-259-9225

©Randi Smith 2011