Archery notes:Basic Rules

"If you are taking part in, or just watching the archery, you must follow the instructions of the Target Archery Marshal(s) running the shoot, concerning safety and the competition. If you won’t or can’t, then you can be asked to leave."

This rule is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• II.E "All archers and marshals should explicitly follow the commands of the Target Archery Marshal who is in charge of their range. Failure to follow the Target Archery Marshal’s instructions may result in removal from the range." and;
• IX.G "The Target Archery Marshal-in-Charge may remove archers exhibiting unsafe behavior from the range." and;
• XI.E "All archers shall follow the instructions of the Target Archery Marshal-in-Charge and of Target Archery Marshals assisting on the line."

This rule is also from Society Thrown Weapons Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• I.B.4 on following instructions of marshals
• III.B and D on range safety

"Make sure that you listen to and understand the rules of the competition before you start – e.g. any safety instructions, which target to shoot at, how many arrows to use, whether you can take your time, or if there is a time limit, what to do if you drop an arrow, etc. If you are not sure, ask."

This rule is in relation to the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016) rules:

• II.K. "As part of their duties, Target Archery Marshals are responsible for ensuring that all archers are familiar with and comply with the SCA and Kingdom target archery rules. This may be done either by verbal briefings or by requiring the archers to read the posted rules."
• VII.A.6 on lining up
• X.A-H on range commands
• XI.A-F on rules of the line
• XIIA-D on safety rules
• XVI.A-E on range courtesy

"You can’t participate if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or excessivly tired. If you aren't fit to drive, you aren't fit to shoot."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• X.II.D "No archer should shoot while under the influence of alcohol or drugs."

The legal test of impairment (breath/blood alcohol limits) for driving is a reasonable limit, so the guidelines for staying under that are acceptable.

"Don’t handle other people’s equipment without their permission, including retrieving their arrows."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• XVI.C and D

"Wait for instructions from the Target Archery Marshal before you approach the shooting line, otherwise stay at least three metres behind the shooting line."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• II.E on following instructions
• VIII.A.8 on range set up
• X.A on range commands
• XI.A on rules of the line

Also Society Thrown Weapons Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• III.C.2 on asking permission
• III.C.10 on standing or walking behind throwers

"You must wait until the Target Archery Marshal says you can shoot before you loose any arrows."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• II.E on following instructions
• X.D on range commands
• XI.E on following instructions

Also Society Thrown Weapons Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• III.C.5 on waiting until told to throw

"If you are using a crossbow with a stirrup, remove your foot from the stirrup before loading a bolt."

For those parts Lochac that allow the use of crossbows, this rule is just here for safety. Don't shoot yourself in the foot!

"Don’t point a crossbow in any direction other than the ground or the target while it’s loaded or you are loading a bolt. Don't point crossbows at people, even if it isn't loaded."

For those parts Lochac that allow the use of crossbows, this rule is here for safety - you don't have the same control over a loaded/half loaded crossbow as you do over a bow. People at a distance also can't tell if a crossbow is loaded or not.

"Don’t nock or loose an arrow or bolt while anyone is forward of the shooting line."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• X.B, C and D on checking that the range is clear
• X.H on safety problems
• XI.B,C and D on safety problems
• XII.B "No arrows or bolts should be nocked when anyone is in front of the shooting line", and C "No archer should discharge a bow when anyone is downrange."

"If you see a safety problem on the range, call "hold"."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• X.H on calling hold
• XI.C and D on calling hold

"If anyone calls “hold,” do not shoot! Lower your bow, carefully remove your arrows or bolt from your weapon, and wait for the Target Archery Marshal to tell you what to do."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• X.H on calling hold
• XI.B and E on calling hold and following instructions

Also Society Thrown Weapons Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• III.C.7 on holds

"When you have finished shooting, lower your bow, step back from the line, and wait for the Target Archery Marshal to tell you what to do."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• X.E-G on range commands
• XI.E and F on following instructions and what to do when finished shooting.

Also Society Thrown Weapons Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• III.B.6 on what to do when you have finished throwing

"You must not go forward of the shooting line while others are shooting or throwing, and you must wait until you are told to go and collect your arrows or weapons."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• VII.A.8 on staying behind the safety line
• X.E-G on following instructions and what to do when finished shooting
• XI.E on following instructions

"Put your bow down somewhere safe before going to collect your arrows."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• X.F and G on what to do when you have finished shooting
• XI.F on what to do when you have finished shooting

"Make sure you don’t poke anyone with the nock end of your arrow or bolt when removing it from the target or ground."

This is from the Society Target Archery Marshal's Handbook (October 2016):

• XII.A on danger of weapons
• XVI.B on not yanking arrows out