What is a 720 round in archery?
A 720 round is an outdoor target archery event where you shoot 72 arrows at a single distance, with a possible top score of 720 points: 72 arrows times a maximum of 10 points each.
What it is
A 720 round is the standard outdoor target archery event used by World Archery and USA Archery. You shoot 72 arrows total, broken into 12 ends of 6 arrows each, all at the same distance and the same target face.
The name comes from the math: 72 arrows times a maximum 10 points per arrow equals a possible score of 720. It is the round used to rank archers before Olympic-style elimination matches.
How scoring works
The target face has 10 scoring rings. A hit in the center ring scores 10 points, and the score drops by one point for each ring further out, down to 1 point on the outer ring. An arrow that misses the target scores 0.
The innermost part of the 10-ring is marked with an X. An X still counts as 10 points, but tournaments use the X-count to break ties between archers with the same total score.
You get 4 minutes to shoot each end of 6 arrows, then everyone walks down together to score and pull arrows.
What you need
Recurve archers shoot from 70 meters at a target face 122 centimeters across. Compound archers shoot from 50 meters at a smaller target face, 80 centimeters across. Compound bows are more accurate at that range, so the closer distance and smaller face keep the round competitive.
Bring your own bow, arrows, and a way to carry them (a quiver). Most clubs and tournaments will have loaner equipment for first-timers who want to try it before buying anything.
Who can enter
Most 720 rounds are open to any age and any skill level, and tournaments usually sort archers into divisions by age, bow type, and experience so you are competing against archers at a similar level.
Check the specific tournament listing for age classes and any qualifying score requirements. Those vary by event, not by the round itself.
First-timer tips
- Ask your club or the tournament host if loaner gear is available before you buy anything.
- Practice at your event distance beforehand if you can. 70 meters looks a lot farther than it sounds.
- Bring more arrows than you think you need. Arrows do get lost or damaged during a full 72-arrow round.
- Learn the whistle or horn signals ahead of time. They tell you when to shoot, when to stop, and when it is safe to walk downrange.
Common questions
What is a 720 round in archery?
A 720 round is an outdoor target archery event of 72 arrows shot at one distance, with a maximum possible score of 720 points.
How many arrows do you shoot in a 720 round?
You shoot 72 arrows total, in 12 ends of 6 arrows each.
What distance do compound bows shoot in a 720 round?
Compound archers shoot from 50 meters at an 80-centimeter target face. Recurve archers shoot from 70 meters at a 122-centimeter face.
What is the maximum score in a 720 round?
The maximum possible score is 720 points: 72 arrows at a maximum of 10 points each.
How long does a 720 round take?
You get 4 minutes to shoot each 6-arrow end. A full 720 round, including scoring and walking to and from the target, typically takes a few hours depending on how many archers are shooting.
What is an X in a 720 round?
An X marks the very center of the 10-ring. It still scores 10 points, but tournaments count X's to break ties between archers with the same total.
Read the official rules
This page is a plain-English starting point, not the rulebook. For the exact, current rules, go to the source: