Outdoor classifications

 

The Archery GB Classification scheme allows archers of all levels to understand their skill level and progress through various awards available; from the initial Archer 3rd Class classification, right through to Elite Master Bowman.

 

There are nine different classification levels available to all archers, which are grouped into three sets of three.

 

An archer starts off with the Archer tier, with 3rd Class, 2nd Class and 1st Class awards. These awards can be gained at club level simply shooting a few rounds totalling the appropriate number of arrows. 

 

They then move up to the Bowman tier, again with 3rd Class, 2nd Class and 1st Class.  These rounds must be shot in a more formal setting (such as a competition or a club target day) and following the Rules of Shooting more strictly.  If at a club target day, this means everyone begins the shoot at a specified time and day published in advance.

 

Finally there is the Master Bowman tier, where the naming gets a little more fun with Master Bowman (MB), Grand Master Bowman (GMB) and Elite Master Bowman (EMB).  These awards can only be gained by shooting at Record Status events and will involve rounds of at least 72 arrows, or 144 arrows.

 

These levels cover the full range of experience for the vast majority of archers, with Archer 3rd Class achievable by many new archers within their first year or two in the sport, whereas Elite Master Bowman will be a challenge for even the very best in the country to maintain.

 

The links below give every archer the information they need to work towards gaining a classification award, with relevant tables for every age group, bow style and gender.  These tables can be printed off and include information on recommended rounds, minimum scores needed to achieve the award and the handicap for that score:

 

Barebow (this includes traditional bows, but with some additional considerations as set out in Rules of Shooting 205):

https://archerygb.org/files/outdoor-classifications-amp-handicaps-barebow-190123111828.pdf

 

Compound: 

https://archerygb.org/files/outdoor-classifications-amp-handicaps-compound-190123111916.pdf

 

Longbow (this includes flatbows bows, but with some additional considerations as set out in Rules of Shooting 206A):

https://archerygb.org/files/outdoor-classifications-amp-handicaps-longbow-190123111853.pdf

 

Recurve: 

https://archerygb.org/files/outdoor-classifications-amp-handicaps-recurve-190123111801.pdf

​

Indoor Classifications

​

There are eight different classification levels available to all archers, which are grouped into three sets.  An archer starts off at the Archer tier, with 3rd Class, 2nd Class and 1st Class awards. They then move up to the Bowman tier, again with 3rd Class, 2nd Class and 1st Class awards, and then finally the Master Bowman tier, where the naming gets a little more fun with Indoor Master Bowman (MB) and Indoor Grand Master Bowman (GMB).

​

These levels cover the full range of experience for the vast majority of archers, Archer 3rd Class is achievable by many new archers within their first year or two in the sport, whereas Indoor Grand Master Bowman requires consistently high performance.  

​

The Bowman tier is designed for archers regularly taking part in competitive events, from club level right up to national level. Achieving the award is much the same as for the Archer tier, except for two key differences: firstly you require more arrows - a total of 180 (or 15 dozen), which would typically be three 5-dozen rounds indoors, and secondly, Archers should be shooting these scores at competitions, club target days, postal matches, or any other event in line with rule 304 of AGBs Rules of Shooting - see further down the page below. 

 

The link below give every archer the information they need to work towards gaining a classification award, with relevant tables for every age group, bow style and gender.  These tables can be printed off and include information on recommended rounds, minimum scores needed to achieve the award and the handicap for that score: https://archerygb.org/files/indoor-classification-tables-120923153544.pdf

 

As with outdoor classifications, three qualifying scores are required before an indoor classification can be obtained.  

​

Maintaining your classification

​

Whatever you finish the year on, that is your classification going into the following year. However, you have to shoot to the same level again to maintain that classification in the next year. The examples below illustrate how this works.

​

Example 1:

2024 an archer begins the year at Archer 2nd Class level having shot three Archer 2nd class scores in 2023. During the outdoor season they shoot three scores which take them up to Archer 1st Class. They end the season as an Archer 1st Class and will begin 2025 as an Archer 1st Class.

​

Example 2:

2024 an archer begins the year at Archer 2nd Class level having shot three Archer 2nd Class scores in 2023. During the outdoor season they do not shoot enough Archer 2nd Class scores, only Archer 3rd Class scores. They end the season as an Archer 3rd Class archer and will begin 2025 as an Archer 3rd Class.

​

Example 3:

2024 an archer begins the year at Archer 2nd Class level having shot three Archer 2nd Class scores in 2023. During the outdoors season they do not shoot enough to achieve any classifications. They end the season as an unclassified archer and will begin 2025 as unclassified.

​

Rules of Shooting and Shooting Administrative Procedures

 

https://archerygb.org/files/rules-of-shooting-240123160956.pdf

 

https://archerygb.org/files/shooting-administrative-procedures-240123161155.pdf

 

If you have any questions, please do speak to your records officer or ping us an email on cymric.records@outlook.com