Head-to-Head

Details

A head-to-head event starts with a qualification round, usually 72 arrows outdoors or 60 indoors. The ranking from that round seeds the archers into a bracket, and from there every match knocks one archer out until only the gold and bronze medal matches are left. Under World Archery rules, elimination matches are shot side by side at the same time, and finals are shot alternately, with individual archers taking turns arrow by arrow.

Recurve and barebow matches use the set system. Each set is an end of three arrows. The archer with the higher end score wins the set and takes two set points; a tied set gives each archer one. The first archer to six set points wins, so a match lasts at most five sets. If it finishes five all, a single-arrow shoot-off decides it, and if the scores are level again, the arrow closest to the centre wins.

Compound matches are scored on the total of five ends of three arrows, so 150 is a perfect match, with the same single-arrow shoot-off for a tie. Outdoors, in the men's, women's and U21 classes, compound archers shoot at 50 metres on an 80 cm face, the six-ring version at international events, while recurve archers shoot at 70 metres and barebow archers at 50 metres on the 122 cm face. Some age classes shoot shorter distances.

The set system changes how a match feels. A bad arrow costs only the set it is in, so a single wide shot can be recovered in the next end. On total-score matches, every point counts to the end.

Finals are tighter on time. World Archery allows 20 seconds per arrow when archers alternate, against 30 or 40 seconds per arrow, depending on the event, when they shoot at the same time, as in qualification and elimination matches. Shooting practice matches in three-arrow ends against a partner, or against the clock, is the best way to get used to it. Check the rulebook for your event.