Is arrow calling the same as calling the 12 in ASA?

No. Arrow calling happens after the shot, when values are read out for the scorecard. In ASA a shooter may also announce before the shot that they are going for the upper 12-ring. Once it is called, the lower 12 scores only 10 for that shooter on that target, and the choice cannot change after coming to full draw.

What happens if the group disagrees on a call?

It goes to whoever the rulebook names. Under World Archery rules the assigned judge decides. In NFAA rounds the target captain decides unless a line judge has been appointed and appealed to. At the Vegas Shoot a judge decides, and in ASA another member of the group breaks the tie, or in a group of three the shooter gets the higher score. Check the rulebook for your event.

Why are arrows called in descending order?

World Archery rules have scorers enter each arrow's value in descending order as the archer calls it, so the highest arrow comes first. The rule sets the order without giving a reason, but it does mean every end is laid out the same way on the card.

Arrow Calling

Arrow calling is reading out the value of each arrow at the target so the scorers can record it before anything is pulled. Who calls depends on the rulebook: under World Archery rules each archer calls their own arrows, highest first, NFAA and Vegas Shoot groups choose a caller, and ASA scorers call each arrow for the group.

Details

Under World Archery target rules, scoring takes place after each end. The archer whose arrows they are, or their agent, calls each value in descending order, the scorer writes it down, and the other archers on the target check every call. If they disagree, they call the assigned judge, who makes the final decision. In simultaneous match play the opponent does the checking. Nobody touches the arrows, the face or the butt until every arrow on that butt has been recorded.

NFAA rules share the job out inside the target group. The group, generally four archers, selects a score caller, two scorekeepers and a target captain, and the captain judges disputed arrows unless a line judge has been appointed and an archer appeals to them. At the Vegas Shoot archers name a caller, a scorer and a target captain for each bale, and a judge decides any arrow the group cannot settle.

On ASA and IBO 3D ranges the scoring sits with the group's scorers rather than the archer. ASA has two designated scorers agree on each arrow and call out the result for the scorekeepers; if the scorers cannot agree, another member of the group, never the shooter, breaks the tie, and in a group of only three shooters the shooter gets the higher of the two scores. IBO has two scorekeepers agree on the score and record it before any arrow is pulled, and if their cards still differ and the group cannot settle it by majority, the shooter gets the higher of the two scores.

Good calling is mostly habit. Call close arrows as you see them and let the group or the judge decide, rather than claiming the higher value. Read the line against the shaft, not the fletching: World Archery scores an arrow by the position of its shaft, and IBO says vanes, feathers and nock collars cannot be used to score an arrow. Calling every arrow aloud in practice, end after end, makes the routine automatic before your first tournament.

Related on BowSmith

Glossary

Printables

Indoor 18m Score Sheet

Common questions

Is arrow calling the same as calling the 12 in ASA?: No. Arrow calling happens after the shot, when values are read out for the scorecard. In ASA a shooter may also announce before the shot that they are going for the upper 12-ring. Once it is called, the lower 12 scores only 10 for that shooter on that target, and the choice cannot change after coming to full draw.
What happens if the group disagrees on a call?: It goes to whoever the rulebook names. Under World Archery rules the assigned judge decides. In NFAA rounds the target captain decides unless a line judge has been appointed and appealed to. At the Vegas Shoot a judge decides, and in ASA another member of the group breaks the tie, or in a group of three the shooter gets the higher score. Check the rulebook for your event.
Why are arrows called in descending order?: World Archery rules have scorers enter each arrow's value in descending order as the archer calls it, so the highest arrow comes first. The rule sets the order without giving a reason, but it does mean every end is laid out the same way on the card.