What does the 11-ring mean in IBO scoring?

The 11-ring is the small inner spot at the dead centre of the 10-ring. Hitting it scores 11 points instead of 10, rewarding centre-mass precision. The rules give it no size in inches, only approximately 25% of the size of the 10-ring, which keeps it small enough that it's a deliberate aim rather than a free upgrade on every 10.

Can I use a rangefinder at an IBO shoot?

No. IBO targets are set at unmarked distances, and the rules treat judging yardage without help as an integral part of the competition, so rangefinders and any other device that calculates yardage are prohibited. Hand-held binoculars are allowed, though not at the stake after your shot. Check the current IBO rules before your event.

IBO Archery

IBO (International Bowhunting Organization) is one of the major 3D archery organizations in the United States, running national and regional tournaments on bowhunting-themed 3D courses. IBO faces use simple concentric rings — an 11-ring inner spot at the centre of the 10-ring, surrounded by an 8-ring vital area and the body silhouette — making them less busy than ASA faces.

Details

IBO events are shot at unmarked distances from colour-coded stakes, and each class shoots from its assigned stake. The rulebook sets an approximate maximum for each colour: Neon Pink 20 yards, White 25, Orange 30, Yellow 35, Red 40, Green 45 and Blue 50. Judging yardage is part of the competition, so rangefinders and any other device that calculates distance are prohibited, and sight tapes must be covered so other archers cannot read your yardage.

Scoring is straightforward: 11 (centre dot, 11 points), 10 (the kill ring, 10), 8 (the vital ring, roughly the heart, lung and liver area, 8), body (anywhere on the silhouette, 5 points), and miss (off the silhouette, 0). An arrow touching the line of a higher-scoring ring takes the higher score. No calling mechanic, no asymmetric zones — the design is meant to mirror real bowhunting shot placement decisions. The IBO rulebook sets the 11-ring at approximately 25% of the size of the 10-ring, without saying whether size means diameter or area, and it gives no ring measurements; those come from the target makers.

For training, scaled IBO faces reproduce the same ring geometry at a calibrated print scale. The 11/10/8/body cascade also serves as the geometric base for our WA-3D and IFAA practice prints, which reuse the same physical face geometry but apply different scoring rule overlays.

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What does the 11-ring mean in IBO scoring?: The 11-ring is the small inner spot at the dead centre of the 10-ring. Hitting it scores 11 points instead of 10, rewarding centre-mass precision. The rules give it no size in inches, only approximately 25% of the size of the 10-ring, which keeps it small enough that it's a deliberate aim rather than a free upgrade on every 10.
Can I use a rangefinder at an IBO shoot?: No. IBO targets are set at unmarked distances, and the rules treat judging yardage without help as an integral part of the competition, so rangefinders and any other device that calculates yardage are prohibited. Hand-held binoculars are allowed, though not at the stake after your shot. Check the current IBO rules before your event.