How Far is the Target in Olympic Archery?

Have you ever seen Olympic archery competitions? Do you want to know how far is the target in Olympic archery?

In Olympic matches, the distance of the target from the archery depends on the type of bow used in the competition. For example, the distance between the target and the archery is 70 meters for recurve and 50 meters for compound.

Now you might be wondering why is it different and what is the significance of using different ranges. There are various factors that affect the range of the bow so the target must be set accordingly.

Don’t worry if you still have questions related to this topic then you have come to right place as I am going to tell you exactly how far is the target in Olympic archery along with some other related information.

Table of Contents

Types of Bows

Before we start learning about the range of the archery target from the shooter, we would like to talk a little about the type of bows that are available and are used in archery competitions currently.

1. Recurve Bow:

This is the most common type of bow that you will see people using. It gets its name from the fact that the limbs of the bow curve away from the archer when it is strung. The tips of the limbs are also angled which helps in providing more power and accuracy to the shots.

Recurve bows are used for both hunting and target practice. It is perfect for beginners as well as professionals.

2. Compound Bow:

The compound bow is a little different from the recurve bow as it uses a system of cables and pulleys to bend the limbs. This results in a shorter length of the bow when compared to the recurve bow. The shorter length makes it easier to aim and shoot with more accuracy as there is very less movement while drawing the bow.

3. Longbow:

The longbow is a traditional type of bow that was used in the medieval era. It gets its name because of its long length which can be anything between 1.8 meters to 2.1 meters. The longbow was primarily used for warfare and hunting purposes but now it is also used for target practice and competitions.

4. Crossbow:

The crossbow is similar to the longbow in terms of its appearance but it works quite differently. It is a mechanical tool that uses a horizontal bow mounted on a stock. Crossbows were used in ancient China and Greece for warfare purposes. Nowadays, they are used for target practice as well as hunting.

Our Hands-On Experience with the Best Budget Crossbow Will Amaze You.

5. Olympic Recurve:

The Olympic recurve is a type of recurve bow that is used in the Summer Olympics. It was first introduced in the 1972 Munich Olympics. The main difference between a regular recurve bow and an Olympic recurve bow is that the former does not have any restrictions on its size and weight.

Check out this as well I covered this already How to Build an Archery Target For a Compound Bow? Let’s Continue our topic Below.

Now that we know about the types of bows, let us take a look at the range of targets in Olympic archery.

How Far is the Target in Olympic Archery?

As we mentioned earlier, the range of the target in Olympic archery differs according to the type of bow used.

If you are using a recurve bow then the target will be 70 meters away from you while if you are using a compound bow then the target will be 50 meters away from you. This is mainly due to the difference between the bows used in the competition and also the type of arrows.

The recurve bow is considered to be more traditional while the compound bow is seen as a more modern option.

The range of the target also depends on the type of arrows that are used. If you are using Carbon arrows then the target will be further away as they are lighter and can travel further. If you are using aluminum arrows then the target will be closer as they are heavier and cannot travel as far.

The range of the target also depends on the wind conditions on the day of the competition. If there is a strong wind then the target will be further away so that the arrows do not get blown off course.

Archery Target Distance for Beginners

If you are just starting out in the sport of archery then you should not worry about the distances too much. You can start by practicing at a shorter range and then gradually increase the distance as you get more comfortable with your bow and arrow.

A good rule of thumb is to start at a range of 10 yards and then increase the distance by 5 yards every time you practice. You can also ask your coach for advice on how far you should be shooting.

Remember to take your time and focus on your form rather than worrying about the distance. Once you have mastered the basics then you can start increasing the range. However, you should also keep in mind the total draw weight of your bow before setting a range for your target.

This is because the draw weight of the bow will decide how powerful the shot is going to be and how far the arrow is going to land.

Indoor Archery Distance

The indoor situation is quite different from the outdoor one. It is because there is no air pressure that the archer and his arrow has to deal with. Under such conditions, you might be wondering what should be the distance for targets indoors.

Indoor archery competitions are shot at a range of 18 meters. This is the standard distance that is used for all indoor competitions.

However, if you are just practicing at home then you can set the target at a shorter distance like 10 or 15 yards. Remember to increase the distance gradually as you get more comfortable with your bow and arrow.

Last Minute Thoughts!

So How Far is the Target in Olympic Archery? Well, this depends on so many factors such as the type of bow used in the competition and also the type of arrows.

According to confirmed sources, the range for archery targets used in Olympic is usually between 70 and 50 meters depending on what kind of bow is used during the competition.

Did you find this article useful? Have you learned something interesting and new? If the answer to these questions is yes then please share it with your family and friends too. Sharing this article won’t cost you a dime but it will surely make your day.

Thank You So Much For Reading

Related Articles:-

How Far is the Target in Olympic Archery? – [Explained]