This is an introduction to archery, where we provide an overview of equipment, competition rules, and clubs in Denmark.
There are several different types of bows, but the two most commonly used in archery are Recurve and Compound.
A recurve bow is very similar to old-fashioned bows but differs in that the ends, where the bowstring is mounted, are curved forward, as seen in the image below.
The forward-facing ends on the recurve bow give more speed to the arrow and allow a recurve bow to be made shorter than a traditional bow.
In 2021, the recurve bow is still the only bow type used at the Olympic Games, where it is also permitted to attach a sight, stabilizers, and plunger.
The advantages of a recurve bow compared to the compound bow, which is described below, are primarily size and price. A recurve bow can usually be disassembled, and you can get good bows from around 2000 DKK.
A compound bow differs from other bow types in that it uses cables and wheels to assist with the draw weight.
The advantage of the compound bow is that it is easier to use, as it does not require as much strength to pull the string back, which means it is easier to shoot accurately over longer distances.
The biggest disadvantages of a compound bow are size, weight, and price. The price for a compound bow starts at around 1000 DKK, but you should expect to pay 3000 DKK for a good bow that you can use over a longer period.
For competition use, four standard sizes are used: 122 cm, 80 cm, 60 cm, or 40 cm. The two largest targets are used outdoors, and the two smallest are used indoors.
The target is divided into 10 zones, which give from 1 to 10 points. Points are awarded based on where the arrow hits, and points are given if the arrow touches the zone. So if the arrow lands on the line between 7 and 8 points, 8 points are awarded.
Outdoors, 122 cm targets are used for most competitions. The 80 cm target is normally only used at distances of 30, 40, and 50 meters under normal FITA rules.
Below are the 3 most commonly used competition formats in target archery, where you shoot standing at a target. In Denmark, there are also good opportunities to compete in 3D archery, where you walk around a course and shoot at lifelike animals or other objects, but that is not included in this article.
The recurve format is often called Olympic recurve, as it is the format used at the Olympic Games, but it is also the format used at most recurve competitions.
At the Olympic Games, only recurve bows are used, and it is permitted to use a sight, stabilizer, and plunger.
Shooting is exclusively done at 70 meter ranges for both men and women.
In a compound round, shooting is done at 50 meter ranges, and 80 cm targets are used.
Apart from the placement and size of the target, the competition format for compound is the same as for recurve. Compound bows are not part of the Olympic Games, but it is expected that in future Olympic Games there will also be archery competitions with compound bows.
1440 is an old format, previously known as a FITA round. In this format, shooting is done from 4 different distances.
Men shoot from 30, 50, 70, and 90 meters respectively. At 30 and 50 meters, an 80 cm target is used, and at the other two distances, a 122 cm target is used.
Women shoot from 30, 50, 60, and 70 meters respectively. As with the men, an 80 cm target is used at the two shortest distances.
| Club | Outdoor | Indoor | 3D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thy Bueskyttelaug | X | X | X |
| Aalborg Bueskyttelaug | X | X | |
| Randers Bueskyttelaug | X | X | X |
| Viborg Bueskyttelaug | X | X | X |
| Holstebro Bueskytteforening | X | X |
| Club | Outdoor | Indoor | 3D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Favrskov Bueskytter | X | ||
| Aarhus Bueskyttelaug | X | X | X |
| Galten Skovby Archery | X | X | |
| Silkeborg IF's Bueskyttelaug | X | X | |
| Herning Bueskyttelaug | X | X | X |
| Stensballe I K's Archery Division (Horsens) | X | X | |
| Hinnum Hut (Grindsted) | X | ||
| Vejle Bueskyttelaug | X | X | |
| Trelde Næs Archery | X |
| Club | Outdoor | Indoor | 3D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palnatoke – Kolding Archery Club | X | X | |
| Vejen Bueskyttelaug | X | X | X |
| Varde Bueskyttelaug | X | X | X |
| Esbjerg Archery | X | X | X |
| Ribe Bueskyttelaug | X | X | |
| Christiansfeld IF Archers | X | X | |
| Haderslev Bueskyttelaug | X | X | X |
| Aabenraa Bueskyttelaug | X | ||
| Notmark Parish Youth Association | X | X | |
| Sønderborg Bueskyttelaug | X | X |
| Club | Outdoor | Indoor | 3D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middelfart Bueskyttelaug | X | X | |
| Odense Archery Club | X | X | |
| Lavia Odense Archers | X | X | X |
| Arcus | X | X | |
| Broby Archery Club | X | X | |
| Midtfyns Archery Club | X | X | |
| Ulbølle Archery Club | X | X | X |
| Club | Outdoor | Indoor | 3D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nykøbing F. Archery Guild | X | X |
| Club | Outdoor | Indoor | 3D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rønne Archery Guild | X | X |
