3/24/2010
There is confusion in the ranks about what events are going to use for competition during the 2010 outdoor season.
The good ol' FITA round of 36 arrows shot at 4 distances is not considered the "world standard" so much anymore - a lot of events have all the archers shoot 72 arrows at one distance as a form of qualifying/ranking everyone by order of score, then shooting an "olympic round" (OR) of head-to-head elimination matches to arrive at the top three archers in each division. The drama of head-to-head competition is undeniably a desire of the FITA to try and improve the attractiveness of archery to the general public (and TV). If we in the US do not follow this, we will fail to properly prepare our archers for international competition.
In the case of the OR Qualifier, most shoot a "single" OR of 72 arrows (two rounds of 36 arrows) at 70 meters (60 meters for some Cadets and Masters), though some events will shoot a "double OR" of TWO of the 72-arrow rounds (four rounds of 36 arrows). Archers get a brief rest break between each 32 arrows.
In every case of using an OR, there will always be an elimination competition of head-to-head shooting after the OR qualifier. This is what most of the rest of the world is doing, as well. Most archers find it is very challenging, and ultimately a good thing. The OR is also called the FOR (FITA Olympic Round).
So here is what I can figure out for 2010:
Lone Star FITA at University of Texas: FITA (four distances)
Arizona Cup: OR (70 meters/60 meters depending on age)
Texas Shootout: OR (70 meters/60 meters depending on age)
Gold Cup: OR ( 70 meters/60 meters depending on age)
Texas State Championship: at this point it is undecided
Texas State JOAD Championship: an "age proportionate" OR Qualifier, in order to pepare our kids for the National JOAD Championship, which will also follow the OR Qualifier format.
JOAD National Target Championship - June 24-27, 2010 - Des Moines, Iowa : Archers will compete using the 144 arrow qualification round; Team Round; Open Mixed Team Round; and Olympic Round (OR) Matches using the FITA Set System; Youth Olympic Games Trials - (All at one distance)
NOTE: for the Nats - Masters men and women will not be allowed to shoot in the OR elimination rounds. If any wish to do so, they must compete during the 4-distance FITA qualifier as "seniors", to be on a level playing field due to the different distances the masters shoot during the FITA. (which are the same distances that the Cadets shoot,
HEAD TO HEAD: A "set" system is used. Archers will shoot ends of 6 arrows, a total of 3 ends, making it 18 arrows, for the 1/64, 1/32, 1/16, and 1/8 rounds.
For the rest of the matches the archers will shoot ends of 3 arrows, a total of 5 ends, making a total of 15 arrows in the match, till the final arrow determines the gold medal winner.
For the 6-arrow sets, after a minimum of two (2) sets, the athlete with the highest points is declared the winner of the match, when his opponent can no longer tie with the remaining points. If the tie persists after the third (3rd) set, a single arrow shoot off will be shot and the athlete with the arrow closest to the centre will win. No longer will an archer who has mathematically lost be made to stand up and shoot futile arrows.
For the 3-arrow sets, after a minimum of three (3) sets, the athlete with the highest points is declared the winner of the match when his opponent can no longer tie with the remaining points If the points are tied after four (4) sets a fifth (5th) set will be shot. If the tie persists after the fifth (5th) set, a single arrow shoot off will be shot and the athlete with the arrow closest to the centre will win.
Denise Parker explains it all in her blog, found here on the USA Archery website.
PS - there will be a lot more changes in 2011.....
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