Madi Rhinevault, May – Tournaments are a funny thing. They can be the most nerve-racking, anxiety-ridden experience of an archer’s life. They can be a calm release and rhythmic outlet of tranquility. They can be an exhilarating and fun-filled time competing in the sport you love. Regardless of how you view tournaments, there is almost always some type of confusion or silly issue on the line. In my experience, with the excitement and nervousness of tournament days, archers tend to forget as they succumb to the thrill and anticipation of the event. They are particularly forgetful while on the shooting line. Or rather, the shooting lane.
Eight years as an active NASP® participant gives one a lot of time to shoot in tournaments and I have shot in many. Throughout my time shooting, lane issues have become a recurring topic of discussion and even a source of problems.
The first time I had an issue with lane assignment was at the 2018 World Tournament when my partner who was a lefty, continuously knocked their bow into mine while knocking their arrow. This resulted in several poor shots on my end since my bow hand was being moved off my aim spot before release. Lane troubles have been a pressing subject in conversations with my teammates as well. One of my friends shot with an elementary boy who was crowding the line. He crowded over it in fact, so far that he had himself and my friend squished into her lane space. Another time, one of our newbie elementary archers was competing in her first tournament when her partner began repeatedly leaning her bow into the arm of our archer while she was at full draw. Imagine, pulling back the string and getting on your spot only to have your partner use your arm to support their bow while you’re trying to aim. Even worse, she didn’t know that the other kid was out of line and only approached the coaches about it afterward, asking why her partner shot so differently. Eventually, each lane issue was dealt with whether a coach or liner was called, and the problem was resolved. Ironically, some kids don’t recognize these situations as problems.
Maybe you’re the kid that gets anxious on tourney day and accidentally forgets to keep their bow in their lane. Maybe you’ve dealt with kids stepping into your lane. Maybe you’re the kid that doesn’t know where your lane ends and your partner’s lane starts. What even is a lane? How do you know where yours is? How do you keep others out of yours? If this sounds like a question you want answered, keep reading!
The official NASP rule book has guidelines for all tournament procedures including assigned lanes. Under section 4 Competitive format, rule 4.3 Arrow Handling and Movement About the Range lists off the rules regarding lanes. Rule 4.3.4 states “Shooter and quiver must remain in each archer’s half of the assigned lane when on the shooting line. No part of the archers’ body or the quiver may cover, or be past, their lane marks”. The “marks” referred to is dashes placed periodically every 2.5 ft on the line tape. Between dashes, the tournament organizers often mark the target number and whether it is lane A (left) or B (right). For instance, if you are assigned to target 10 right, then you will look on the line tape for 10B or 10R. On either side of the marking, there will be vertical black dashes. Your lane is the space between the dashes. The tournament coordinators lay the line tape so that a dash aligns with the center of the target in order to place each archer an equal distance from center.
So, now you know what a lane is. But what about staying in it is so important? Crowding over your assigned lane can result in the disruption of other archers such as the aforementioned knocking of bows and arrows which could result in bad scores and even an accidental injury. That is why NASP® has enacted rule 4.3.4.1 which states, “Crowding across the middle of the lane, or into an adjacent lane, is unsportsmanlike conduct.” and 4.3.4.2, “Crowding is defined as any part of the archer’s body or equipment extending past the 30-inch area assigned to the archer.” In this way, NASP® protects its archers by requiring that they stay within their assigned area in order to give all archers an equal chance and maintain a safe shooting environment.
Now you know rule 4.3.4 and its importance during tournaments. Basically, keep your body and your equipment within your lane at all times. If someone else doesn’t follow this rule, immediately consult with a lane official or coach and resolve the problem. Archery is meant to be fun. The invasion of personal space is fun for no one, so if you wouldn’t want others doing it to you, then be mindful and stay in your lane. NASP® has set guideline to ensure our safety and equality among competitors by eliminating all room for error through rules such as 4.3.4. Follow the rules, eliminate issues, and shoot in a stress-free environment while having fun competing in the sport you love. Remember to follow this rule at your next competition and happy shooting while you do!