Shooting with a Whistle System
Table of Contents
Listen Up!
Archers often shoot according to a whistle system because it is consistent and works well, even in loud conditions. This whistle system is official for tournaments sanctioned by the World Archery Federation (WA), but it is also very common during practice at many different kinds of archery ranges.
Whistle Blasts
At some tournaments this whistle system may be used with beeps or other auditory signals. There may also be a clock, a lighting system or a series of flags to let you know when to shoot. Because there may be differences for each type of competition, you should ask a judge to be sure what each signal means and how the timing will work.
ONE WHISTLE BLAST
Archers may place an arrow on the bowstring and begin shooting.
TWO WHISTLE BLASTS
Archers may proceed from the waiting line to the shooting line.
THREE WHISTLE BLASTS
Archers may walk forward to the targets and pull their arrows.
FOUR OR MORE WHISTLE BLASTS
Stop shooting immediately.
Color Codes
Generally, these are the colors you will see in competition and what they mean:
Green means you may shoot.
Yellow means that the end will be over in the next thirty seconds.
Red means you may not shoot.
