Rules of Archery Tag

Each team is to stay on their side of the safety zone. After a player's initial arrows are shot, he or she can find replacement arrows laying about the field. Players may enter the safety zone to retrieve arrows, but cannot shoot or be shot in the safety zone. Players cannot remain in the safety zone to avoid being tagged. If an arrow flies outside of the field boundary, a player may retrieve it, but must re-enter the field immediately after retrieving the arrow. Consider outside boundaries as safe zones; players cannot be "tagged" when recovering arrows outside of the Archery Tag ® field of play.

Although not recommended, head shots can count to tag a person out. A player is tagged out when the foam-tip of an arrow comes into contact with any part of their body, clothing or equipment (so yep, a bow shot counts as a hit!). A "tagged player" is eliminated from play and must leave the playing field and stand off to the side with his or her mask still in place. Eliminated players re-enter play in the order they were eliminated when someone from their team catches an arrow in flight, knocks out one of the target centres from the opposing team's 5-Spot Target, or if one minute has passed, whichever occurs first.

When the Referee blows the whistle or horn the game is ON! The winning team is determined by one of three ways: (1) whichever team knocks all the centers out of their opponents 5-Spot Target first; (2) have the least number of centers missing from their target after the allotted time frame (five to 10 minutes); or (3) eliminates all opponents on the other team. When one of the above has occurred, the Referee will blow the whistle or horn signifying the game is over and players should exit the field.

Archery Tag Safety

NEVER use a compound bow or crossbow

NEVER shoot at close or hard objects

NEVER shoot arrows without inspecting them first

NEVER shoot arrows if foam tip is NOT securely attached

NEVER play without wearing a protective facemask

NEVER use a bow with a draw weight over 12.5 kilograms

Is Archery Tag safe?

Archery Tag ® arrows are specially designed to absorb almost all the force on impact making it feel as if you are being hit by a dodge ball. The minimum firing range is 5 metres. Archery Tag arrows should be used only with a traditional-style bow (longbow or recurve) with a maximum of 12.5 kilograms draw weight or lighter, and will in no way be used in any other type of bow (compound bow, crossbow, etc.). Our staff training, equipment, and the rules governing the game ensure the lowest possible risk of injury to any participant.