10 Archery Target Games To Help Improve Your Accuracy
We may earn a commission if you click on a link, but at no extra cost to you. Read our disclosure policy for information.
Archery or bow hunting is the art, sport, skill, and practice of using a bow to shoot arrows.
Derived from the Latin word arcus, the bow or arch has been used for hunting and combat.
Archery is not an easy sport to get into as the archer needs to focus his attention, control his movements, and aim with precision during the game.
It requires a person with a determined mindset and a commitment to practice repetitively, which means investing plenty of time into the sport.
If your goal is to become more accurate in your shot, you have to work on the technical side of archery through practice games.
Have you checked if your grip is relaxed that will allow you to cradle the bow so it can jump forward into the bow sling when you take the shot?
Is your stance stable with your feet shoulder-wide apart for even weight distribution?
Are you using your back tension to remain steady with constant tension when you make a full draw opposing the force of the bow?
Table of Contents
10 Archery Target Games To Help Improve Your Accuracy
The only way you can sharpen these skills is if you practice the archery games that will not only enhance your sense of focus but will also make you go through the technical aspects of archery.
Now let’s get into the 10 archery target games to help you improve your accuracy.
1. Gap Shooting
Gap shooting is popular and widely used by traditional archers and the first aiming method taught to new students who want to get into archery.
The goal is for you to place the arrow’s point nearest to the center of the target, whether it is above, beneath, or in the center of the target when you release the arrow.
The gap from the arrow trajectory reaching the target gets smaller and smaller until you reach your target distance.
You’ll have to stack your gap on top of the center.
The goal is to have so your arrow drop into the nearest point of the target.
Archer’s Skills Needed for this Game
You’ll need to be keen on your anchor point, using as many reference points as possible for a better shot.
Some will make the string touch the corner of their mouth or the nose’s tip to get a proper point.
You’ll use your skill of aiming, but in this case, you’ll have to do it without the help of an eyepiece.
You’ll have to work on aiming off where you consider the direction of the wind and how it will affect the arrow’s movement.
Benefits for the Archer
Gap shooting will enhance your distance skill and rely on eyeball because a sighting aid such as a telescope or rangefinder is not permitted.
This game teaches you how to manipulate the distance gaps in the arrow trajectory.
You do this by changing your arrow’s length, weight, and fletch size, so it takes its flight according to your estimated distance.
You’ll need to calculate how to stick the gap on top of the center to get your arrow to the target’s nearest point.
2. Ground Marker
Similar to the gap shooting, the ground marker uses an object that you position at the start of the round to use as a reference point.
But you cannot move your ground marker in the middle of your game until it’s safe to gather the arrows to make any adjustments.
The marker or object with a maximum measurement of 6×3 inches should be carefully placed near the target; otherwise, you end up using plenty of arrows on an off-mark.
The ground marker makes it easier for you to aim the arrow’s point on the mark of the range.
Archer’s Skills Needed for this Game
You’ll need to use the under the chin anchor point to make sure the gap will be a good distance underneath the target.
Your aiming skill will be put to the test as you need to hold your sight without movement.
It’ll test your timing in releasing the shot once your pin is in the center, where you should be rock solid in taking the aim.
Another is the execution side of the release, where you can avoid any jerking or flinching movement.
Benefits for the Archer
This is useful for archers who panic because they lack the confidence to aim at the target.
By having a visible mark, the archer can go through the routine of a wide, stable stance with the core engaged.
Once you have this set, your body is open and able to face the target at your comfortable angle.
You build your confidence this way because you have more chances to get it right than doing it on a limited number of trial shots.
3. ‘O’ Ring
This is the most popular method for English longbow target style archery.
The ‘O’ ring is adding a mark such as a rubber band, a loom band, or an O ring placed at the bow’s upper part.
Imagine closing your eyes and peeking through a small ring so you can aim properly.
The ‘O’ ring acts like an eyepiece to sharpen your focus on the target aim.
Skills Needed for this Game
This is the most popular method for English longbow target style archery.
The ‘O’ ring is adding a mark such as a rubber band, a loom band, or an O ring placed at the bow’s upper part.
Imagine closing your eyes and peeking through a small ring so you can aim properly.
The ‘O’ ring acts like an eyepiece to sharpen your focus on the target aim.
Benefits for the Archer
Practicing the ‘O’ ring allows you to find a comfortable spot that makes it easier to center the target.
You can use a ruler to measure then mark the exact spot in your bow that gives you a better shot on your target.
You do this by noting the distance from the top of the handle or arrow pass to the band.
Another way is to mark the back of the bow, but you can only have one, not multiple deliberate marks.
4. Archery Tag
If you think archery can’t be fun, this game will make you think twice as it’ll force you to aim while moving.
Archery Tag is also known as Combat Archery, something like paintball and dodgeball using spongey arrows.
Two teams on the opposite side of the field will try to hit each other with spongy arrows, complete with a face mask.
You play this game with obstacles as shields and in knee-deep water to make the course interesting and exciting.
Skills Needed for this Game
You’ll need to practice your timing routines, meaning you cut the 40-second assigned qualification time to 20-seconds as if it were match play.
The aiming off will sharpen your tolerance for windy conditions by making you adjust your aim to compensate for strong winds or shooting at a different angle.
Because you are exposed to different weather conditions, the wind factor will force you to point the sight pin at a visible point even if it’s not exactly in the middle.
You must then know your bow’s timing, so you have this information to use when you aim in different kinds of weather.
Benefits of the Archer
This outdoor type of game allows the archer to enjoy the sport in the closest actual bowhunting environment.
You’ll find it easier to adapt to outdoor hunting when you engage in this game as it simulates the usual physical aspects of the game.
You’re forced to be familiar with your gear to make a calculated decision during wind blasts.
Your accuracy is sharpened in an outdoor setting since you have to deal with different terrains and weather conditions.
6. H.O.R.S.E.
The Horse game is similar to the one played in basketball when you take turns making the same shot from the same position.
With 2-3 players aiming for the target, if one misses the target, the person earns the letter H and spells it down to complete the word H.O.R.S.E. until the last letter disqualifies from the game.
Like basketball, the target aim is considered the basket to shoot, so you must aim carefully at different angles.
The game becomes challenging when the first player sets up the positions and angles at varying degrees of difficulty to keep it interesting.
Skills Needed for this Game
For this game, you should be able to shoot with the same kind of arrows with the same spine, fletchings, and cut at the same length and weight for accuracy of the shot.
Using a large peep sight in the bowstring will prove useful for your greater visibility and field of view, especially when there is a bending and twisting shot.
Since the game doesn’t involve a stopwatch, practice the 10-second rule by focusing on the target and taking your time to get the aim right.
Then remember to keep yourself steady and wait for the shot’s release until it has landed on the target to keep your accuracy on the aim.
Benefits for the Archer
You can practice taking shots at different angles pushing you to adjust your body and the way you hold your bow.
You learn to adapt to different positions, whether it be an extended stance or a crouched position depending on the first player’s challenge.
You’ll be challenged on your weak or vulnerable positions because the first player will use difficult angles to gain an advantage.
Your sense of competitiveness is heightened because trick shots that the other players could take will likewise push you to take the same aim.
7. Robin Hood
Along with your fellow opponent, an archer will start 10-15 yards away from the target to take turns shooting.
If you hit the target, you then gain by moving backward by 5 yards and continue until you are the last one standing.
It’s up to you how you will aim for the shot since you have to consider the arrow trajectory as you move further away from the target.
You also have to choose the best angle to get the shot, whether you move more to the left or the right but still at the same distance.
Skills Needed for this Game
You start the game with a lower degree of difficulty because it is near to the target.
But as you hit the target and move 5 yards back, you’ll have to rely on your large peep sight in the bowstring for a better field of view and visibility.
Keeping your anchor point in focus will give you a better sense of focus as you continue to move longer into the game.
You have to have a level of control where you choose to execute the shot and the number you pick in your head when to release.
Benefits for the Archer
When you play Robin Hood, you level up your skill with the increasing distance from the target.
As the number of opponents drops because of a missed shot, you heighten your competitive streak by staying in the game.
You’re able to aim while under pressure and learn to calm your nerves as you move further from the target.
You’ll appreciate this game as it closely resembles the actual hunting activity of moving near then waiting for a distance to take a clear shot of the game animal.
8. 3-D Archery
Archers engage in 3-D archery by shooting a 3-dimensional target usually made from foam in the shape of an animal.
The 3-D foam target is made in different sized animals set up in an outdoor target course with elements of a hiking trail.
Just like a real-life hunting experience, you move from one area to the next and take your aim on the target.
There are different hunting scenarios in this 3-D game, so archers enjoy a game that’s close to real-life experience.
Skills Needed for this Game
You’ll tap into your knowledge on your hunting skills which include judging the distance from your position to the target without a rangefinder.
Take note of your anchor point as the different target positions of different sized 3-D foam animals will need you to either use a kisser button or peep sight to help line up your target.
You’ll need to adjust your stance when positioning yourself in the various hunting ranges such as raised platforms, uphill, downhill, hillsides, and wide-open fields.
The different angles and varying sizes of the 3-D animal form will force you to sharpen your aiming skill by timing the pin to center with your release of the arrow.
Benefits of the Archer
While this is a fun game, you’ll be challenged and tested with your aiming skills on different heights and hunting scenarios.
You’ll like the natural feel of the next-to-real hunting experience which this game tries hard to replicate.
You’ll get the exercise needed as you navigate the different hunting courses with the many slouching, bending, and tilting angles for you to aim.
Your competitive nature is heightened amongst other opponents as you go through the hunting course and take the needed angle for a shot at the 3-D animal figure.
9. 1-on-1 Olympic Target Archery
As the name suggests, this is what the competitive archers face during the tournaments and the Olympics.
You can play this game indoors with a distance of 25 meters or outdoors with a distance of 90 meters from the traditional five-color, ten-ring target.
Played solo or as a team for indoor target archery, you will shoot 25 meters on a 60cm target and 18 meters on a 40cm target in a Recurve and Compound division.
If an arrow reaches outside the six rings, you will score 0 because it misses the target.
Skills Needed for this Game
As this is the closest to a tournament setup, you have to check your stance with your core engaged for stability.
You’ll want to have a relaxed grip that will cradle the bow before releasing the shot allowing you to have a good hold of the very foundation of your aim.
Take note of your back tension when drawing your bow, then keep a constant and steady tension upon release, which is also opposing the bow’s force.
Make sure you take a deep breath while drawing the bow to aim, then exhale as you release the arrow for your target.
Benefits for the Archer
If you’re into tournament target archery, this is a highly recommended practice game for you.
You familiarize yourself with the rules, and technical regulations of the game as there are different do’s and don’ts when it comes to this game.
Your sense of competitiveness is heightened as you qualify for each round until you reach the highest bow division that your skill can reach.
You can consider this a practice round or a first step into the world of Archery Tournaments if you decide to get serious about formal competitions.
10. Knockout
Knockout or some refer to it as nock out; this game is similar to Robin Hood.
Each player starts to target at 10 yards to take the shot and is followed by the next person.
If the player fails to hit the ring or the target, they get kicked out of the game or knocked out, then serve as the person in charge of retrieving the arrows.
If the remaining players fail to get the target, the arrow of the person nearest to the target aim will be declared the winner.
Skills Needed for this Game
You need to keep your anchor point in sharp focus since the game’s nature is getting the arrow to the closest area of the target.
Along with this is the level of control, and will execute the shot as you count on the number before you make the draw.
While you start at the 10-yard distance, you’ll have to consider aiming off or taking note of the wind direction.
You’ll want to check the best angle, not necessarily always to aim in the middle of the target but possibly in another direction depending on how the wind will push the arrow.
Benefits for the Archer
You can gauge your long-distance accuracy and what distance you need to practice to get better by playing this game.
This game closely resembles hunting from different distances where you consider the arrow trajectory and how close you can reach the target.
By practicing this game, you can control your nerves by pressure from the opponents wanting to get the right shot.
Your competitive nature is sharpened as your opponents drop out one by one, increasing the pressure on yourself.
Final Thoughts
Archery is a sport that needs constant practice and patience to get better.
You’re able to run down the basics of body position from your footing stance to the correct grip of the bow, the back tension, and correct breathing.
Then there’s the technical side of aiming, which involves the anchor point, the aiming properties, the execution, and follow-through.
Choosing games that will hone your target skills gives you the confidence to aim at your target in different angles, positions, etc.
You’ll also enjoy the fun aspect of the game by yourself or with your friends without the serious technical side of archery.
As you practice, you discover many things about yourself, such as your ability to focus and concentrate on getting the right aim.
