Do judges (U.K.) slow up shoots?

[Old Bloke]

I'm probably going to get flamed for this post but..hey..nothing new there.

Having just returned to the target archery shooting lines, talking to competitors and judges alike, there is a strong rumour going around that the shooting time for 6 arrows on a York (etc) is going to be reduced from 5 minutes to 4, i.e., 2 minutes per three. This is only a rumour, but if this is implemented on the basis of *the shoots are taking too long to run* then from recent observation, the judges themselves are a reason for shoots to overrun in time.
I have noticed that in our parts at least (South West) that it takes about an extra three minutes for a judge to clear the lines after the last archer has returned to his or her shooting position. In view of the fact that it could be an extra 6 minutes per dozen, that could be as much as 36 minutes just completing the longer distance..and that is without any judging business.
Also, it has come to my notice that in quite a few cases, those judges who for whatever reason, are not the lightest of foot and who take the longest time to cover a distance, always seem to be given the longest distance(s) to
preside over, where in practical terms the ladies or junior lines would be best suited.
Whilst it might not be a bad idea to decrease the shooting time in itself, the reasons for the decrease are not neccessarily due to the archers taking excessive time on the line.
All I can say to any judges reading this is we that we do appreciate the work you do..work that has to be done..but..at the end of the day..GET A BLEED** MOVE ON!

[Chumpzilla]

Originally Posted by Old Bloke

strong rumour going around that the shooting time for 6 arrows on a York (etc) is going to be reduced from 5 minutes to 4, i.e., 2 minutes per three.

It's not just a rumour, it was confirmed to Angry Gaz and myself at the GNAM that the timings will be changed on imperial rounds to fall in with metric. We were told that this will be being implemented at the British Targets in August.

[geoffretired]

heehee! Bungee ropes spring to mind.

[andrew.paterson]

Originally Posted by Old Bloke

I have noticed that in our parts at least (South West) that it takes about an extra three minutes for a judge to clear the lines after the last archer has returned to his or her shooting position.

In view of the great weather we are having at the moment another time killer can be arrows in the grass.

We all miss, or we will miss at some time for whatever reason - archer or equipment. Sometimes though too much time is spent looking for the lost arrows. Surely misses can be searched for during the breaks in shooting? I know I would prefer to do that if I had a lost arrow. At a shoot I was at recently we had to wait over 10 minutes for someone to find an arrow, because they didn't have any spares!!! Come on archers if you are going to tournaments at least take enough kit with you for goodness sake.

[Tony_zelah]

Thought one of the reasons judges walked back slowly was to allow time for archers who them selves are slow walkers time to rest and prepare them selves physically and mentally for the next end.

[steve58]

In my limited experience this seems to vary by judge and venue. Some judges like to keep the shoot moving purposefully, and diplomatically discourage archers socialising/calculating at the target line, others seem content to let things trundle along... There is one local shoot which seems always to run slow, at least it has every time I have been there! My personal preference is for a shoot to be quite brisk, far easier to stay focused on the task at hand, especially in poor weather. I also agree with the poster earlier who suggested that arrows could be found in batches (perhaps hanging something on the back of bosses where there was still a missing arrow to make sure it got looked for), eg at a York there is often a comfort break at the three dozen stage; athough I can see this might create its own problems if the field party only had one metal detector and a lot of ground to cover...

[steve58]

Originally Posted by Tony_zelah

Thought one of the reasons judges walked back slowly was to allow time for archers who them selves are slow walkers time to rest and prepare them selves physically and mentally for the next end.

"archer speed" is already pretty gentle! I have sometimes seen newbies at shoots who get to the targets and find they have time to do another lap before the rest of the field catches up

[BeardedBowman]

could I ask what possible reason you think Judges would have to slow up shoots? what does that achieve???

Duh....

[Old Bloke]

I think you have missed the content of my post..judges are not deliberately slowing up the shoots..they are probably not aware that they do or might do.

And concerning archers having enough arrows, I concur,...at the recent GWAS champs at the last end of the 100yds we had to wait 10 minutes for an arrow to be found and believe it of not on the very last end of the day..another 10 minutes wait for another lost arrow to be found when there were only another 6 to be shot in the entire tournament.

[Watch_Man]

Over the past few months I have been chief bag carrier, string waxer and driver for archery_mum and have been taking photos to pass the time. We have been to the UK Masters, YAA FITA Star, Lincoln Double FITA Star, Bronte RS Hereford and several more shoots. I get to watch fairly closely what is going on and I cannot say I have seen any indication that judges are slowing these shoots down. I have seen lost arrows and archers being asked to look during the break if they are taking too long and I have seen judges walking back slowly behind the last remaining archers but only for safety to ensure everyone is across the line.

What I have noticed at every single competition without exception is that its the guys line that always causes delays and generally speaking are the last back to the line. Where the ladies and gents are split it is always the ladies who collect and return first. Shoot me down in flames if you want but someone actual told me at Lincoln that they had timed it and that the ladies would have finished the FITA star about 30 mins before the gents if they had been shooting on seperate fields.