2026 ABFAA Arizona State 5 Spot Championship
January 17-18, 2026
Ben Avery Indoor Archery Range
4404 W Black Canyon Hwy
Phoenix, AZ 85086
The NFAA Southwest Sectionals is being run at the same time on the same range. The Sectionals has a seperate registration from the ABFAA State 5 Spot. If you want to shoot in both, you must register for both. No discount for registering for both. The sectionals is being hosted by NFAA. The State Championship is hosted by DSA. Continue with the information below to register for the State Championship.
To register for the Sectionals, Click this link for the NFAA Sectionals.
If you shoot in both, you will be entering 2 sets of scores. 1 via your personal smart phone for the sectionals and one for the state championship with tablets supplied by DSA.
Rounds:
One 300 round. The consists of 2 sets of 6 ends. 5 arrow ends of 4 minutes. All divisions shoot 20 yards. Exception: Cub ages in the disciplines of Freestyle, Freestyle Limited, Freestyle Limited Recurve, and Bowhunter Freestyle shoot 10 Yards.
Due to the range set up, we may limit cubs that shoot 10 yards to no more than 8 during any shooting time.
Two ends of official practice will be shot prior to official scoring.
Target:
All divisions will shoot 5 Spot blue target face or the single spot blue target face. Once a type of target face is chosen and tournament has started (official practice), the target face style can not be changed.
All Archers must be members of NFAA and ABFAA in good standing. Any archer that registers and are not members of NFAA and ABFAA will be moved to guest division without notice.
1. Each archer will complete at least one standard NFAA Indoor Round. For Sectionals Only--- Archers may complete up to two rounds at the same location, with the highest counting toward their final ranking. Each standard round will consist of 60 arrows, 12 ends of 5 arrows per end.
2. The distance will be 20 yards with the exception of Cubs who will shoot at 10 yards.
3. Half way through each round, archers shooting bottom targets will move their target face to the top, and archers shooting top targets will move their target face to the bottom.
4. Target:
a. The target shall be 40 cm. in diameter and shall be of a dull blue color. The spot shall be two white rings with blue X in center ring. All inscribed scoring rings shall be white.
b. The bullseye shall be 8 cm. in diameter with a 4 cm. X-ring.
c. Any archer may choose to use the NFAA Indoor Five Spot Target in lieu of the NFAA Indoor Single Spot Target. If using the NFAA Indoor Five Spot Target: An archer may shoot any of the 5 spots in any order and shoot as many arrows into any one spot as the archer desires, not to exceed the prescribed number of arrows per end. Scoring shall be five points for the combined 4 cm. X-ring and 8 cm. white ring and four points for the combined 12 cm. and 16 cm. blue rings.
5. Archers must straddle the shooting line. A disabled archer shooting from a chair or wheelchair will place the chair legs or wheels straddling the shooting line.
6. The time limit is 4 minutes per end.
7. In the event of equipment failure, the archer will have 15 minutes repair time without holding up the tournament. One practice end will be allowed. The archer shall be allowed to shoot any arrows he or she did not shoot during the 15 minutes repair time after the final end.
8. Prior to each shooting line, there will be 2 ends of official practice on the archer's assigned target. Scoring begins immediately after the 2 practice ends; no additional practice ends will be shot.
9. Scoring:
a. The scoring is Inside-Out X, X, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 from the spot out on the NFAA Indoor Single Spot Target. The scoring is Inside-Out X, X, 5, 4 from the spot out on the NFAA Indoor Five Spot Target. An arrow is considered to be an Inside-Out X if the shaft is completely inside the X-ring with no part of the shaft touching the X-ring. Xs and Inside-Out Xs will be counted and considered part of the archer's official score.
b. Archers shall record X’s and the numeric value of each arrow in each scoring box before touching or drawing any arrows from the target. No archer may touch the target face before all arrows are scored.
c. An arrow cutting two rings shall be scored in the ring of greater value. Scoring is determined by the position of the shaft. In all NFAA Rounds, an arrow shaft need only touch the line to be counted in the area of next higher value.
d. In the event the scoring ring has become distorted due to torn or missing paper, the scorer shall visually reconstruct the natural arc of the scoring ring to determine the value of the arrow(s).
e. Witnessed bounce outs or arrows passing completely through the target will be re-shot.
f. Hits on the wrong target will be scored as misses.
g. When an arrow is dropped while the archer is in the act of shooting, he/she may shoot another arrow in place of the dropped arrow if any portion of the dropped arrow is within 10 feet of the shooting line.
h. If an archer shoots more than the prescribed number of arrows in an end, the excess arrow or arrows of higher value will not be scored. A penalty of one scoring ring (1 point and 1 X if applicable) will be assessed for each arrow shot over the prescribed number of arrows.
i. If an archer shoots less than the prescribed number of arrows in one end he/she may shoot his/her remaining arrows if the omission is discovered before the end is officially completed; otherwise they shall be scored as misses.
j. The target group, which generally consists of 4 archers, will select a score caller, two scorekeepers, and a target captain. The target captain shall be the judge of disputed arrows on his/her target. When a captain’s arrows are in question, the majority of the group shall decide the status of the target captain’s arrows. When a line judge has been appointed and an appeal is made to the line judge, the line judge's call will be final.
k. Scorecards must have all totals correct and in the proper place. Both scorekeepers and the archer must sign the scorecard. A scorecard submitted with incorrect total(s) may be disqualified.
l. Double scoring will be used for all paper scorecards. Ideally, there should be one colored version and one white version. Two archers are designated as paper scorekeepers on each target bale. One scorekeeper will complete all of the colored scorecards and the other scorekeeper will complete all of the white scorecards.
m. Scorecards should be turned in to the tournament host within 30 minutes of the end of the assigned round. All scoring on the official scorecards must be completed in INK. Any changes on the official scorecard must be agreed upon and initialed by all archers in the scoring group. Any archer turning in an incorrect scorecard will be subject to disqualification.
10. Tie-Breaker Procedures
In the event of a tie in the final score, the following procedures shall be applied in order to determine the higher ranked archer:
1. Highest total X count,
2. Highest total Inside-Out X count,
3. Latest end with first dropped point,
4. Latest end with first dropped X, and
5. Latest end with first dropped Inside-Out X.
Bow Types Allowed
B. Barebow:
1. Archers shooting Barebow style will use bow, arrows, strings, and accessories free from any sights, marks or blemishes that may be used as a sighting aid.
2. An adjustable arrow plate may be used provided it does not extend more than ¼” above the arrow.
3. The use of stabilizers shall be permitted. The rear stabilizer shall not touch any part of the body.
4. One consistent nocking point only is permitted and may be held by one or two nock locators, which shall be snap on type, shrink tubing, thread or dental floss, tied or served on the serving. Nocking point locators shall not extend more than one half inch (1/2”) above or below the arrow nock when at full draw.
5. Only one adjustable draw check and level mounted on the bow, neither of which may extend above the arrow and a mechanical type arrow rest and cushion plunger are permitted.
6. Only gloves, tabs, or fingers shall be permitted, except in the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.
7. All arrows shall be identical in length, weight, diameter and fletching, with allowance for wear and tear. Powder on the arrow points shall be permitted as a visual aid.
8. The ends or edges or laminated pieces appearing on the inside of the upper limb shall be considered a sighting mechanism.
9. No device of any kind, not including arrow rest, arrow plate or plunger button, that can be used for sighting, will be used or attached to the archer’s equipment.
10. The pylon (string clearance bar) will be allowed in this style if it is not located in the sight window.
11. No part of the arrow rest may extend more than ¼ inch above the arrow in the sight window.
C. Freestyle:
1. Any type of sight and its written memorandum may be used.
2. Any release aid may be used provided it is hand operated and supports the draw weight of the bow and is not attached to the bow other than the bowstring. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers or release aids.
3. The rear stabilizer shall not touch any part of the body.
D. Freestyle Limited:
1. Any type of sight and its written memorandum may be used.
2. Release aids shall be limited to gloves, tabs and fingers. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.
3. The rear stabilizer shall not touch any part of the body.
E. Freestyle Bowhunter:
1. A maximum of (5) five fixed reference points: Points of attachment shall not be considered reference points. A line running vertically from its top attachment in the pin guard to its bottom attachment in the pin guard would be legal. Sighting reference points, string peep (with or without a lens) and/or kisser button may not be moved during a round. Scopes, clickers and draw checks are not allowed. A round or oval housing around the points of reference is not considered a scope as long as no lens is used. No additional pin guard may be used. A sight pin consisting of a housing with a hole through it, that does not contain a fixed reference point within the hole, is not allowed.
2. Release aids will be permitted. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers or release aids.
3. A pinguard mounted on the sight, and a level mounted anywhere will be legal in this style of shooting, provided that there are no additional marks or blemishes on either of these items that could be used for sighting.
4. A string of suitable material with a center serving and end servings of the same or different color than the string may be used. One consistent nocking point only is permitted. Nocking point locators shall not extend more than ½ inch above or below the arrow nock when at full draw. Brush buttons and string silencers properly attached will be legal.
5. One anchor point only is permitted.
6. All arrows shall be identical in size, length, weight, and fletching with allowances for wear and tear.
7. Brush buttons, string silencer, positioned no closer than midway between the nocking point and where the string touches the wheel/cam, and bow quiver installed on the opposite side of the sight window, with no part of the quiver or attachments visible in the sight window are legal. One straight stabilizer, coupling device included if used, which cannot exceed 12 inches at any time, as measured from the back of the bow, V-bar, counterbalance and string dampeners may be used.
8. An archer will not be permitted to change the draw weight of the bow during a round.
9. During a round no adjustments may be made to the bow and its related equipment unless equipment failure is recognized.
F. Traditional:
1. This style of shooting is for those who wish to compete with the Recurve or Longbow.
2. No device of any kind, including arrow rest, that can be used for sighting will be used or attached to the archers’ equipment.
3. There shall be no device, mechanical or otherwise, in the sight window except the arrow rest, arrow plate or plunger button.
4. No part of the arrow rest may extend more than ¼ inch above the arrow in the sight window.
5. No clickers, drawchecks or levels will be allowed. No laminations, marks or blemishes on the face of the bow or in the sight window will be legal.
6. The string may be of any color but must have a single color center serving. One single nocking point is permitted. One or two nock locators may be used. Brush buttons and string silencers, properly placed may be used. Any other marks or string attachments will be illegal.
7. One anchor point only is permitted.
8. The archer shall touch the arrow when nocked and drawing the arrow with the index finger against the nock. Finger position may not be changed during competition. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.
9. Gloves, tabs or fingers shall be the only legal releases. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.
10. All arrows shall be identical in length, weight, diameter and fletching with allowance for wear and tear.
11. One straight stabilizer, coupling device included, if used, which cannot exceed 12 inches at any time as measured from the back of the bow.
12. No written memorandum will be allowed.
13. Bow Slings are permissible.
14. During a round no adjustments may be made to the bow and/or its related equipment unless equipment failure is recognized.
G. Freestyle Limited Recurve:
1. Any type of sight and its written memorandum may be used, providing the sighting mechanism has no magnification. Levels, string peep sights, marks, ties or string attachments to the string and electronic devices are not allowed. A kisser button may be used.
2. Release aids shall be limited to gloves, tabs and fingers. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.
3. This style is limited to use of recurve bow or longbow.
H. Crossbow-Not Allowed
I. Barebow Recurve
1. This style of shooting is for those who wish to compete with the Recurve or Longbow.
2. Archers shooting Barebow Recurve style will use bow, arrows, strings, and accessories free from any sights, marks or blemishes that may be used as a sighting aid. No laminations, marks or blemishes on the face of the bow or in the
sight window will be legal. Multi-colored bow risers, and trademarks located on the inside of the upper and lower limb or on the riser are permitted.
3. An arrow rest and cushion plunger are permitted. There shall be no device, mechanical or otherwise, in the sight window except the arrow rest, arrow plate or plunger button.
4. No clickers, draw checks or levels will be allowed.
5. Weight(s) may be added to the lower part of the riser. All weights, regardless of shape, shall mount directly to the riser without rods, extensions, angular mounting connection or shock-absorbing devises.
6. The unstrung bow complete with permitted accessories shall be capable of passing through a hole or ring with a 12.2 cm inside diameter +/- 0.5 mm.
7. The string may be any color but must have a single color center serving. Brush buttons and string silencers, properly placed, may be used.
8. One consistent nocking point only is permitted and may be held by one or two nock locators.
9. Face walking and string walking are allowed.
10. Gloves, tabs or fingers shall be the only legal releases. Marks or lines may be added directly to the tab and shall be uniform in size, shape and color. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.
11. All arrows used shall be identical in length, weight, diameter, fletching, and nocks, without regard to color, with allowance for wear and tear.
12. No part of the arrow rest, cushion plunger or arrow plate may extend more than ¼ inch above the arrow in the sight window.
J. Longbow
1. A one or two piece straight ended bow constructed of wood or laminated wood with nonadjustable limbs. When the bow is braced, the string must not touch the limbs between the notches on the limb. The belly and the back of the bow may have carbon or fiberglass on them.
2. The belly of the bow must be free of any marks or blemishes that can be used as sighting aids.
3. The bow may contain a window and an arrow shelf. No mechanical or elevated rests may be used.
4. Only one nicking point is allowed on the string which may be marked by one or two nocking point locators.
5. The archer shall touch the arrow when nocked and drawing the arrow with the index finger against the nock. In case of physical disability of arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers.
6. One anchor point only is permitted.
7. All arrows shall be identical in length, weight, diameter and fletching with allowance for wear and tear.
8. No written memorandum will be allowed. Bow slings are permissible.
9. Participation in this style may shoot any type of arrow.
10. For all tournaments below the Sectional level, longbow archers may shoot at Youth stakes distances at the discretion of each state or club.
K. Modern Bowhunter
1. Any sight and scope may be used as long as the scope itself does not contain any lens in front of or behind the pin/s. Scopes with lenses, clickers and draw checks are not allowed. A sight pin consisting of a housing with a hole through it, that does not contain a fixed reference point within the hole, is not allowed.
2. Release aids will be permitted. In the case of physical disability of the arms or hands, a chew strap may be used in place of fingers or release aids.
3. A pinguard mounted on the sight, and a level mounted anywhere will be legal in this style of shooting.
4. A string of suitable material with a center serving and end servings of the same or different color than the string may be used. One consistent nocking point only is permitted. Nocking point locators shall not extend more than 1/2 inch above or below the arrow nock when at full draw. Brush buttons and string silencers properly attached will be legal.
5. One anchor point only is permitted.
6. All arrows shall be identical in size, length, weight, and fletching with allowances for wear and tear.
7. Straight stabilizer, coupling device included if used, which cannot exceed 18 inches at any time, as measured from the back of the bow, V-bar, counterbalance and string dampeners may be used.
8. An archer will not be permitted to change the draw weight of the bow during a round.
Compound bows may be asked to shoot through a chronometer. DSA uses a Competition Electronics Chrono.
The maximum peak draw weight allowed in NFAA competition shall be 80 pounds, with a maximum arrow speed of 300 feet per second, with a variance of 3%. See By-Laws Article IV, Section D, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1.9.
Point of Contact: Rick Bachman desertskyarchers@gmail.com
602-295-1639
Age Catagories (based on archers age by January 18th , 2025):
Master Senior 70+
Silver Senior 60-69
Senior 50-59
Adult 18-49
Young Adult 15-17
Youth 12-14
Cub 11 and younger
Professional Adult 18-49
Professional Senior 50-59
Professional Silver Senior 60-69
Professional Master Senior 70+
Collegiate (registered with NFAA as a collegiate archer)
Registration Fees:
Adult/Senior/Silver Senior: $45
Youth/Young Adult/Collegiate: $40
Cubs/Master Senior: $35
Professional $100 (50% payback, must possess a current NFAA Pro Card in good standing to compete. Freestyle only is eligible). Payout is 1st 50%, 2nd 30%, 3rd 20% or 50% payback.
No Refunds after January 12, 2026. Registration to close January 13, 2026, 7AM. Desert Sky reserves the right to close registration early due to full venue.
Shooting Schedule
January 17-18, 2026
Morning Session
check in at the scoring desk starts at 7:30AM
8:15AM Start of Official Practice 2 ends
After Official Practice, straight into 12 ends of scoring with a short break at 6 ends.
Afternoon Session
check in at the scoring desk starts at 12:15AM
1:00PM Start of Official Practice 2 ends
After Official Practice, straight into 12 ends of scoring with a short break at 6 ends.
Awards ceremony to be following the last end of shooting on Saturday. Please be present at award ceremony if you make the podium. DSA will mail awards if we are sent a $9 via paypal desertskyarchers@gmail.com.