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Article III
A. Adult:
Is provided for male and female archers.
B. Junior:
1. Is provided for male and female archers in age groups of NFAA Young Adult (15 through 17 years of age), NFAA Youth (age 12 through 14), NFAA Cub (under 12 years of age).
1.1 No archer may compete with or against archers of another junior division in any official National or Sectional championship tournament.
1.2 Archers may elect to compete in any higher division, junior or adult, with written parental consent. An NFAA form in triplicate shall be provided for parental or guardian signature. One copy must be filed with NFAA Headquarters and one copy with the state association Secretary. Once this option has been exercised the archer may not revert back.
1.3 The NFAA Cub, Youth and Young Adult archers are eligible for 20 pins and other awards in the same manner as adult division.
1.4 Archer’s date of birth must appear on his/her official membership card. Any Junior archer who has a birthday during a tournament will be allowed to complete that tournament in the age group that he/she started in.
1.5 Recognized shooting styles for Junior Division archers shall be only the following styles:
NFAA Young Adult, Youth, Cub:
Freestyle
Bowhunter Freestyle
Barebow
Freestyle Limited Recurve
Barebow Recurve
2. Cub:
2.1 This classification is established for archers under 12 years of age.
2.2 Cub shooting positions shall be marked with black stakes.
2.3 The Cub’s handicap must be established entirely on the Cub course and is not applicable to or from any other course.
2.4 Cub official target units are shown in Appendix 3.
2.5 The cub archers shall receive distinctive 50 point progressive merit patches. They shall be awarded on official 28 target rounds for one consecutive score of one 50-point increment between 50 and 550. Applications for cub merit patches shall be made to the state association secretary. Patches are furnished free of charge by the NFAA.
2.6 Cub members of the NFAA are eligible for patches for a perfect 20 score on their distances shot – 10, 15, 18, 20, 25 and 30 yards. Patches would have designated distances on face. Application for patch should be submitted within 30 days by the eligible archer for the award, accompanied by the proper fee, to the State Secretary or Chairman.
2.7 All Cubs shall shoot at 10 yards on all Indoor Rounds where adults shoot at 20 yards.
3 Youth:
3.1 The youth classification is established for archers ages 12 through 14.
3.2 The handicap must be established entirely on the youth (50 yard maximum) course and is not applicable to or from any other course.
3.3 Any and all official NFAA units or rounds shall not contain shots over 50 yards. Group 1 animal faces shall be shot from the closest walk-up animal stake only.
3.4 Youth official target units are shown in Appendix 4.
The youth archers shall receive distinctive 50 point progressive merit patches. They shall be awarded on official 28 target rounds for one consecutive score of one 50-point increment between 50 and 550. Applications for youth merit patches shall be made to the state association secretary. Patches are furnished free of charge by the NFAA.
3.5 The shooting positions for youth archers shall be marked blue.
4. Young Adult:
4.1 The young adult classification is provided for archers 15 through 17 years of age and for those younger that have waived into this division.
4.2 The young adult must establish his handicap entirely on the 80 yard (adult length) course and it is not applicable to or from any other course.
C. Senior:
A Senior Division for archers ages 50 to 59, a Silver Senior Division for archers age 60 to 69, and a Master Senior Division for archers age 70 and older shall be provided at National and Sectional (Indoor and Outdoor) tournaments. Any archer may compete in only one Division; however, those age 50 to 59 may compete as either an Adult or Senior, those age 60 to 69 may compete as either an Adult, Senior or Silver Senior, and those age 70 and older may compete as either an Adult, Senior, Silver Senior or Master Senior.
D. Professional:
1. Membership:
1.1 Archers wishing to join the Professional Division must submit validated proof of minimum score proficiency as shot at an official NFAA Event requiring NFAA membership. The MQS shall be one of any of the following events: For indoor scores the allowed faces shall be the Blue Face 300 round, or Vegas style face NFAA 450 or 600 round. For outdoor scores, archers may use any one score from the following: 28 target Field or 28 target Hunter, or the NFAA 900 round, or NFAA Classic 600 round or the National Marked Yardage 3D. Only State, Sectional or National levels will be considered for an approved qualification score. Validated proof shall be an NFAA stamped score card or verified, posted, and official event results. The Archer must submit a score that may not be less than 96.5% of the winning score in the respective division they wish to join as averaged over the last 6 National events for that division.
1.1.1 All current pro’s would not need to qualify unless their membership lapses for more than 60 days *unless medically excused (injury, illness, military deployment, etc.) A returning Pro may use past champion’s provisional (Member of US National team, NFAA National event winner) to avoid the qualification score if they lapsed. Provisional claim cannot be more than 5 years past.
1.2 Archers who are NFAA members in good standing shall be eligible for NFAA Professional Division membership, however, those archers under 18 shall be required to file written permission from his/her parent or guardian. Professional archers under 18 are required to hold an adult membership.
1.3 Archers must provide an application listing a member of the Professional division in good standing as a mentor for professional membership. Their first year of membership will be a probationary period pending fulfillment of membership requirements.
1.4 Upon payment of Pro dues, the NFAA Professional archer accepts that he/she must abide by the Code of Ethics and the Dress Code.
1.5 The Professional Division shall have the following designation for Senior Professional levels: A Senior Division for archers ages 50 to 59, a Silver Senior Division for archers age 60 to 69, and a Master Senior Division for archers age 70 and older shall be provided at National and Sectional (Indoor and Outdoor) tournaments. Any archer may compete in only one Division; however, those age 50 to 59 may compete as either an Adult or Senior, those age 60 to 69 may compete as either an Adult, Senior or Silver Senior, and those age 70 and older may compete as either an Adult, Senior Silver Senior, or Master Senior. All Professional Divisions (Adult, Senior, Silver Senior, Master Senior) shall be recognized and Professional Division Champions at all NFAA Indoor and Outdoor National Tournaments shall be awarded Silver Bowls. The Professional Silver Senior and Master Senior Divisions shall not be prevented from seeking and receiving contingency support or guaranteed prize funds.
2. Code of Ethics:
2.1 The professional archer must conduct himself at all times in a manner that will bring respect and honor to himself, archery, and the NFAA.
2.2 A professional archer shall make every effort to comply with all tournament rules and regulations both published and intended.
2.3 A professional archer shall not allow his name or likeness to be used in such a manner as to misrepresent any product, nor shall he make claims that tend to misrepresent any product and mislead purchasers as to the actual value or quality of such products.
2.4 A professional archer shall make every effort to protect the amateur standing of amateur archers.
2.5 NFAA Pro Executive Committee will consider the disciplinary action taken for a violation of the Code of Ethics by another Professional organization.
2.6 The Pro Executive committee may investigate and act on any allegations pertaining to any professional archer as they feel necessary.
3. Dress Code:
3.1 General.
The professional archer shall present himself in clean, neat attire, acceptable to public view.
3.2 Not acceptable.
Professional archers shall dress in a clean, professional manner. Bottoms should look fitted, clean, undamaged, and be of appropriate length. The waist of the attire must shall not fall below the waistline. No ripped or frayed jeans. T-shirts, swimming suits, cut-offs and obscene or vulgar slogans or pictures on clothing are prohibited.
3.2.1 Open toed shoes/flip flops/sandals are unacceptable while competing.
3.2.2 Dress codes are not enforced during practice.
3.2.3 Dress codes shall be enforced for all State, Sectional, and National events, and those events sanctioned by the NFAA.
3.2.4 In the event of inclement weather, over wear (rain gear, cold gear) is permissible and will not violate dress code as long as it holds within the spirit of the rule.
3.2.5 Violations to the dress code will be enforced by the Pro Executive Committee (PEC) and may result in a reprimand, probation, suspension, or as outlined in this article, Section 4. Violations can be brought to the Pro Chair or Pro Rep or a member of the PEC by the Tournament Chair or any competitor.
3.2.6 Archers removed from competition will not be eligible for refunds or entry fees in whole or part.
3.2.7 Archers removed from competition for dress code may not makeup arrows missed for score if they return to competition after meeting dress code.
3.2.8 Archers may petition the PEC for exemption only in cases of extreme hardship (i.e. lost/stolen luggage etc.). Petition must be filed not less than 6 hours prior to competition start. In these cases the decision of the PEC is final.
3.2.9 At State and Sectional and sanctioned events the dress code shall be enforced by the State Pro Rep or Sectional Pro Rep.
4. Disciplinary Action:
4.1 Disciplinary action may be taken against any professional member upon proof of violation of the Code of Ethics. Disciplinary action will be determined by the Code of Ethics committee and may result in a reprimand, probation, suspension, disqualification from a tournament in progress, or expulsion from the Professional Division. The following items are subject to immediate disqualification from a tournament in progress and may be subject to further disciplinary action.
4.1.1 Obvious witnessed intoxication while shooting.
4.1.2 Verified cheating.
4.1.3 Blatant violation of code of ethics or dress code.
4.2 The Pro Executive Committee will have the ability to enforce the code of ethics with possible disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may consist of a written warning, fine or suspension.
4.3 A Pro Division member having paid annual dues shall not alter his competitive style for that calendar year, unless a physician’s statement is furnished documenting the injury or disability of the archer in which case the alternate shooting style may be shot.
4.4 Should a Professional archer wish to resign during the calendar year, he/she may do so in writing to NFAA Headquarters. When a Professional archer wishes to return to a non-professional division, he/she may do so with no delay provided he/she has not earned in excess of $300 at NFAA sanctioned shoots within the past 12 months.
5. Equipment Rules:
5.1 Participants in tournaments sanctioned by the Pro Division will abide by the equipment rules of the NFAA.
6. Tournament Competition:
6.1 Members of this division will not compete for awards other than money and/or merchandise in tournaments below the state level. At the state championship they will be required to compete in the Pro Division if one is available. However, members are encouraged to support all types of tournaments by purchasing a scorecard for the regular registration fee.
6.1.1 A NFAA Pro may compete for trophy awards at the state level with the adult shooters, providing there is no pro division recognized at that tournament.
6.1.2 The NFAA Pro Division recognizes only the Freestyle style of shooting.
6.1.3 An NFAA Professional member shall compete in a Professional or Championship division at any NFAA sanctioned or NFAAF, State Sectional, or National event.
7. Pro Chairman:
7.1 The Chairman of the Pro Division will be nominated by the Pro Division members present at Indoor Nationals. The chairman shall be elected in odd numbered years by a mail ballot of all NFAA Pro members. His/her term of office will be two years beginning July 1 of the election year. The mail ballots will be sent by NFAA Headquarters to the Pro members within 30 days of the nominations and sent back to NFAA Headquarters by return mail within 60 days of the nominations. All ballots not returned will be treated as abstentions.
7.2 The Chairman of the Pro Division may be removed for cause, from office by a majority vote of the NFAA Council.
7.3 The Pro Chairman will attend the Bi-annual Board of Directors meeting where he/she serves as chairman of the Pro Agenda Committee. His/her travel will be paid by the Pro Division.
7.4 Duties:
7.4.1 To chair and conduct a Pro Division meeting at the Indoor and Outdoor National Tournament.
7.4.2 To coordinate the Pro Tournament schedule.
7.4.3 To enforce the professional code of dress and ethics.
7.4.4 Assist the tournament chairman at the National Championship Tournaments on Pro Division matters.
7.4.5 Compute awards for the National Championships and provide a list of pro winners to the tournament chairman and forward one to NFAA Headquarters.
7.4.6 Assign a five person Pro Executive committee. The Committee will consist of five appointed members from the Professional Division and the Pro chairman. They shall be one Pro Male, one Pro Female, one Pro Senior, one Pro Silver Senior and one Pro Master Senior. The Pro Chairman will be a non-voting member of the committee, but will appoint the other members.
8. Sectional Representative:
8.1 The Sectional Pro Representative will be nominated and elected by the sectional pros at the Indoor or Outdoor Sectional Championship. The term of office shall be two (2) years. The Sectional Pro Representative will serve as Pro Advisor to the Councilman, and shall be a voting member at the Sectional Board meetings.
8.1.1 The Sectional Councilman will conduct the election at the Indoor or Outdoor Sectional Championship. Nominations will be made in writing to the Sectional Councilman no later than one (1) week prior to the Sectional Indoor or Outdoor Championship. The Councilman may also take further nominations from the Pros present.
8.1.2 The election of the Sectional Pro Representative will be the first order of business at the Indoor or Outdoor Sectional Championship. Immediately following the election, the elected Sectional Pro Representative will chair and conduct that Pro meeting.
8.1.3 The Sectional Pro representative may appoint an alternate to serve as Pro Advisor to the Sectional councilman at multiple sites for Sectional Indoor/Outdoor championships. The appointee must be a Pro member.
8.1.4 If an alternate Pro representative is appointed for multiple sectional sites, he/she will report minutes or forward any items that pertain to the Professional Division to the Sectional Pro representative.
8.1.5 The Sectional Professional Representative will act as a liaison between the Pro Chairman and the State Professional Representatives and individual Professional Division members.
8.2 Duties:
8.2.1 To chair and conduct a Pro Meeting at the Sectional Indoor and Outdoor Tournament.
8.2.2 To present, in writing, to the Sectional Councilman all proposals, Pro agenda items, etc., for consideration by the Sectional Council at their annual Sectional meeting. Such proposals/agenda items to be in the Councilman’s hands no later than three (3) weeks prior to the annual sectional meeting.
8.2.3 To enforce the professional code of dress and ethics in the section.
8.2.4 Assist the tournament chairman at the sectional championship on Pro Division matters as requested.
8.2.5 Compute awards for the sectional pros.
8.2.5.1 Give list of pro winners to Sectional Councilman to be forwarded to NFAA Headquarters.
8.2.5.2 The sectional pro purse shall consist of $50.00 pro purse fee plus $5.00 forwarded from headquarters for each pro member of that section.
8.2.6 Act as mediator for pro division problems in his section working closely with the Sectional Councilman.
8.2.7 Should a problem arise, the sectional pro representative will contact the Sectional Councilman and the Pro Chairperson, who in turn will contact the NFAA Director of the State involved in order to resolve the problem.
9. Purse Allocation:
9.1 The prize fund will be divided by each style and division as determined by its membership. The prize fund will be distributed at Sectional tournaments according to the number of members by style and division in that section. The prize fund at National tournaments will be distributed according to the number of members by style and division in the Professional Division.
9.2 If no competitors from a style/division attend a Sectional or National tournament, the prize fund from their membership will be distributed proportionately based on attendance at that tournament.
10. Purse Distribution
10.1 Shooters Place Distribution % Table (Download via Resources)
10.2 The Pro Chairman, NFAA President and NFAA Vice President shall determine the distribution of all outside prize money.
11. Guarantee Fund/Pro Bonus:
11.1 Funds are accrued in the NFAA Professional Division guarantee fund to stimulate professional archery competition.
11.2 Tournament sponsors wishing support from this fund shall contact the NFAA Councilman, Pro Chairman or NFAA Executive Secretary at least 6 months prior to the event.
11.3 The fund will guarantee for prize money at a sanctioned event in the form of a NFAA Pro Bonus. The amount of this bonus will be based on past performance by established tournaments or will be set by the Council on all new tournaments. The Pro Bonus at these tournaments will be for NFAA Pros only.
11.4 A minimum purse of $6000 for the National Indoor Tournament and a minimum of $6000 for the National Outdoor Tournament, will be guaranteed by the NFAA Pro Division and funded from the Pro Guarantee fund only.
12. Tournament Default:
In the event of a default of a sanctioned event, the fund shall guarantee payment of NFAA Pro Bonus Money only.
13. Professional Dues:
The NFAA Professional fees being $125.00 per member for the calendar year. The following guidelines will be used in disbursing membership dues:
| National Indoor Championship Prize Fund | $25.00 |
| National Field Championship Prize Fund | $27.50 |
| Sectional Indoor Championship Prize Fund | $10.00 |
| Sectional Field Championship Prize Fund | $10.00 |
| Pro Point Prize Fund | $20.00 |
| Tournament Guarantee Fund | $2.50 |
| NFAA Administration Cost | $5.00 |
| General Expense Fund | $20.00 |
| Professional Scholarship Fund | $5.00 |
| Total | $125.00 |