Clout archery

Clout is a form of archery in which archers shoot arrows at a flag (known as "the Clout") from a relatively long distance and score points depending on how close each arrow lands to the flag.

Scoring zones are defined by maximum radii from the flag pole. Each arrow scores points depending on which scoring zone it enters the ground in. An arrow embedded in the flag pole is counted as being in the highest scoring zone. If an arrow is lying on the ground, it is considered to be in the scoring zone in which its point lies.

The scoring zones may be marked on the ground. Where this is not practical, a non-stretch rope or chain marked with the radii of the scoring zones is attached to the flag pole and swept around it to determine which arrows are in which zones.

A designated person collects the arrows in each zone, sorts them into sets, and lays them on the ground. Each archer in turn points to his or her arrows and calls out the scores in descending order.

A single clout round consists of three dozen arrows, shot in ends of 6 arrows. Tournaments typically consist of a double clout round, in which a total of six dozen arrows is shot.

The GNAS version of clout is used in the United Kingdom. The information in this section is drawn from Part 7 Clout Shooting of the Grand National Archery Society's Rules of Shooting. (GNAS 2008)

Flags are set at specified distances for combinations of age and gender. The archer's bow type does not affect the distance the archer shoots.

Each flag consists of a 12" square piece of coloured fabric on a short softwood pole, the flag to be as close to the ground as is practical.

Shooting may be "one way" or "two way":

A minimum overshoot is required behind each set of flags.

Most GNAS clout shoots are one-way.

Each arrow scores points depending on which scoring zone it lands in. Scoring zones are defined by maximum radii from the flag pole.

The British Long-Bow Society has its own form of clout shooting. The Society restricts the archers to the use of English longbows and wooden arrows.

Ladies shoot 120 yards (110 m), gentlemen 180 yards (160 m). BLBS clouts are generally two-way.

The target is 30in diameter, white, resting on a frame at 45 degrees to the ground with a 4in central black spot. Concentric rings are marked at 30in, 4 feet, 7 feet, 10 feet (3.0 m) and 13 feet (4.0 m) from the centre.

Scoring is 6 for a clout, down to 1 for the outside ring. 2 rounds of 36 arrows in 12 ends of 3 are shot to make a 'Double Clout Round'

At the Woodmen of Arden's traditional shoots, the 'marker' at the target end steps from behind his screen, lies on his back and waves his top hat in the air to signify that a clout has been scored.

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