The 720 round, normally called the qualification round consists of 72 arrows shot at the appropriate distance (See 720m table below) and ranks the archers from first to last place. It is this ranking that will determine the draw for the elimination matchplay.

Depending on your bow class (compound or recurve) the set system or cumulative matchplay system will be used. It is important to ensure that you advise your tournament organiser of the category in which you will be competing as a change in category can impact drastically on the number of butts required as well as field spacing and field equipment. In some cases, advising the organisers too late about a category change may result in not being able to accommodate you.

For example, if you are registered for the event in the Cub class, and change to a senior category, it may require an extra butt. If it is a World Archery sanctioned event, which requires a certain number of judges per number of butts, and if the organisers have not provided additional judges, your entry could be rejected. Junior archers may elect to compete in their own category, higher or senior classes but are obligated to inform the tournament organisers at registration (e.g.: a Cadet can, if he or she wishes, compete in the junior or senior categories).

Recurve Archers target Face*
All recurve archers shoot 72 arrows on a 122cm target face at their appropriate distances (See 720m table below) except for the Cub Boys and Girls (Under 15) who shoot their eliminations on the 80cm target face.

Compound Archers Target Face*
All compound archers shoot 72 arrows on a 80cm 6-ring target face at their appropriate distances (See 720m table below)

*Congress 2013

The table below illustrates the distances shot by category. Where an Age is shown, it is the maximum age in that year that the archer can compete in that category (see the example above). D1-D4 are the 1440 round distances with D1-D2 being the long distances and D3-D4 being the short distances. The 720 round is normally shot in two rounds, both at the same distance. The IQS is the Indoor Qualification Score required for National Colours and the OQS is the Outdoor Qualification Score for National Colours. In the case of National Colours, there are specific formulas and other requirements that need to be met.