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Frostbite Round

Frostbite Round Scoresheet

The Frostbite Round – A Winter Archery Tradition

As the temperatures drop and frost settles on the grass, archers across the UK embrace a round designed specifically for the winter months: the Frostbite Round. Short, sharp, and perfect for testing skill against the elements, it has become a staple of club and county archery during the colder season.

Download Frostbite Scoresheet

What Is the Frostbite Round?

The Frostbite Round is a short-distance outdoor round, shot at 30 metres on an 80 cm target face using 10-zone scoring. Archers shoot a total of 36 arrows, usually in ends of 6 arrows, making it fast-paced and manageable even on cold winter days.

It is widely used in clubs and counties across the UK, particularly in winter leagues and postal competitions, where archers can compete locally against other clubs.

History and Purpose

  • UK archery clubs developed the Frostbite Round probably in the 1980s to keep archers active during the winter months, when longer rounds like the York or Hereford would be impractical due to short daylight hours, cold weather, and wet conditions.

  • While it is popular in clubs and county competitions, the Frostbite Round is not formally recognised by Archery GB for classification or handicap purposes. This means it cannot be used to achieve or improve official Archery GB classifications or handicaps.

  • The round’s name is a playful nod to the chilly conditions in which it is traditionally shot.

Competitions and Leagues

Somerset County Archery hold a postal competition throughout the winter season.

SCAA Postal Leagues

SCAA Frostbite Rules

Scoring and Records

  • Scoring: 10-zone (10 down to 1)

  • Arrows: 36 (6 ends of 6)

  • Distance: 30 metres

  • Target face: 80 cm diameter

Achieving a perfect score of 360 is rare.

The Spirit of the Round

The Frostbite Round is about community, resilience, and keeping skills sharp during the winter months:

  • The program encourages archers to continue shooting outdoors, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

  • The activity fosters club friendships and social interaction.

  • Accessible to archers of all abilities, making it ideal for newcomers as well as seasoned archers.

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