Portsmouth Round Guide
The Portsmouth is a classic British indoor round - 60 arrows at 20 yards on a 60cm target face. One of the most popular formats for all levels, particularly known for being longbow and barebow friendly.
Distance
20 yards (18.29m)
Target Face
60cm (5-zone or 10-zone face)
Arrows
60 arrows (10 ends of 6)
Suitable For
Recurve, Compound, Barebow, Longbow
The Portsmouth round is one of Britain's oldest and most beloved indoor archery formats. Shot at 20 yards (18.29 metres) on a 60cm target face, it is slightly longer and uses a larger face than the WA18 - making it particularly popular with longbow archers and those who prefer a bigger aiming point.
The 60cm face is available in both 5-zone (scoring 9, 7, 5, 3, 1) and 10-zone (1–10) configurations. Many clubs and competitions use the 10-zone face for more granular scoring, but some traditional events retain the 5-zone.
Because the Portsmouth is a British domestic round (not a World Archery standard), it appears at club nights and local competitions more frequently than anywhere else. It is an excellent second competition for anyone who has already shot a WA18.
Longbow and barebow archers particularly enjoy the Portsmouth because the 60cm face is easier to see clearly, and the slightly shorter distance reduces the gap between bow types. You will often see a wonderfully mixed field at a Portsmouth shoot.
- 1The 60cm face is bigger than the WA18's 40cm - this usually means beginners score better on their first Portsmouth than their first WA18.
- 2Check which scoring system is being used (5-zone or 10-zone) before you arrive - it affects your scoring strategy.
- 3Longbow archers: you are very welcome at Portsmouth events, and you will have your own category.
- 4Warm up properly - 20 yards in an indoor hall can feel different to your usual outdoor practice.
- 5Focus on your routine, not your score. Consistency builds scores.
Is the Portsmouth harder than the WA18?
Not necessarily. The target is larger (60cm vs 40cm) but the distance is slightly longer (20 yards vs 18m). Most archers find them comparable in difficulty, though form archers often prefer the WA18 and traditional archers often prefer the Portsmouth.
Can I shoot the Portsmouth with a longbow?
Yes - the Portsmouth is one of the most longbow-friendly indoor rounds. Most events have a longbow category with its own results.
What is a good Portsmouth score?
On the 10-zone face, 400 out of 600 is a reasonable club-level score. 500+ is a strong performance. Top compound archers regularly score 580–600.
Other guides
WA18 Indoor Round Guide
The WA18 is the most popular indoor archery competition format - shot at 18 metres on a 40cm target face. Suitable for all bowstyles and all levels from novice upwards.
Your First Competition: A Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know before entering your first archery competition - what to expect, what to bring, how scoring works, and how to choose the right event.
WA70 Outdoor Round Guide
The WA70 is the standard outdoor recurve round - 72 arrows at 70 metres on a 122cm target face. The Olympic distance, used at club, national and international level throughout the outdoor season.