Worcester vs FITA 18

[steve58]

This came up in another thread and I am interested in what people think and their reasoning.

Worcester and FITA 18, both 20 yards/18m so same distance or near enough.

Both shot on 40cm faces.

Same number of arrows.

Fita has the same target face we are used to for almost every other round, the black/white Worcester face is distractingly (?) different, but perhaps this is overcome with practice?

FITA 18 is 3 arrow ends, Worcester 5, what are the pros and cons?

A mistake that would cost a point on a FITA 18 (10/9, 8/7 etc) would go unpenalised on a Worcester.

Halfway through the Worcester you have to switch from the top to bottom face or vice versa.

So, which is the harder round in your opinion and why?

[AndyJ]

I've only ever shot a Worcester once, I quite liked the fact that after shooting at the top face, I swapped over to the bottom, which I think limits any potential gain an archer may feel from shooting at a constant spot

[aim-for-the-yellow-bit]

I think the Fita 18m is the more difficult.
Mainly because the ten is so bloody tiny (For compounds). The white of a Worcester stands out much more & is the size of a bin lid in comparrison.
If you have a bit of a twitch during a Worcester, you can probably still scrape a 4 or even a 5. If the same thing happens during the Fita, you'll be lucky to get an 8.

[Andy]

Here are my PBs
Five spot Worcester 299
3 spot 18M FITA 555

The Worcester is easier to get closer to the maximum score (nursey has done it on a five spot ), but the pressure on the last few arrows is immense. But my 18M FITA score is nowhere near as good.

So I voted 18M is harder.

Andy

[GuardianAngel]

I have just shot a triple Worcester at Arundown, and according to my handicap, I should max it out, but I can never quite get there. I shot 298, 296 and 298 for all three sessions.

It is a huge area but that adds to the pressure. I really should *not* miss, but this causes tension that can kick one or two just out. I find the anxiety levels lower for FITA 18's than a Worcester, because I don't expect to hit the 10 each time and therefore am more relaxed.

The trouble with Worcesters is the 5 arrows. I always shoot carbons but always end up with smashed nocks. On Sunday I was running on vapours! I don't understand those that shoot large alloys from compounds, because this causes deflections and smashed arrows.

[Neo]

Only shot one Worcester and scored 300.

Been shooting fita 18's with compound for 2 + yrs and 578 is my max. The 10 ring is just so blummin small.

FITA 18 = solid.

[Big.Dave]

The Worcester round is a Micky Mouse round that should be Ditched for somthing that tests archers and pushes them to shoot better

[grimsby archer]

Obviously the fita 18 is easier as each arrow can score 10 points whereas the worcester arrow can only score 5.

Oh, hang on though, you get to shoot 5 arrows at a time in the worcester but only 3 in the fita.

Nope, right first time. I got the calculator out. It still works out at 25 points in the worcester and 30 points in the fita, so i was right, the fita is easier

[Neo]

Originally Posted by Big.Dave

The Worcester round is a Micky Mouse round that should be Ditched for somthing that tests archers and pushes them to shoot better

If its such a micky mouse round then why have some counties still not got archers shooting 300's.

As I just said in another post. It may be easy to hit the white spot but do keep the pressure on your competition and hit it 60 times without 1 flinch and 20 or 30 people watching your last 5 arrows when you on for the 300 with club members talking behind you with binos.

Mental game!

Originally Posted by grimsby archer

Obviously the fita 18 is easier as each arrow can score 10 points whereas the worcester arrow can only score 5.

Oh, hang on though, you get to shoot 5 arrows at a time in the worcester but only 3 in the fita.

Nope, right first time. I got the calculator out. It still works out at 25 points in the worcester and 30 points in the fita, so i was right, the fita is easier

False premise...the maximum scoring zone for both recurve and compound is twice the size on a worcester...so 25 points per end is that much more achievable. A FITA is definitely a greater test of skill, and the high contrast target face of a Worcester goes a long way to focusing the mind on the middle.

[Anna K]

Well obviously the Worcester is easier to get the maximum score (especially for compound), and although I think it's a great round I wouldn't choose to shoot it due to arrow breakages.

[GuardianAngel]

Also its a nice break from the norm in target archery, something different.

[andrew.paterson]

I do think the FITA is harder, but still enjoy the Worcester.

For the people that think the Worcester round should be ditched because it is 'easy' I have a few points to note:

At the 8 Worcesters I have taken part in I have only seen 2 people (both compounds) get a 300. The pressure in that last few ends can be huge with archers knowing that just one mistake cannot be recovered from.

For lesser archers it can be a confidence building round.

I know it is all well and good saying archers should be pushed to strive to get better, but sometimes it is good to have a lesser round to shoot at.

If we applied the 'easy rounds are bad and should be banned principle' then outdoors gents should only shoot the York and FITA, and ladies the Hereford and FITA.

If you are that good and don't want to shoot it don't. Every Worcester I have shot at has been full, so you won't be missed.

[Klunk]

I have never shot a Fita 18, we normally shoot Portsmouth and Bray rounds indoors. I have shot a couple of Worcester rounds and I actually like it.

A while ago I never had much time to shoot so would opt for a Bray round. I got very good at shooting 2.5 dozen arrows but give me 5 dozen on a Portsmouth and I would fatigue and drop points terrible by the time I got the the 5th Dozen. Shooting a Worcester gives me the time of a Bray shoot but 5 dozen arrows. I eliminate the fatigue issue and can shoot a longer round when I have the time. I never find fatigue a problem once we go outside, even shooting an Albion, because there is longer recovery time between ends.

The other advantage is that you get used to shooting at different levels in a round. Like most archers I hate shooting at teh borrom face but practicing a worcester helps me get used to that aspect.

Just because you have a bigger area to aim at so you score can be higher, you should still be aiming to hit the centre. The bigger area can cause archers to be slapdash and sloppy in their aim and preparation with a larger area to hit. Remember its not the score that's important but the grouping, so you should still be aiming for tight groups, IMO.

[Big.Dave]

Originally Posted by Neo

If its such a micky mouse round then why have some counties still not got archers shooting 300's.

As I just said in another post. It may be easy to hit the white spot but do keep the pressure on your competition and hit it 60 times without 1 flinch and 20 or 30 people watching your last 5 arrows when you on for the 300 with club members talking behind you with binos.

Mental game!

It is a Micky Mouse round for serious competition. and for the few counties that have not shot 300 obviously they haven't good enough archers yet!! it's only a matter of time.

And if you are worrying about shooting 5 arrows at a time what are you going to do outside when you have to shoot 6 arrows at a time?? come on you have just pointed out issues that you have and only you can over come them We all have to deal with the same problems as you I've have the tools to deal with them do you?