Few notable rules that have been amended and incorporated are as follows:

• During the tournament, the team arriving first in the reporting area on the day of the tournament as specified by the BAF will collectively stay in one area and will not scatter around the area. Non-compliance of this rule will attract a penalty of deduction of 3 (three) points.

• Any team failing to report on time as specified by the BAF will be penalized by the deduction of 1 (one) point for absence of one player. However, if a player is unable to attend because of unavoidable circumstances, the team captain shall inform BAF in writing prior to the rollcall. Further, those players who could not attend the rollcall shall not be permitted to enter the Archery range for that specific day.

• Each player shall report with Bow & quiver for the rollcall in the morning. If one or more players are without bow and quiver, then the penalty of deduction of 1 (one) point for each player shall be made.

• No player shall be allowed to move beyond the archery range after the rollcall. In cases of emergencies, the team caption will inform the Thrimpon (Referee) of the game who in turn will assess the authenticity of the case and allow the player to leave the range. If any player leaves the ground without permission, he shall not be allowed to reenter the ground. Non-compliance of this rule will lead to penalty of 1 (one) point deduction and in no case shall he be allowed to participate in the game for that day.

• Sa-Karey : If the hit is on the ground with its arrow point (dacha) firmly in the target OR if the hit is over the ground with soil on top and around the arrow point (dacha) or arrow OR if the hit is over the ground with stem(s) of grass with root over the arrow or arrow point (dacha), then it shall be considered as Sa-Karey. To determine Sa-Karey, the Thrimpon (Referee) shall lift the target vertically off the ground and if the arrow remains firmly on the target then one (1) point will be awarded. Sa-Karey will be eligible for “Dhar” during the final match.

• “Daya” will be measured by an arrow. However, in case of dispute, the traditional system of “Chu-mipi zam” will be adopted.

• “Zhechha-Gam”: If there is a direct hit on the target but the arrow does not rest or stay on the target it is referred to as “Zhechha-Gam” for which only one (1) point will be awarded. When the arrow slip off the ground on any material in the Bacho and hits the target but does not rest or stay on the target then it cannot be considered as “Zhechha-Gam” and no points will be awarded.

• No player shall carry any sort of Dhar during the match. If a player is suspected of carrying Dhar by the opponent team and if full proof is provided, then the particular player shall be checked by the Thrimpon. If Dhar is found, penalty shall be imposed by deduction of 3 (three) points from the offending player’s team. If, however, no Dhar is found, then the team laying the charges shall be penalized by deduction of 3 (three) points.

• In accordance to the existing norms no player shall be allowed to use the following gadgets:

• Sight

• Trigger release

• Stabilizer

• Any archer with the habit of drawing bows sideways or downwards to the ground will not be allowed to participate in the tournament for the safety of the spectators and fellow archers.

• As decided during the Team Captains’ Meeting of June 14, 2000, in the event the Thrimpon feels that the match can be decided on the 2 nd day and provided that the likely winning team’s score is over 20 points, the Thrimpon may allow additional time of two rounds to finish the match. This will save time, complications and discourage continuing the game on the 3 rd day.

• In order to preserve and promote traditional Dacham style and to present a pleasing and graceful appearance to the spectators, the practice of kicking the right leg to the target or throwing it into the air in front while performing Dacham shall not be permitted. While performing Dacham at the Karey end, the right leg shall swing to the front towards the target but shall then be placed firmly on the ground.

• As decided during the Executive Committee meeting on 19 May 2005, the following rules are incorporated to discourage physical violence in the archery ground:

• Any object that can be used as a weapon, other than the archer’s equipment, will not be permitted in the archery field. Violation of this rule shall result in expulsion of the concerned player for the duration of the game.

• Any archer involved in physical violence shall be immediately banned from taking further part in the tournament. The case shall be referred to the Executive Committee of the BAF who may, depending on the severity of the case, impose further bans/penalties. The concerned Team Captains shall also be liable for penalties on a case-by-case basis.

• As decided during the Executive Committee meeting on 5 May 2006, all teams may field up to 15 archers (11 players + 4 spares) and no substitutions/change will be allowed on any ground whatsoever after registration of teams.

• As decided during the Team Captains’ meeting on 31 May 2006, during the course of play, if the number of archers in a team on the field drops to below 11, that team will be disqualified and a walkover awarded to the opponent team, unless the reason is due to archery related injury in which case the team will be permitted to recall a substitute but only from the registered list.

The other important rules that require the attention of all archers are as follow:

• Reporting time at the specified area by 7:30 AM positively failing which the teams will be dealt with as per BAF rules.

• Entering of the Archery court by 7:45 AM and start of shooting by 8:00AM.

• Lunch time from 12:00(noon) to 1:00 PM and resumption of match at 1:00 PM. In case the round of shooting has commenced but is incomplete at 12 noon the play shall continue till such time all the participants of both teams have completed shooting.

• Ending of the match for the day at 6:00PM and in the event that the match remains undecided at 6:00PM (in case of round of shooting has commenced but incomplete at that time) the play for the day shall continue till such time all the participants of both teams have completed shooting. The undecided match will continue on the next day.

• In case both the archery ranges are being used on a given day, the team captains shall toss for the target range first and then for the target end before entering the target range.

• Teams whose games are being continued over the second or third days shall toss for the target end every day.

• All players shall wear the national dress during play.

• No player shall wear any sort of cap, hat or headwear.

• Players shall not be allowed to use umbrella in the target range.

• Players shall not be allowed to wear half socks. However, half socks can be worn over the long socks.

• All players shall stand on either side of the Bacho and only the archer who is to shoot shall enter the Bacho.

• Quarrelling & violence in the archery court is strictly prohibited.

• No abusive languages will be permitted during the play.

• Only one Dacham is permitted per Karey.

• No archer shall be allowed to keep his arrows in front of the target.

• Violation of above norms will attract a penalty of deduction of 1 (one) point from the score.

It is prohibited to carry out:

• Nem-sey-Phangsum

• Charthap/Dipthap

• Drachen Koney & shooting of Drachen Arrows.

• Any sort of distraction through physical contact or obstructing the target once the archer is prepared to shoot.

• Bringing any religious items (images, flags, Tsendha, etc.) to the archery ground or around the ground by team or individual players.

• Engagement in the above prohibited practices by any team or player will lead to disqualification of the team for certain years and fined with certain amounts of cash as deemed appropriate by the Federation.

The Thrimpons shall have the right to ban and disqualify players who do not adhere to the Bhutan Archery Federation Rules & Regulations. Any dispute that cannot be resolved by the Thrimpons shall be referred to the Hon’ble President, Bhutan Archery Federation, whose decision shall be final and binding on all concerned.

As the management of the National Archery Tournaments are handled by the office bearers of the Bhutan Archery Federation who are mainly officials of the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, the role of Thrimpon for the matches between MoWHS and its opponent teams shall be performed by a Federation official who is not from the MoWHS to avoid complaints in case of any disputes.