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

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

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

• Each player should report with Bow & quiver during the rollcall time in the morning. Non-compliance will lead to the penalization of the specific player by not allowing his participation in the game. If more than two players are involved then the penalty of deduction of one point for each player will 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.

• If more than two players are involved thereby leaving the team with less than 11 players, in order to enable the game to continue, the players may be allowed to play after deduction of 3 (three) points for each player that reenters the game.

• Sa –Karey: If the hit is on the ground with its arrow points (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 stems(s) of grass with root, over the arrow or arrow point (dacha), then it is determined as Sa-Karey. To determine Sa-Karey, the referee/ Thrimpon will left 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 traditional system of “Chu-mipi Zam” will be adopted.

• “Zhechha – Gam”: if there is a direct hit on the target and 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 slips 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”.

• 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, the penalty shall be imposed as per the BAF rules and if Dhar is not found, Penalty of 3 points deduction shall be imposed on the opponent team.

• In accordance with the existing norms :

• Only traditional type of finger tabs (Zushoob) will be allowed during the tournaments.

• The use of both white and black bowstring imported for compound equipment shall be allowed (as per Team Captain’s meeting on 22 September 2004 and further on 24 March 2005).

• Only traditional type of arm guard (Lem Jha) will be allowed during the tournament.

• During the Team Captains meeting of June 14, 2000, it was discussed and agreed that “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, then the Thrimpon can allow extra 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 everybody’s attention are as follows:

• Reporting time at the specified area by 7.30 AM positively failing which the team will be dealt as per BAF rules

• Entering of the Archery court by 7.45 AM and start shooting by 8:00 AM

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

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

• Incase both the archery ranges are being used at a time, then the team captain will toss for the target range first and then toss for the target end before entering the target range.

• Teams whose games are being continued will toss for the target end every day.

• All players should wear the national dress during the play.

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

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

• Players’ will not be allowed to wear half socks. However, half socks can be used over the long socks.

• All players must be on either side of the BACHO and only the archer who is to shoot will step on the BACHO.

• Only archers to enter the archery court.

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

• NO abusive language will be permitted during the play.

• Only one DACHAM is permitted per KAREY.

• No archer will be allowed to keep their arrows in front of the target.

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

Thrimpons have the right to ban and disqualify players who do not adhere to the Bhutan Archery Federation Rules & Regulations.

It is prohibited to carry out:

• Nem-sey-Phangsum

• Charthap/Dipthap

• Drachen Koney & Shooting of Drachen Arrows.

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

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

• Engagement in above prohibitions by any team or players will lead to disqualification of the teams for certain years and fined with certain amounts of cash as per rules.

Any dispute requiring beyond the powers of Thrimpon will be referred to Executive Committee whose decision shall be final.

As the management of the National Archery Tournaments are handled by the office bearers of the Bhutan Archery Federation who include officials from the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, Thrimpon for the matches between Zhabtog Lhenkhag and any other team will be performed by one of the Vice Presidents of the Bhutan Archery Federation to avoid complaints in case of any disputes.