What is a Robin Hood in archery?
A Robin Hood in archery is a shot that drives an arrow into the nock end of an arrow already in the target, leaving the two joined. It can split or telescope the struck shaft. Two shots have arrived in nearly the same place, and you will need to inspect both arrows before either returns to the shooting line.
How it happens and how rare it is
The incoming point hits close to the center of the first arrow's nock, breaks or displaces it, and enters the shaft behind it. Many rear impacts only break a nock or deflect the incoming arrow. A full Robin Hood leaves the second arrow embedded.
You cannot assign one reliable set of odds to every Robin Hood. The chance depends on group size, shaft diameter, nock design, distance, and how many arrows you shoot at one spot. Tight groups create more opportunities for collisions, especially when several arrows remain around the same aiming point.
A Robin Hood can happen outside the middle of the target. It tells you the arrows nearly overlapped, while grouping over many ends tells you more about repeatability. A single collision does not establish how consistently you can hit the center.
How a Robin Hood is scored
Under World Archery target rules, an arrow that hits another arrow in the nock and remains embedded takes the value of the struck arrow. If the first arrow scores 9, the embedded arrow also scores 9, subject to any other applicable penalties.
If the second arrow deflects and lands elsewhere in the target, World Archery scores it where it lies. If it hits another arrow and rebounds, World Archery awards the struck arrow's value when the damaged arrow can be identified. Call a judge when the result is unclear, and leave the arrows untouched until scoring is complete.
Check your event's rules, especially on multiple-spot faces. Restrictions on more than one arrow in a spot can still affect the end. The embedded-arrow rule does not cancel those restrictions. The archery scoring guide explains ordinary arrow values and score recording.
Damage, replacement, and prevention
After scoring, remove both arrows from use. The struck shaft may have a split nock end, and the incoming arrow can have point or shaft damage. Keep your hands clear of exposed carbon fibers or sharp metal. Do not force the arrows apart just to see whether either still looks straight.
Follow the arrow manufacturer's inspection procedure and have a qualified shop assess uncertain damage. Replace damaged shafts and components. A fresh nock cannot repair a cracked shaft, and you should not shoot a damaged arrow to test whether it holds together.
The cost can include both arrows, replacement components, and rebuilding time. To reduce repeat collisions in practice, use separate aiming spots or shoot fewer arrows at each spot. A Vegas 3-spot face gives each arrow its own center. Suitable nock pins or bushings can reduce some rear-impact damage, but they cannot make arrows collision-proof.
Questions
Does a Robin Hood count as a bullseye?
Only if the struck arrow is in the relevant center scoring zone. Under World Archery target rules, the embedded arrow takes the value of the arrow it hit. A Robin Hood into an arrow in the 8-ring is still an 8, subject to the event's other scoring rules.
Can I shoot the arrows again after separating them?
Do not put them straight back in the quiver. Both arrows need inspection under the manufacturer's guidance, including the nock end, point attachment, and shaft. Any cracked, split, bent, or otherwise damaged shaft must be retired. If damage is uncertain, keep the arrow out of use pending qualified assessment.
Is a broken nock always a Robin Hood?
A broken nock can come from a glancing impact without the second arrow embedding in the shaft. Archers commonly reserve Robin Hood for the joined-arrow result. Either impact calls for inspection: the nock may be the most visible damage while the shaft or a nock pin also needs replacement.