Your first Archery Tag session: what should you expect?
Published on 1 September 2026 by the Tag Brussels team
A first Archery Tag session at Tag Brussels lasts 2 hours: check-in and gear, a safety briefing, an archery initiation of about ten minutes, then 5 to 8 rounds of 15 to 20 minutes across varied scenarios. No experience is needed and anyone can play from age 8. Here is what awaits you, told by the instructors who welcome first-timers every week on our 5-hectare forest field in Bierges (Wavre), 15 minutes from Brussels.
How does your first session unfold, from arrival to the last round?
You book a 2-hour slot, with sessions starting every hour from 9 am to 6 pm, 7 days a week. Arrive a little early: check-in and gear distribution happen before your playing time, which stays fully intact. And here is a reassuring detail for a first try: the Archery Tag field is reserved for your group, with no strangers mixed in. You will find every package and its per-player price on our prices page.
Here are the main stages of a first session, the way our instructors run them week after week:
| Stage | What awaits you |
|---|---|
| Check-in and gear | Bow, arrows and full-face mask are handed out before playing time starts |
| Safety briefing | Our instructors explain the golden rules and answer every question |
| Archery initiation | Stance, nocking, aiming, release: within about ten minutes, everyone hits a first target |
| The rounds | 5 to 8 rounds of 15 to 20 minutes, switching scenarios as you go (3 or 4 per session) |
| The breaks | Catch your breath, gather arrows, and teams are rebalanced before every round |
What if archery is completely new to you?
That is true of most first-timers, and it is no problem at all: Archery Tag is not precision target shooting, it is a team game where you run more than you aim. The bows are deliberately limited to about 12 kg of draw weight, so they are easy to pull, and children get even softer models. The initiation at the start of the session does the rest.
First-time nerves are something our instructors see at every briefing, and they vanish with the first sprint for the arrows. They stay on the field from start to finish: they referee, step in when needed and adjust the intensity to the group.
What does your very first round look like?
By default, everything starts with the most straightforward scenario: classic elimination. Two teams of 5 to 8 players face off on either side of a neutral zone where the arrows are laid out. At the signal, everyone sprints to grab as many as possible, then darts for cover behind the trees. An arrow that hits you square on takes you out, but a teammate catching one mid-air puts you back in the game: you are never out for long.
Remember the rule that wins games for beginners: an arrow on the ground belongs to the quickest hand, even in the neutral zone. Before you come, our article on the rules of Archery Tag covers every situation, and the one on Archery Tag scenarios shows how the rounds grow more complex as the session goes on.
Does it hurt, and do you need to be athletic?
No, and that is the first thing our instructors tell hesitant players: the arrows carry a wide soft rubber tip about 5 cm across that spreads the impact, and all you feel is a brief push, with no sting and no bruise. The arrows are also slow enough to spot and dodge, which turns every duel into a game of evasion. Want to reassure someone? Have them read our article does Archery Tag hurt?
As for fitness, there are no requirements: the pace adapts to the group, the breaks let you recover, and lighter builds are actually the hardest to hit. The main real risk is a twisted ankle while running, which is why good shoes matter. Pregnant? Playing is not recommended, but accompanying the group at the edge of the field is perfectly fine.
What should you wear and bring?
Almost nothing: all the playing gear is supplied and included in the package, from the bow to the full-face mask. The only thing that depends on you: closed shoes with good support, trainers or walking shoes, because you will be running for 2 hours. Glasses? The mask goes on over most frames, just mention them at reception. For season-by-season details, see our guide on what to wear for Archery Tag and paintball.
Five beginner tips straight from our instructors
Five tips come back at every briefing for new players:
- Keep moving: a standing player is an easy target, while an incoming arrow can be seen and dodged.
- Play with the trees: the terrain and natural cover are your best allies, move from shelter to shelter.
- Think ammunition: scoop up an arrow every time you change cover and you will never run dry.
- Try the mid-air catch: the risky move that brings an eliminated teammate back.
- Respect the 5 to 7 metres: at close range you do not shoot, you ask your opponent to surrender, and our instructors make sure of it.
Ready for your first game?
An all-inclusive package from €35 per player, instant online confirmation: all that is missing is your group.
Book my first sessionFrequently asked questions before a first game
How much does a first Archery Tag session cost?
The BASIC package costs €35 per player for 2 hours of play, with gear, supervision and hosting included, no extras. The package starts from a minimum of 10 players, with prices dropping from 15 players. A €100 deposit paid online locks in your slot for good, and the balance is settled on site on the day.
How many players do you need to book?
The package is designed for 10 players, but 8 or 9 participants can still book: you pay the equivalent of 10 and the field is entirely yours. Games flow best with 10 to 16 players, and an odd number is no issue at all.
What if it rains on the day of your first game?
We play, rain is part of the game: the tree canopy blocks a good share of the showers. Only genuinely dangerous conditions, thunderstorms, gales or icy roads, will move the session, and in that case it is rescheduled free of charge to another slot.
From what age can a child play a first game?
From age 8, with softer bows. The pace of the rounds adapts to the group, from the youngest players to grandparents. The limit sits at 8 because a child needs to draw the bow and follow the game: for a 7-year-old, give us a call and we will look at it together.
Can you book a first game at the last minute?
Yes: online booking stays open until 18 hours before your slot, with instant confirmation. Sessions start every hour from 9 am to 6 pm, 7 days a week. For groups of more than 20 people, aim for 1 to 2 weeks ahead instead, especially for a Friday.