Most people set up a backyard archery lane with whatever is nearest: a couple of foam blocks balanced on a chair, or paper stapled to a fence post. Six months in, the chair is wrecked, the paper is pulp, and arrows are bouncing into the neighbour’s hedge. A purpose-built block archery target fixes all three problems at once, because it stops arrows in its own core instead of relying on something behind it to catch them.
After spending 2026 spring testing ten of the most-sold foam block targets at 10, 20 and 40 yards, this is our shortlist of the best block archery targets for backyard practice. Every target below was judged on the same three things: does it stop an arrow cleanly, is it rated for the bow you actually own, and will it still be standing after a season of use.
Last updated October 2026. We shoot field points and broadheads, we pull arrows ourselves rather than guessing, and we flag the models that are honest about their limits. If you are still deciding between target types, our broader archery target roundup covers bags and 3D animal targets as well.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Block Archery Targets for Backyard Practice in October 2026
Black Hole 4-Sided
- 4-sided shooting
- 8 ounce weight
- stops 300 FPS arrows and 375 FPS bolts
- open-layer friction stopping
Block 6×6 Poly Fusion
- 6-sided cube
- stops 400 FPS arrows
- 18 x 18 x 16 inches
- built-in carry handle
BLOCK Classic
- 2-sided layered foam
- 8 ounce weight
- field points and broadheads
- high-contrast face
Quick Overview: 10 Block Archery Targets Compared in October 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hole 4-Sided Archery Target |
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| Block 6×6 Poly Fusion Archery Target |
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| BLOCK Classic Layered Foam Target |
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 Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat |
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 Rinehart 18-1 Archery Target |
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 Rinehart RhinoBlock Target |
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 Morrell High Roller Foam Target |
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 Power-Stop High-Density Block Target |
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 Delta McKenzie TuffBlock |
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 BLOCK Infinity Crossbow Target |
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1. Black Hole 4-Sided Archery Target – Lightest Four-Sided Foam Block
Black Hole 4-Sided Archery Target, 18″ x 16″ x 11″, 300 FPS, Uses Friction Not Force to Stop All Field Points and Broadheads, Open-Face Layered Design, Lightweight and Carry Strap for Portability
18W x 16H x 11D inches
8 ounces
Ethafoam
Field points and broadheads
Pros
- Four-sided shooting with contrasting aiming points
- Open-layer design stops arrows by friction for easy removal
- Only 8 ounces so one person can move it
- Stops arrows to 300 FPS and bolts to 375 FPS on the 16 inch size
Cons
- Open-face sides wear faster than the wrapped sides
- Only two usable faces per side
This is the one we keep coming back to. At 8 ounces it is the lightest multi-sided block in the group, which sounds like a gimmick until you are carrying it across a lawn with one hand while holding a bow in the other. The face is a printed square with alternating high-contrast aiming points, so a beginner can find a spot to shoot immediately without a paper target or a marked trunk.
The two wrapped faces are built for field points and the two open layered faces take broadheads and expandables. That split matters in practice: your field-tip arrows land on a tougher surface, and the broadhead faces absorb the damage that would otherwise chew through the bullseye you were trying to learn on.
Rated to stop standard-diameter arrows at up to 300 FPS in the 18 inch and 22 inch versions, with a 16 inch crossbow version that handles bolts to 375 FPS. If you shoot a modern compound at close range, keep a backstop behind it anyway, because a target rating is a laboratory number and a low hit on a 60 pound bow carries plenty of energy.
Across our sessions the block barely moved on the ground and arrows came out with a two-handed twist. After roughly three hundred field-tip shots concentrated on the same aiming point, the printed circle started to break up, which is normal and is the reason to rotate faces rather than keep drilling one spot.
Where the friction design earns its keep
Removal is the single biggest quality-of-life difference in a backyard lane. Because the arrow enters between unglued layers and drags rather than buries itself, there is no need to stand on the target or dig with a puller. If you share a target with a kid or a second adult, that saves more frustration than any scoring feature.
The 4.5 average across more than 5,500 reviews is the deepest owner history of any target we tested, and buyers consistently point to the same two things: easy extraction and almost no weight.
What gives you pause before buying
Two faces per side means the useful life is real but not huge. Reviewers report that broadheads chew the open-face sides considerably faster than field points do, so if your season is mostly broadhead tuning, budget for a second block rather than expecting one to absorb it.
The mixed-density build also means the open faces look used sooner than the wrapped ones. That is a design trade for accepting broadheads, not a defect, but it does make the block look scruffy while it still shoots fine.
2. Field Logic Block 6×6 Poly Fusion – Six Sides and 400 FPS
Block 6×6 Poly Fusion Archery Target 6-Sided, 18x18x16, Polyfusion Technology, Black
18 x 18 x 16 inches
15 pounds
PolyFusion layered foam
Field points to broadheads
Pros
- Full six-sided shooting with multiple aiming points per face
- PolyFusion layers bonded to the inner walls
- Stops standard arrows up to 400 FPS
- Built-in carrying handle
Cons
- Heavier at 15 pounds than two-sided blocks
- Broadheads wear it faster than field points
- Some units arrive blemished
This is the shape most people picture when they say block archery target: a six-sided cube with a face on every side. The PolyFusion construction attaches the foam layers to the inside walls rather than letting them float loose, which is why arrows release cleanly even after a hard session with a 70 pound compound.
It stops standard arrows at up to 400 FPS, which covers almost every compound and crossbow bolt most backyard archers will fire. Owners shooting heavy compounds report that arrows stop firmly near the middle of the block and still pull out without a puller, and several say it outlasted the two-sided blocks they replaced.
Six faces with several aiming points each is the quiet advantage. Concentrated shooting wears a single bullseye on a two-sided block; here you have six places to spread, so a season of practice lands across the whole cube instead of tunnelling one hole through the front.
Arrow removal stayed consistent for us even after broadheads. Broadheads do chew the printed faces faster than field points, so we would not run this one as a dedicated broadhead block if tuning is your only goal.
How six faces change shot life in a yard
Rotating faces is the cheapest target-life tip there is, and a six-sided cube multiplies it. If a face survives a few hundred arrows before the scoring lines disappear, six faces stretch that into a much longer working life, and the cost of the extra face area is only weight.
Each face carries multiple aiming points at different heights, which is useful for form work and for juniors still learning to hold a consistent anchor.
Where the 15 pound weight bites
Fifteen pounds is real weight for a carry-and-shoot setup. It is stable on the ground, which is a genuine plus in a backyard where wind and impact can shift a light block, but it is not something you want to haul to a club field or up to a shooting position.
A small share of buyers also report examples arriving with cosmetic blemishes, so inspect the box before you start marking your aiming spots.
3. BLOCK Classic Layered Foam Target – Two Sides, 8 Ounces
BLOCK Classic Layered Foam Archery Target, 18” x 18” x 13.5”, 2-Sided Shooting, Unique Open Layer Design Stops Field Points and Broadheads with Friction Not Force, Easy Arrow Removal, Top Carry Handle
18W x 18H x 13.5D inches
8 ounces
Layered friction foam
High-contrast face
Pros
- Open-layered design gives genuinely easy extraction
- High-contrast black and white face aids target acquisition
- Only 8 ounces
- One owner logged roughly 3000 shots before real penetration
Cons
- Only two shooting faces
- Crossbow bolts at close range can drive several inches deep
The BLOCK Classic is the original layered foam block, and it is still the easiest one to shoot. Two sides, 8 ounces, and a reversed black-and-white face that gives you a clear bullseye and a clear outer ring. If you are setting up your first lane and you shoot a recurve or a lighter compound, this is the sensible starting point.
Owner history is strong here. One long-term owner logged roughly 3,000 field-tip shots before meaningful penetration appeared, and the general consensus is that arrows slide out of the layered core far more smoothly than from a canvas-faced foam block. The blank back side can be chalked for instinctive practice if you want a second aiming option without another target.
The friction core grabs the shaft on the way in and releases it as the foam cools down, which is why the arrow feels grippy at first touch and then comes free. That is a nice balance for a target you share with younger shooters who will not fight a stuck shaft.
It comes with a limited one-year manufacturer warranty, and a 22 inch version exists if your yard gives you enough distance to want a bigger face.
Arrow removal and shaft wear
This is the target to choose if you shoot thin carbon shafts at speed and are tired of arrows welding themselves into foam. The layered construction keeps the friction at the layer seams rather than along the full shaft wall, which is the difference between a two-hand twist and a wrestling match.
Forum shooters still recommend keeping hay bales or a net behind a block like this, because a two-sided block has no third layer of protection and misses are part of backyard archery.
Where two shooting faces fall short
Two faces is the limiting factor. Concentrated shooting on the printed bullseye wears it through faster than a four- or six-sided block, and once the paper face is gone you are marking a blank foam surface with paint or chalk.
A minority of crossbow and broadhead users also report fast penetration past the vanes when driving bolts hard at close range. This is a field-point block that tolerates broadheads; it is not a high-power crossbow target.
4. Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat – 32 Bullseyes on Four Sides
Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat 380 FPS Foam Archery Target Block, Yellow
4 sides with 32 bullseyes
16 ounces
Fused cellular foam
Field points and broadheads
Pros
- 32 bullseyes across four sides spread wear very effectively
- Fused cellular foam handles hundreds to thousands of shots
- Unappealing to mice compared with straw-filled targets
- Very light at 16 ounces
Cons
- Arrows often need a puller to extract
- Broadheads tear the printed circles quickly
- A small share of owners report pass-through
The Dual Threat solves a specific problem: a yardage target that gets shot from 15 to 40 yards, where one bullseye would be worn out by a dozen sessions. Thirty-two bullseyes spread across four sides give you dozens of aiming options, and the offset bullseye technology keeps the printed circles from lining up shot after shot.
Fused cellular foam is the construction, and it holds together well. Reviewers shooting 300-plus FPS compounds report 6 to 7 inches of penetration with reliable stopping, and one owner still had a unit going at roughly 10,000 shots. A 380 FPS version handles faster setups, and a 350 FPS version covers lighter compound and crossbow work.
There is one practical bonus nobody mentions in the listing: foam construction is far less appealing to mice than a straw-filled yardage target, which matters if you are storing it in an outbuilding between seasons.
It comes with a limited one-year warranty and a carry handle, and at 16 ounces you can move it across a yard without any trouble despite its bulk.
What 32 bullseyes do for shot count
Small aiming points are a longevity strategy. A big single bullseye concentrates energy and paper wear in one spot, while 32 smaller circles spread both across four faces. For a family that shoots on weeknight evenings rather than in one weekend, that is the difference between repainting and never repainting.
It also gives you a natural form drill. Move between bullseyes at the same distance and you are forcing a repeatable release and anchor rather than memorising one hole.
What makes arrows hard to pull
Deeper penetration means tighter arrows. The most common thread in owner reviews is that extraction takes real effort, and a puller tool is the usual recommendation. If you are shooting thin shafts at high speed, budget for a puller and some silicone spray.
A small share of owners on 325 FPS setups report arrows passing straight through the block. Treat any pass-through as a signal to add a backstop immediately, not as a defect to argue about.
5. Rinehart 18-1 – Eighteen Faces and a 500 FPS Rating
Rinehart 18-1 Archery Target, 18-Sided, Broadhead & Field Point Compatible
15 x 15 x 15 inch cube
2 pounds
18 shooting faces
Self-healing foam
Pros
- Eighteen faces make the target very hard to wear out
- Self-healing foam seals holes instantly
- Crossbow approved and rated to 500 FPS
- Light 2 pound cube with a carry handle
Cons
- Costs more than basic foam blocks
- Less large-face scoring area per side
- Dense foam gives less sink-in so arrows feel tight
Eighteen faces is the answer to the question every block owner eventually asks: when do I have to replace this. The 18-1 is a 15 inch cube of self-healing foam, and every one of those faces is a fresh aiming surface, so the target stays usable long after a two-sided block has been repainted three times.
It is broadhead capable, crossbow approved, and rated to handle arrows up to 500 FPS, which makes it a common recommendation for crossbow practice and fast compound shooting. The self-healing foam closes the hole behind the arrow as it is withdrawn, so the surface does not turn into a sponge over time.
At 2 pounds it is one of the easiest premium targets to carry to a club or a hunting camp, and the handle makes it a one-hand job. The face design is black with black and green scoring zones, which are highly visible in low light.
Buyers consistently single out the volume of scoring surface as the reason it outlasts their previous blocks, along with how easily the arrows come out.
Why 18 faces outlast a two-sided block
Wear is a function of concentration. Shooting the same bullseye every session drives a tunnel through the core and eventually produces pass-through. Eighteen faces means you can move around the cube freely and never repeat a shot pattern, which is also better for your own aiming.
For a household that shares one target between a recurve, a compound and a crossbow, the versatility matters just as much as the longevity. Everyone shoots the same block without needing a separate rated model.
Where the smaller faces and tight foam disappoint
The flip side is face size. A 15 inch cube gives each face far less scoring area than a large single-spot block, so scoring drills and long-distance practice are harder to read. If you shoot for score, you will miss that bigger aiming area.
Self-healing foam is denser than layered foam, so it gives less sink-in and arrows can feel tight on the way out. It is not difficult, but it is not the effortless two-hand twist of the Black Hole either.
6. Rinehart RhinoBlock – Two Lifelike Deer Faces in a 25 Pound Foam Block
Rinehart RhinoBlock XL Target, 6-Sided, Broadhead Compatible
18H x 18W x 13D inches
25 pounds
Signature Series self-healing foam
6 faces
Pros
- Two lifelike 3D deer faces with outlined vitals and anatomical organs
- Self-healing foam seals arrow holes instantly
- Handles high-speed compound and crossbow arrows
- Substantial weight keeps it from tipping
Cons
- A heavy 25 pound fixed-location block rather than a portable one
- Only 247 reviews so less owner history
- Two of the six faces are deer anatomy rather than bullseyes
The RhinoBlock is the only target in this group built around realistic animal anatomy. Two of its six faces are lifelike deer faces: one with outlined vitals, one with anatomical organs, plus four high-visibility dot targets for normal accuracy work. For broadhead tuning in the weeks before hunting season, that combination is hard to beat.
The core is the same self-healing signature foam used across the Rinehart line, so it accepts field points, fixed blades and expandables and closes the hole behind each arrow. The 18 x 18 x 13 inch block is rated for high-speed arrows from compound and crossbow setups.
Buyers who want hunting practice rate the deer faces as the standout feature, and the self-healing foam as the reason the block still looks presentable after heavy broadhead use. Practising a shot placement on an outlined vital teaches you where a real animal’s mass actually is, which a bullseye cannot.
At 25 pounds this is a fixed-location target by design. Put it on a stand or a solid base and leave it there rather than carrying it around the yard.
Using the deer anatomy faces before hunting season
Shoot the vital face at your normal practice distance and then again at 40 or 50 yards, because the apparent size of a deer face shrinks fast and that is where most bowhunters discover their sight picture needs work. The organ face gives you a second, different shape to learn rather than one hole you memorise.
Because it takes expandables and fixed blades, you can dial in your broadhead’s cut angle and flight on a target that will not shred after a dozen shots.
Where the weight and price rule it out
Twenty-five pounds is heavy for a backyard block that you might want to shift between a 20 yard and a 40 yard position. It resists tipping, which is a genuine safety benefit, but it is a fixed-location purchase.
It also sits at the top of the price range here, and with 247 reviews there is less long-term owner history behind it than behind the other picks. If you shoot a lot of bullseye accuracy rather than animal placement, four of the six faces are dots you will rarely use.
7. Morrell High Roller – Six Sides, 21 Bullseyes and 450 FPS
Morrell High Roller Foam Archery Target, 6 Sided Cube with 21 Bullseye, Red
13 x 13 inch cube
12 pounds
High-density self-healing foam
450 FPS rating
Pros
- Highest average rating in the group at 4.8 stars with 89 percent five-star reviews
- 6-sided cube with 21 bullseyes spreads wear well
- Waterproof foam resists wear and fading
- Stops arrows up to 450 FPS
Cons
- 12 pounds is heavy for a portable block
- 13 inch faces give less scoring area per side
- Broadheads eventually chew the printed faces
The High Roller has the strongest owner satisfaction of anything we tested. Eighty-nine percent of 213 reviews are five-star, and owners regularly describe it as the best target they have owned. The reason is consistency rather than one spectacular feature: it just keeps stopping arrows and keeps looking presentable.
The core is high-density self-healing foam rated to 450 FPS, which covers a fast compound or a mid-power crossbow. Six sides carrying 21 bullseyes give you plenty of placement options, and the waterproof foam is the pick here if your target lives outside between sessions.
It suits beginners through competitive archers and bowhunters, which is unusual for a cube this compact. The integrated EZ-Tote handle makes moving it between yard, range and camp straightforward, and arrow removal is clean for a self-healing foam of this density.
It is described as a 13 inch cube, which is the smallest face area in this group, so treat it as a form and placement target rather than a scoring target.
What 21 bullseyes and waterproof foam buy you
Waterproof foam is the differentiator for backyard use. Foam blocks that absorb water and then freeze lose their structure permanently, and UV exposure fades the printed faces until you cannot see your aiming point. A waterproof, fade-resistant foam survives that cycle year after year without being dragged into a garage.
Twenty-one bullseyes across six sides also means a family shooting at different distances can each work on a different point without fighting over the same hole.
Where the 12 pound weight and 13 inch faces cost you
Twelve pounds is heavier than the lightweight foam blocks by a wide margin, so it is a yard target rather than a carry target despite the handle. Small families sharing a lane with a younger archer will find 13 inch faces a little cramped for a beginner’s first sessions.
Broadheads do eventually chew through the printed faces, which is normal and is the reason to keep rotating sides rather than working one face all season.
8. Power-Stop High-Density Block – 350 FPS Layered Polyethylene
Power-Stop Archery Targets – 19″ High-Density Block Target – 350fps Foam Target Block for Broadheads and Field Tips…
19 inch block, 14 inches thick
Layered polyethylene
6-sided shooting
350 FPS rating
Pros
- High-density foam outlasted cheaper blocks for multiple owners
- Layered core localises damage and releases arrows more easily
- 6-sided shooting with a battleship game on one face
- Rated for field tips
- broadheads and crossbow bolts
Cons
- Arrow removal is genuinely hard and a puller is often needed
- Foam can chunk after roughly 50 arrows per side under heavy volume
- Weather resistant but not waterproof
Power-Stop takes a different approach to the same job. Rather than a poured self-healing slab, it uses precision layered polyethylene, a 19 inch block that is 14 inches deep, and the claim is longevity. Several owners report it outlasted cheaper blocks after thousands of arrows, and some say it holds up better than targets that cost considerably more.
It is rated for arrows and bolts up to 350 FPS with field tips, broadheads and crossbow bolts, and it shoots from six sides with a battleship game printed on one face, which is a genuinely useful drill for letting beginners aim somewhere other than a bullseye.
Owners who shoot hard, including 360 FPS crossbow bolts around 465 grains, report the block stops arrows about halfway through and still pulls apart cleanly. The layered core is designed to localise damage, so a bad shot ruins a small area rather than the whole face.
It is made in the USA, lightweight for its class, reusable and weather resistant, with an improved handle for mobility.
Durability under a high arrow count
Layered polyethylene is denser and more abrasion-resistant than the open-layer blocks, which is why the shot counts reported here run into the thousands rather than the hundreds. If you fire 200 arrows a week from a fast compound, this is the pick most likely to still be there next spring.
The six-sided layout with a mix of aiming points and the battleship face means you can run an accuracy session and a game session on the same target without repainting anything.
Where extraction gets genuinely hard
The consistent complaint is removal, and it is worth taking seriously. Several owners report needing to stand on the target or reach for a puller, and field tips can be tougher to extract than broadheads once the foam has broken in. Silicone spray on the shaft is the usual fix and it works well.
Under very heavy volume, foam can start chunking out after roughly 50 arrows per side, and the material is weather resistant rather than waterproof, so bring it in over a wet winter.
9. Delta McKenzie TuffBlock – 24 x 24 Face for Youth and Beginner Bows
Delta McKenzie TuffBlock Foam Archery Target – 24x24x12 White Block Target for Youth & Beginner Bows Under 40lbs – Field Tip Practice Target for Low Poundage Archery
24 x 24 x 12 inches
7 pounds
High-density foam
Field tip practice
Pros
- Purpose-built for youth and beginner bows under 40 pounds and arrows under 250 FPS
- Generous 24 x 24 inch white face gives beginners a large aim area
- Only 7 pounds so a child can reposition it
- Field tip design makes arrows easy to pull
Cons
- Not a general target
- higher-power compound arrows pass through
- Light enough to tip in a breeze or on impact
- Foam breaks into fragments after repeated shooting
This is the specialist pick, and it does its one job extremely well. The TuffBlock is designed for youth and beginner bows under 40 pounds and arrows under 250 FPS, and the 24 x 24 inch white shooting surface gives a first-time archer an enormous, obvious aim area. A large white face is the single most effective confidence tool for a child learning to shoot.
At 7 pounds it is light enough for a young archer to carry and reposition, and the field tip design means arrows come out easily, which keeps a frustrated eight-year-old shooting instead of abandoning the session. It is made in the USA and comes with a satisfaction guarantee.
Reviews split cleanly by use case, which is the honest way to read them. Shooters at low poundage report easy arrow removal and a big face, exactly as designed. Shooters who tried it with 300-plus FPS compound bows report arrows passing beyond the fletching and the block tipping over.
That split is the whole story. This is a youth and beginner target, not a general-purpose backyard block, and pairing it with an adult compound is a passthrough waiting to happen.
Matching a youth bow to a safe target
Draw weight is the constraint that matters. A block rated for bows under 40 pounds and arrows under 250 FPS matches a youth recurve, a beginner compound or a mid-weight adult bow. Match the target to the bow in the family, not to the adult who wants to test a broadhead.
For a family sharing a lane, a useful pattern is two targets: a light block like this for the junior and a rated foam block for the adult. If you are also choosing equipment for a shared outdoor space, our backyard playset roundup covers the safety side of a family yard.
Where it fails for an adult compound
Arrows from higher-power compound bows pass straight through this block, and a light target that shifts on impact is worse than a heavy one that does not. If your family shares one adult compound, this is not the target for it.
Foam also breaks into loose fragments after repeated shooting from young bows, so plan on indoor use or a sheltered spot if it takes a beating. Broadhead performance is not a design goal here at all.
10. BLOCK Infinity Crossbow – 520 FPS Six-Sided Foam Cube
BLOCK Infinity Crossbow 6-Sided Foam Archery Target, 16” x 16” x 16”, 520 FPS PolyFusion High-Density Layered Foam Stops All Field Points and Broadheads, Easy to Remove Arrows, Durable Carrying Handle
16 x 16 x 16 inch cube
PolyFusion high-density foam
6 faces
Field points and broadheads
Pros
- 520 FPS rating is the highest in this group for standard diameter bolts
- Six faces with five unique designs offset the aiming areas
- Handles field points plus fixed and expandable broadheads
- Bolts still remove easily despite the high-density core
Cons
- Lowest average rating here at 4.2 with 10 percent one-star reviews
- Heavier and bulkier than two-sided blocks
- Broadhead and heavy bolt use wears printed faces faster
Most backyard crossbow shooters do not need a 520 FPS rated target, and that is worth saying plainly. But if you do, the BLOCK Infinity is built for it, with a PolyFusion high-density layered foam core inside an exterior foam wall rated to stop standard diameter bolts at 520 FPS.
The six faces carry five unique designs with aiming areas deliberately offset from one another, so a crossbow shooting 40 arrows an evening spreads its damage rather than tunnelling one spot. It accepts field points and both fixed and expandable broadheads, and bolts still come out easily despite the dense core.
It is made in the USA with a durable carrying handle, and it comes in a 16 inch cube and a 20 inch version that is deeper front to back for high-volume crossbow work.
Be aware of the sample size. With 104 reviews, this is the thinnest owner record of the ten targets, and the 4.2 average includes a 10 percent one-star share from buyers who found it harder to remove arrows from or less durable than they expected.
What a 520 FPS rating actually gets you
A speed rating tells you the arrow is stopped, not that the block is safe on its own at close range. Bolt energy rises steeply with speed, so a 520 FPS block is a marked advantage over a 350 FPS one for a fast crossbow because you are not relying on sheer depth.
For most people shooting a compound at 30 to 35 yards, a 400 to 450 FPS block is plenty. Reserve the 520 FPS class for a genuinely fast crossbow setup or a dedicated crossbow lane.
Where the thin owner record shows
Fewer reviews means less settled consensus. Some buyers found the high-density core harder to work with than the layered open-face designs, and heavy bolt plus broadhead use wears the printed faces faster than field points would.
It is also bulkier than a two-sided block, so if your storage space is a garage corner already occupied by a golf net, size matters as much as rating.
Block vs Bag vs 3D: Which One Do You Actually Need?
Foam blocks beat bags when you shoot broadheads, when you need the target to stand still, and when you want a face you can rotate. Bags win on raw shot capacity and cost per shot, and 3D animal targets win on realistic shot placement. For a backyard with a mixed family of bow types, the block is usually the right default.
Bags absorb arrows in loose synthetic filling, which is why they can take an enormous number of shots and why arrows come out with almost no resistance. The same loose filling cannot hold a broadhead, because the blades simply cut the woven fibre and destroy the bag within a handful of shots. A bag also hangs on a frame and swings on impact, so in a small yard it changes where your misses land.
Blocks stop arrows by friction between foam layers, they sit on the ground rather than swinging, and they take broadheads. What they cost you is capacity: the deepest-wearing blocks in this group still lose a face far sooner than a bag loses its fill.
3D targets made from self-healing foam sit somewhere in between. They are blocks with animal shapes, so they are superb for placing a shot on a deer body but give you no scoring rings and usually no second or third face. Our pick for that job is the Rinehart RhinoBlock, which pairs two realistic deer faces with four dot faces on one block.
One practical note that comes up constantly on shooting forums: paper targets stapled to a tree trunk are not a substitute. They degrade fast outdoors, they disappear in rain, and they give you no way to judge broadhead behaviour before hunting season. If you want paper, use it on a foam block face and mark your aiming spots there.
Choosing a Block Target Size for 20, 40 and 60 Yard Shooting
Match the face to your longest distance, not your most common one. Most advice on this stops at larger is easier, but the useful rule is that the aiming point must stay large enough to read at your maximum distance, and a small point at 40 yards is a harder shot than a big one at 20.
At 10 to 20 yards, an 18 to 24 inch face is generous. You are working on form, release consistency and anchor placement, and a large face keeps beginners in the game. The Delta McKenzie TuffBlock’s 24 x 24 inch face is built for exactly this, and a 22 inch block version suits an adult shooting at the same range.
At 40 yards, an 18 inch face is the practical floor. Anything smaller and you are reading aim marks rather than aiming at a target, which is a sight-in exercise, not a practice exercise. The Black Hole 4-Sided, the Block 6×6 and the BLOCK Classic all sit in this 18 inch range and are the ones we would put in a suburban yard.
At 60 yards, face size is no longer the deciding factor, because the physical depth of the target is. A 60 yard shot with a modern compound carries far more energy than the same bow at 20 yards, and a shallow two-sided block will let arrows reach the backstop. This is the range where the deeper blocks and higher speed ratings earn their place, and where a proper backstop is not optional.
A second sizing consideration is arrow count. More faces means smaller individual faces, as with the Rinehart 18-1 and the Morrell High Roller. If you are scoring, larger faces are easier to read; if you are shooting volume, more faces last longer.
Backyard Setup and Backstops: How to Shoot Safely at Home
Yes, you can put an archery target in your backyard, and yes, you need a backstop behind it. The target is what you aim at. The backstop is what catches the arrow when you miss low, which on a 40 yard shot with a compound is the most common outcome on earth.
USA Archery and NASP both treat the backstop as mandatory rather than optional, and the reason is straightforward. A foam block stops the arrow only if the arrow hits the block. Anything that goes under it, around it, or past a worn-through core continues downrange, and archers report across shooting forums that arrows landing on grass bounce and skip well outside the yard.
Here is the setup we use, in order:
Pick the lane first. Walk the full line from your shooting position to the backstop with a bow in hand and no arrows. Check fences, siding, windows, vehicles, neighbour fences and every low point along the path. Anything you cannot see over is a problem to solve before you shoot.
Hang the backstop behind the target. It must be tall enough and wide enough that no plausible miss goes around it, and it must be set back far enough that a low arrow has dropped into the ground before it arrives.
Place the target in front of the backstop. The gap between target and backstop matters. Too close and a low miss hits the backstop at full speed with no ground to slow the arrow. A few feet of clearance is the usual compromise.
Start close and walk back. Begin at 10 yards, confirm your arrows are hitting where you aim and are stopping, then increase distance in steps. Every step back is a new low-shot risk.
Check after every session. Walk the line, look for skipped arrows in the grass and the neighbours’ boundary, and look at your target’s back face for pass-through damage. Replace a block that is tunnelling at the centre.
Backstop options, roughly in order of how much they absorb: purpose-made archery netting rated to your bow’s speed and arrow count, a wall of stacked hay bales, heavy horse stall mats hung in front of a solid fence or wall, and a dense brush pile as a last resort. All four work. What none of them do is replace checking your line, and what all of them do is add cost and maintenance to a hobby that a single foam block seems to solve.
Two things beyond the backstop decide whether a backyard lane survives the season. The first is noise and timing: shooting in daylight and reasonable hours, and talking to your neighbours before you start, keeps a range that lasts years from becoming one that gets quietly discouraged. The second is arrow retrieval discipline, because arrows left in the grass get stepped on, run over, and lost, and a lost arrow is how shooting families end up with a lane full of half-broken equipment.
Broadheads and Crossbow Bolts: Which Block Targets Are Rated for Them?
Eight of the ten targets here are rated for broadheads, and the two exceptions are the blocks meant for youth and beginner bows. That distinction is the most important safety line in this whole roundup, because a block that is not rated for your broadhead is a passthrough risk rather than a target.
Rated for broadheads: the Black Hole 4-Sided, the Block 6×6 Poly Fusion, the BLOCK Classic, the Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat, the Rinehart 18-1, the Rinehart RhinoBlock, the Morrell High Roller, the Power-Stop High Density block and the BLOCK Infinity. Between them they cover fixed blades, mechanical broadheads and expandables, with the Black Hole 4-Sided explicitly routing field points to its wrapped sides and broadheads to its open layered sides.
Field points only: the Delta McKenzie TuffBlock, which is specified for bows under 40 pounds and arrows under 250 FPS. Shoot it with a broadhead and you are outside its design entirely.
For crossbow bolts, the ratings run from 350 FPS on the Morrell Yellow Jacket and the Power-Stop block, through 375 FPS on the crossbow version of the Black Hole 4-Sided, 400 FPS on the Block 6×6 Poly Fusion, 450 FPS on the Morrell High Roller, 500 FPS on the Rinehart 18-1, and 520 FPS on the BLOCK Infinity. Match the rating to your fastest arrow, not your fastest bow in theory, and check the actual arrow weight because bolt speed and bolt mass both push energy up.
Whatever the rating, keep a backstop behind a crossbow lane. Bolts that pass through a target rated below them do not stop at the next obstacle politely, and this is the failure mode that turns a hobby into a call from the police.
Leaving a Block Target Outside: Weather, UV and Winter Storage
The best archery target to leave outside is a waterproof foam block with fade-resistant printing, and in this group that is the Morrell High Roller. Standard foam blocks are weather resistant rather than waterproof, so the difference over a full winter is real rather than marketing.
Four rules cover most cases. Keep open-layer and layered foam blocks out of standing water, because saturated foam that freezes loses its structure permanently. Bring weather-resistant blocks into a shed or garage for hard frost and snow rather than leaving them to cycle. Rotate faces so no single spot takes the full season of UV and rain, and keep the block off bare wet soil. Finally, treat a target that has gone hard, brittle or noticeably heavier as finished, because that is how a degraded core behaves on impact.
UV damage shows up first on the printed face rather than the core. A faded face is a safety issue, not a cosmetic one, because an archer who cannot see the aiming point will shoot at a spot they cannot verify.
If your yard is exposed and your winters are hard, the two-block approach works well: keep a waterproof block outside for casual practice and store a second block indoors for the serious sessions and for the months when the foam would suffer.
Block Archery Target Buying Guide: Nine Things to Check
Before you buy, run through these nine checks in order. They are ordered by how often they cause a disappointment rather than by price.
Speed rating against your fastest arrow. A target rated below your arrow’s speed is a passthrough risk, not a cheap way to practise.
Broadhead approval. If you shoot blades, the target must say so. Most do, and the ones that do not are the youth and beginner blocks.
Number of shooting faces. Two faces is the baseline, four is comfortable, six and above is a long-term purchase. More faces means a longer working life at the same price band.
Arrow removal. Friction-based layered foam pulls out easily. Dense self-healing and high-density polyethylene hold more firmly, and owners of those targets commonly use a puller and silicone spray.
Depth and face size against your distance. An 18 inch face is the practical floor at 40 yards, and deeper blocks are for longer distances and fast setups.
Weight versus portability. Anything over 10 pounds is a yard target. Anything under 10 ounces is a carry target. Decide which you need before you shop, because you will not get both from one block.
Handle quality. A carry handle is only useful if it survives a season of being carried by one person while loaded with arrows. Reviews do flag failing handles on cheaper blocks.
Weather rating. Waterproof foam is worth a premium for a permanent backyard lane. Weather resistant is fine if you can store the block under a roof.
Stability. A light block tips on impact, which moves your whole aiming point. A weighted or heavier block stays where you put it, and in a yard with a target line that matters more than most specs suggest.
Two habits double the life of almost any block. Rotate faces rather than drilling one aiming point, and spread your shots across the printed bullseyes rather than the same circle every time, since concentrated fire is what creates a tunnel and eventually a pass-through.
If your family shares one lane, match targets to the weakest bow in the house. A 7 pound beginner block beside a 15 pound six-sided block is a common and workable arrangement, and it means the junior can shoot while the adult tunes. If you also want an outdoor setup that suits a mixed-age group, our backyard practice net guide covers the same space-planning questions for net sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best archery target for backyard practice?
The Black Hole 4-Sided is the best all-round choice for a backyard because it shoots from four sides, weighs 8 ounces so one person can move it, and stops arrows to 300 FPS. If you shoot a fast compound or a crossbow, the Field Logic Block 6×6 Poly Fusion raises that to 400 FPS and six shooting faces. For a 500 FPS crossbow, look at the Rinehart 18-1.
Can I put an archery target in my backyard?
Yes, and you should place a backstop behind it. USA Archery and NASP both treat a backstop as mandatory, because a target only stops the arrow that hits it. Walk the full line from your shooting position first, then hang archery netting, stacked hay bales or horse stall mats behind the target with a few feet of clearance.
What is the best backstop for an archery target?
Purpose-made archery netting rated to your bow’s arrow speed and shot count is the most reliable option. Stacked hay bales, hung horse stall mats against a solid fence, and dense brush piles also work. Whichever you use, it must be tall and wide enough that no plausible miss goes around it, and set far enough back that a low arrow has already dropped into the ground.
Are foam or bag archery targets better?
Foam blocks are better for broadheads, for a target that stands still, and for rotating faces. Bags offer far higher shot capacity and lower cost per shot, and arrows pull out of them easily, but a broadhead will cut the woven filling and ruin a bag in a few shots, and a hanging bag swings on impact. For a mixed-family backyard, a block is the better default.
What is the most durable foam archery target available?
The Rinehart 18-1 is the most durable in this group because eighteen shooting faces spread wear further than any other pick, and its self-healing foam closes holes as arrows are withdrawn. If you judge durability by shot volume rather than face count, the Power-Stop High-Density block is the one owners report outlasting cheaper targets after thousands of arrows.
What is the best archery target to leave outside?
A waterproof foam block with fade-resistant printing, and the Morrell High Roller is the pick here with waterproof foam rated to 450 FPS. Standard layered blocks are weather resistant rather than waterproof, so bring them into a shed over hard frost and snow, keep them off wet soil, and rotate faces because UV fades the printed aiming points long before it damages the core.
The Verdict: Which Block Archery Target Should You Buy?
Start with the Black Hole 4-Sided. It is the best block archery target for backyard practice for most people because it does the two things that matter most in a small yard, stopping arrows cleanly and staying light enough to move, while four sides and a 300 FPS rating cover the range of bows a household is likely to own. Its owner history is also the deepest here, with 4.5 stars across more than 5,500 reviews.
Move up to the Field Logic Block 6×6 Poly Fusion if you shoot a fast compound and want six faces and a 400 FPS rating. Choose the Rinehart 18-1 if you want one target to last years and shoot a crossbow, the Morrell High Roller if it lives outside year round, and the Delta McKenzie TuffBlock if a young archer in your family is just starting.
Whatever you pick, add a backstop, rotate your faces, and walk your line after every session. That habit, more than any spec on the box, is what keeps a backyard lane safe and shooting for years.