Archery 101
Archie Waldroop provides advice on the basic skills of archery.
Archery is one of the oldest sports or practices known to men, having been discovered as early as 20,000 BC. Traditionally used for warfare and hunting, more and more people are learning archery to compete professionally or practice it as a hobby.
Aside from experiencing how your ancestors used a bow and arrow in the past, learning archery can provide countless benefits. This sport can improve your hand-eye coordination, upper body strength, and ability to focus. Over time, archery can also enhance your social life as you can meet people while practicing in shooting ranges or joining competitions.
You can enjoy these benefits by learning the basics of the sport first.
Choosing A Bow
Nowadays, you can find several pieces of equipment for archery such as an armguard, adjustable bow release, chest guard, and shooting glove. When used correctly, this equipment can significantly improve your performance as an archer. But since you are still new to the sport, starting with the basics first is best.
To learn the basics of archery, start investing in the correct type of bow. Sure, all bows might look and function similarly but come in different shapes and sizes. A bow might be one of the most basic items in archery, but choosing the right one for your skill is also among the hardest.
To make this process easier, follow these tips when choosing a bow:
Consider the draw length and draw weight. You can quickly narrow your options when choosing a bow by looking at its draw length and weight. You can gather this information by visiting shops and trying out several bows. The bow you will use should be comfortable and fit your skill as a beginner.
You can follow this basic guideline when looking for a beginner’s bow:
- 8 to 12 years old: Bows that weigh 10 to 16 pounds
- Young teens: 14 to 22 pounds
- Older teens: 25 to 35 pounds
- Young men and women: 25 to 40 pounds
- Adults: 40 to 50 pounds
The next thing you must consider before picking your new bow is your draw length. It is essential because your bow should fit your arm length and range of motion.
Using a bow that is too small or too big for your arm will make it difficult to shoot arrows and increase your susceptibility to injuries.
You can get your draw length by measuring your arm span from fingertip to fingertip and dividing the number by 2.5. If your arm span is 76 inches, you should have 30.4 inches after dividing the number by 2.5.
Since you now know your draw length, you can start looking for a bow with this measurement. If your draw length is 30.4 inches, make sure the bow you choose is also labelled 30.4 inches. Measuring your draw length will ensure that the bow you pick fits you perfectly.
Pay attention to the brand
Although not a requirement, it is best to look at the bow manufacturer you are planning to buy. Since learning archery takes time, make sure that you invest in a bow that is produced by well-known brands such as Bear, Bowtech, and PSE. Buying branded bows will give you peace of mind, knowing that you will use high-quality, durable bow equipment that lasts for years.
If you have friends and family who just started archery, you can ask for their recommendations on the best bows for beginners. The internet can also provide unlimited reviews on the best (and worst) brands of archery bows, so make sure to use this resource before buying, as well.
Choosing An Arrow
Your desire to learn archery will not become a reality if you do not have any arrows. What good is your bow if you do not have any arrows? But just like bows, choosing an arrow also requires time and effort.
Before choosing the best arrow that is suitable for your skill, you need to consider the following factors first:
Material
You can now buy arrows made from wood, fibreglass, aluminium, carbon, and composite. Although all of these materials have pros and cons, it is best for beginners like you to start by using arrows made from aluminium or carbon.
Carbon is widely known for its speed, reliability, and durability, and it is lightweight. Aluminium is an excellent option because it is strong, affordable, and flexible. Arrows made from either of these materials are suitable for newbies like you because both are very easy to manoeuver or control.
Arrow length
Getting your arrow length is more complicated than determining the draw length. To stay safe, visit any pro shop in your area, bring your bow, and have the pros assist you in getting your arm's length.
But if you are planning to buy your arrows online or if you do not have any access to a pro shop near your area, you will not have any other choice but to measure your draw length on your own. You can do this by:
- Draw your bow and have another person take measurements from your nocking point (the part of the arrow where it hits the strings is attached) to the rest of the bow.
- You can add one or two inches to the original measurement, especially if you plan to use broadheads.
- The total measurement after adding a few inches will be your arrow length.
Practicing Your Shots
Since you now have the perfect bow and arrow, practicing your shots is the next logical step. If you have been watching archery competitions in the past, you might think that archery is just about shooting arrows with a bow. However, it is not. This sport requires skills, and you must consider several factors before deciding to release your arrow from your bow.
When practicing your shots, do not feel pressured and think you must play like a professional immediately. Perfecting the skills for the sport will require plenty of time, and you should be willing to exert this resource when learning.
When practicing your shots, make sure to take your time, relax, and follow these tips:
- Perfect your form: Before deciding when to release your arrow or how to aim at your target better, start by perfecting your stance. When playing archery, the right position can improve your aim and overall performance.
For beginners, the best stance to practice is the square stance. You can implement this stance by:
- Stand straight with your feet positioned shoulder-width apart. Both feet should parallel the shooting line before, during, and after you make the shot.
- Your knees should be bent slightly, and your hips should face forward. Your back should be straight and not arching.
- Stand straight and avoid leaning too forward or far away from the target. Shoulders should be relaxed the entire time, and your torso should face straight ahead.
Nock your arrow
Nocking your arrow means putting your arrow on the string of your bow. For beginners, attaching a nock locator or string nock to your bowstring will make it easy for you to determine the nocking point on your trusty bow.
After setting the nocking point, listen for an audible click as you snap your arrow into place. Hearing this signal that your arrow is now locked into your bowstring and ready to release.
Hold the bowstring
There are several techniques for holding your bowstring, but for beginners, focus on learning the "three-finger draw." It is the most basic and simplest way.
The three-finger draw will involve putting where your fingers make an initial bend on the bowstring. Carefully place your index finger above the arrow; the middle and ring fingers should be below. Lastly, your thumbs should be relaxed and facing downwards.
Set your bow hand
our bow hand determines the aim of your shots, so you should take time to set your bow hand. Although there are several ways to do this, the simplest way is to keep your hand forward and then let the bow rest gently in your hand. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to grip it hard to get better shots.
Aim the arrow
Aiming the arrow is one of the most challenging phases when learning archery, but since you are still a beginner, there is no need to hurry up the preparation.
When using a bow sight, use your dominant eye to lock your target and spend a few minutes focusing on that point. Position your bow and ensure that when you peek through the bow sight, all of the pins are in line with the target visible in your line of sight.
Release the arrow
To release the arrow from your bow, relax your fingers and let the bowstring move forward. During this time, all you need to do is to let go.
Find A Good Coach
You can never learn archery overnight, regardless of how well-equipped and determined you are. Having the right gear and passion for learning is a great start, but these are not enough for you to efficiently play the sport. You must practice as often as possible, assess your performance, and gradually improve.
But if you want to expedite learning archery and become a pro soon, invest in the services of an experienced coach. Hiring one will give structure to your attempts at learning archery, as you will be guided on what to do during practices and how you can improve based on your current skill set.
A coach can also share valuable tips about playing the sport and help you practice these tips. Along with regular practice and watching videos of professional archers, working with a coach will make learning archery easier and more fun!
Never Compare
If you have been fascinated with archery for years, you likely saw how professional archers played during competitions. As a fan who just started playing the sport, you will probably compare your performance to that of your idols and wish that you could perform just like them.
Looking up to a professional archer is a great way to keep yourself inspired, but you should know when to draw the limit. Suppose you want to effectively learn archery and succeed in playing the sport in the future. Never compare yourself to the performance of other archers. Doing this can impact your mental health and might even discourage you to continue playing.
Stop worrying about what other people think about your performance or stressing about how soon you can have the skills of professionals. Instead, focus on yourself. Concentrate on your games, audit your performance, and never tire of learning.
By paying more attention to your performance rather than the performance of other people, you will soon be able to participate in more significant competitions and earn the same recognition as your idols.
Think Positive
You need to invest in several pieces of equipment and learn different techniques to play archery. It still does not include the changes you must make in your schedule so you can find time to practice regularly. Completing these tasks can be daunting, but once you familiarise yourself and master archery, you will realize that all of your efforts will be worth it.
In addition to using this article as your guide, always have the patience and willingness to learn. Have fun during the process and make the most of your experience!
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- WALDROOP, A. (2020) Archery 101 [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article536.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Archie Waldroop is a sports coach who works with individuals and teams to introduce a new sport or improve their skills in a sport they have played for years. He creates unique sports tactics and strategies based on the players' current skill sets and goals. When Archie is not busy working, he likes to sweat in his home gym or write sports-related articles.