Archery

Stone arrowheads have been found as early as 50,000b.c.

In EGYPT, A stone fresco dated back to 7500b.c. of an archer was found in an area called the Tassili rock.

Archery was used as the major weapon in war until about the 17th century when firearms became more accurate and more reliable.

Archery made it’s debut as an Olympic sport in 1900 in Paris. Due to lack of organization and international rules, the 1920 Olympics was the last until the Munich Games in 1972.

In 1931 the International Archery Federation was founded to develop official rules for competition

The biggest aspect of archery as a sport revolves around it’s safety factors

Two basic pieces of equipment are the bow and the arrow

Equipment

Three types of bows are the:LongbowCompoundRecurve

Bows

Most basic of all bows. This shape has not changed since its creation between 9,000 and 6,000b.c.

Longbow

This is now the bow of choice for hunter, field archery and competition target shooting. Has a system of cams and pulleys that creates an increase in arrow distance and speed.

Compound Bow

This is preferred over the Longbow due to better accuracy and faster shooting ability than that longbow. It has recently seen a decline in popularity due to the compound bow

Recurve Bow

Arrow Plate – Part of the arrow rest lying flat against the side of the bow handle’s sight

Arrow rest – Piece of plastic or metal that protrudes from the arrow plate to hold the arrow.

Bow grip – Part of the bow handle that sits between the thumb and the forefinger of the bow hand.

Definitions

Bow sight – Mechanical device attached to the bow with which the archer can aim directly at the target.

Bow tip – very end of the bowString nock – Indention at each end of the

bow that holds the string when the bow is braced.

Brace – process of stringing the bow

Can be made of a variety of materials such as wood, plastic, metal and fiberglass

Arrows

Nock – Plastic end of the arrow that is formed to fit onto the bowstring

Shaft – Body of arrowCresting – Decorative coloring on the arrow

used for identificationFletching – Feathers attached to the arrow to

help stabilize the arrow during flight

Arrow Terminology

Index feather – Feather positioned at a right angle to the side of the bow when the arrow is nocked. Usually it is a different color from the other two feathers

Vanes – Plastic feathers used in place of fletching

One Whistle – it is safe to shootTwo whistles – Shooting is over, retrieve

arrowsThree whistles – STOP!

Archery Range Signals

1. Always straddle the shooting line when preparing to shoot

2. Never draw, aim, or shoot your b ow unless you have been given the signal to shoot

3. Never cross the shooting line until you have been given the signal to do so

4. Never dry fire your bow (release the bowstring without an arrow)

6. Draw your bow only while pointing the arrow at the target

Archery Safety Rules

7. Step from the shooting line when you have finished shooting

8. Make sure no one is standing behind you while you remove your arrows, and do not stand directly in front of the target when arrows are being removed.

9. Never leave anyone alone at a target. This reduces the possibility of the misperception that all is clear when it is not.

10. When returning to the shooting line with arrows, carry the tips in the palm of your hand to prevent accidents, and never run back to the line

Archery Safety Rules cont.

1. Take your Stance2. Nock the arrow3. Position draw hand and bow hand4. Position bow arm for predraw5. Draw the bow6. Anchor7. Hold and aim8. Release9. Follow through10. Relax

10 Steps of Shooting a Bow