In the past, archery was used for hunting and combat, but nowadays, archery has become a sport of precision shooting. Whatever your reason for learning archery, this wikiHow teaches you some tips and techniques you can apply to get you shooting right in the middle in no time.
Step
Step 1. Determine your dominant eye
As you might have guessed, the dominant eye will be more accurate at aiming and measuring distance. In archery, the dominant eye is more important than the dominant hand because you have to be able to determine the target of the arrow you shoot.
Step 2. Use equipment that matches your dominant eye
Most archery equipment is labeled "right-handed" or "left-handed" (which refers to which part of the hand is pulling the bowstring). Perhaps this is because most people have the same dominant eye as their dominant hand. (Right-eye dominance is common and so is right-handed). However, if your dominant eye isn't the same as your dominant hand, it's a good idea to buy equipment for the weaker hand. This is useful so that you can use your dominant eye to aim at the target as you can still use your right or left arm/hand, or both, unlike the eyes.
- Right eye dominant: Use the bow for the right hand, by holding the bow with the left hand, and pulling the bowstring with the right hand.
- Left eye dominant: Use a left-handed bow by holding the bow with your right hand and pulling the bowstring with your left.
Step 3. Get suitable archery equipment
Certain equipment is essential so that you can practice archery safely and with fun. Some of the recommended equipment include:
- Wear a sleeve protector (also known as a " vambrace " or bracer) on your bow arm (the arm that holds the bow) to protect the arm from slapping the bowstring (if you don't wear it, the skin on the forearm can peel off if you shoot the bow too often).
- You may also want to wear a breastplate (especially if you're a woman) to protect your chest from getting slapped by the bowstring, and so that your clothes don't get in the way of the rope's ejection. Usually these tools are made of flexible plastic.
- Put a finger tab on the finger you use to pull the bowstring. This is a piece of leather or thick cloth that protects your finger when you let go of the bowstring.
- You can also wear bowling gloves to keep your grip on the handle of the bow from shifting, and to keep your open hand pressed against the handle so that the bow can move freely when the arrow is released.
- You can wear a quiver on your back or waist. Quiver is a tool for placing arrows.
Step 4. Take the correct shooting position
The body must be in a position perpendicular to the target and the line of fire. This means you have to draw an imaginary line from your body to the target. This line should run across the middle of your foot. If you have a dominant right eye, hold the bow with your left hand, pointing your left shoulder at the target, and hold the arrow and bowstring with your right. Do the opposite if you have a dominant left eye.
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart so that your feet form a straight line toward the goal.
- When adjusting your posture, stand up straight and don't strain. Your standing position should be comfortable, but firm. The correct posture for the archer is to stand up straight and form a "T" shape. The archer's back muscles are used to pull the arrow to the anchor point (the point to stop pulling the bowstring and hold it there).
- Tighten the buttocks so that the pelvis is pulled forward.
Step 5. Attach the arrows
Point the bow down and place the shaft of the arrow on the arrow rest.) Attach the back of the arrow to the bowstring with the nock (a small piece of plastic that has a groove to attach to the bowstring). If the arrow has three vanes, position the arrow so that one of the feathers is pointing out of the bow. Place the arrow under the nock bead or in the middle if there are two nock locators (markers on the bowstring to place the nock). If you've never done this before, ask someone who has mastered it to teach you.
Step 6. Use three fingers to lightly hold the arrow on the bowstring
In the most common position, the index finger is placed above the arrow, while the middle and ring fingers are below it. This is called the Mediterranean bow pull or "split finger" style and is the most popular finger position today. In the Eastern tradition of pulling the bow, the string is pulled using the thumb and is usually assisted by a ring made of metal or bone to protect the thumb. Another type of bow grip is to place three fingers under the arrow so that the arrow is closer to the eye. This is the recommended position when you shoot without using a sight.
Step 7. Lift and draw the bow
If this is done with gentle movements and with frequent practice, you will be able to control the movement and concentrate fully on the goal so that your attention is not distracted (even fatigue won't distract you). Try to hold the bow relaxed, without causing torsion (twisting) on the riser (handle) of the bow.
- 1. Aim the bow arm (the arm that holds the bowstring) at the target. The inner elbow should be parallel to the floor and the arc should remain vertical. You should be able to see the back of the arrow directly.
- 2. Pull the bowstring toward the face to the "anchor point" position. The anchor position is usually around the cheek, chin, ear or corner of the mouth. Its position is up to you, but it should be at a consistent point every time you shoot. Be careful not to relax or overdo the rope when you reach the anchor point. This can make your shot miss the mark or lose its power.
Step 8. Aim at the target
You can shoot instinctively or use sight.
- Instinctive shooting is the coordination between the eye and the arm holding the bow so that experience and subconscious guide you. It requires a lot of concentration and lots of practice. Concentrate only on the target.
- If you're using a sight, you'll need to adjust the pins on the side of the compound or recurve bow to set different firing ranges. This method is easy to learn so it is suitable for beginners who are less experienced.
Step 9. Release the arrow by relaxing the finger that is pulling the bowstring
While this may seem easy, the way you remove your fingers from the bowstring can affect how the arrows fly. This is so that you can release arrows smoothly. As a beginner, this takes time. Some of the problems that you can experience when removing the bowstring include the appearance of jerks and vibrations. You also have to anticipate the direction of the shot that is not accurate. Anything that can change the speed of the bowstring when your finger releases it can change the direction of the arrow.
Step 10. Move the hand pulling the bowstring back and finish by rotating your shoulders after you release the arrow at the target
Keep the bow steady until the arrow hits the target. Watch the arrows as they fly to the target.
Step 11. Shoot all the arrows
The arrows used are usually 6 pieces. Repetition is learning. With practice, your skills will improve over time. Part of learning to shoot arrows effectively is learning everything described above well so that your skills will develop on their own and you won't be bothered by having to remember each different move. It can be difficult at first, but you'll get better at it and feel comfortable each time you go through the steps again.
Step 12. Calculate your archery results if desired
The standard goal for FITA (International Archery Federation) has 10 circles of equal width. The two yellow circles in the center have a value of 10. The value will decrease by one for each circle outside. If the arrow only touches or pierces the line, the higher value is counted. Of course, the main goal is to shoot arrows as close as possible to the center of the target.
Different types of archery (field archery, animal hunting archery, Beursault archery, etc.) are recognized by FITA taking into account the range of fire, number of arrows, type of target and equipment. This variation must be taken into account when you calculate the score. There are also types of archery that take into account the time limit, for example in the Olympic games
Tips
- Archers should pay attention to recoil or follow-up movements made by the body because this can indicate whether your form of movement (technique) is correct or not.
- Rotate your arm inward so that your forearm doesn't hit the bowstring. Not only will this make your position more stable, but the movement will also keep the bowstring away from your forearm.
- When an archer's skills have improved from a beginner to a more advanced level, they can switch to an "open stance" position. Every archer has his own preferences. This position is done by placing the foot that is farthest from the line of fire in front of the other foot with a distance of half the length of the foot.
- If you want to aim the bow, focus on a point on the target so you can really concentrate on that point, then slowly release the bowstring from your finger. If your hand is unstable when shooting, grip the bow perfectly so that your thumb is behind the bow. This position is very useful to keep the arm stable.
- Quiver is a useful piece of equipment and is often used in shooting ranges. This tool can be in the form of a metal pole and hole driven into the ground, or a cylindrical container that is hung from a belt.
- If you're a beginner, you may want to do push ups, pull ups, or other arm strengthening exercises before starting. This is especially useful when you're holding the bow so your arm doesn't vibrate when you're aiming.
- Do not dry fire (shoot a bow without arrows).
- Try to pull the bowstring as far as possible for maximum power. This can improve accuracy and reduce the effects of wind and gravity.
- As you pull the bowstring, lift your elbows up. This makes the shoulder muscles work, not the arm muscles.
- Keep your eyes on the target, don't focus on the bow or arrow.
- Make sure the thumb is used to support the arrow so that the arrow does not accidentally shoot.
- As you pull the bowstring back, place your index finger at the corner of your mouth so that the arrow is directly under your eye. This makes it easier for you to aim at the target.
Warning
- Do not pull and release the bowstring without using arrows. This action, which is called "dry fire", can cause the bow to crack due to the pressure that comes from the ejection force that is reabsorbed by the bow.
- Always aim the bow at the target or at the ground. When shooting, no animals or people should enter the shooting area (the area in front of the shooting line). Be careful at all times.
- Wear arm guards whenever you fire a bow to prevent the arm holding the bow from being scratched or injured. Most arm guards are from the wrist to the elbow, but this depends on the archer's shooting style, and can reach up to the upper arm. Don't worry if your arm hurts in the first few exercises. This is a normal condition for beginners.
