Archery is one of the oldest past timesand is now recognised as a professional Olympic sport that is played by using bows and arrows. The person who plays this game (i.e. the player) is known as the archer or a bowman.

The idea of the game is to hit the target with the bow and whoever strikes the target with maximum accuracy wins the game.Archery requires skill, precision, control, focus, repetition and determination.

At Avalanche Adventure we provide a 15-metre outdoor range specially designed for archers who desire to practice and add perfection to their skills. You can book our archery facility and enjoy the game with specialist trainers.

Basics of Archery

To play archery, a player requires knowing some basic terms related to the game which will help to gain knowledge about it. These terms are used to describe archery equipments and methods to start the game for beginners. Below, we have mentioned some terms for your reference:

Re-curve bow: It is a traditional type of bow in which strings are attached to the end of each limb which gives archer a greater power to strike the arrow on the target.

Take-down bow: This bow has detachable re-curve limbs with separate handle (riser).

Limbs: It is the place where strings are attached. This is where the energy is stored when the bow is pulled due to the flexing of the limbs.

Riser: It is the central part of the bow which is also known as handle.

Bracer: It is an arm guard which prevents the string from hitting your arm.

Tab: Protection for the fingers to prevent small cuts while pulling the bowstring.

Anchor point: This point is placed at top knuckle under your chin where the string touches your face while stretching it. It helps you to accurately point the target.

Fletching: The plastic fins on the arrow used to stabilize the arrow in the flight.Some of the arrows consists of feathers as plastic is harder wearing.

Nock: A part of an arrow which is clipped on the string.

Nocking Point: It is the point where the arrow fits which is placed between two small metal rings on the string.

Boss: The big round straw board where the target face is attached.

Target face: It is target paper pinned to the boss which has coloured layers. Starting from centre gold is first then, red, blue, black, and white is the outermost. Gold is the maximum scoring area whereas white is the lowest.

Equipments to be used

Before beginning the game, one must know what equipment’swillbe needed to play. Always look for the required and essential archery kit which will help you to play the game comfortably.

Arrow

Modern arrows are made of carbon fibre, fibreglass, wood or aluminium which is according to the gaming standards.

Bow

To make a fresh start, wooden take down bows is a good choice. However, there are inexpensive metal handled bows also available in the market. Choosing the right bow will increase the power, precision, and accuracy of the shot.

Re-curve bow: As the name suggests, the central part of the limbs curve towards the archer and tips of the limbs curve away from the archer. These bows are usually used for beginners to teach them archery.

Compound bows: This bow has innovative system of cables, pulleys and eccentric cams that assist the archer to aim a powerful shot without causing excessive muscle fatigue.

Bow Sight

This equipment helps to increase the capability to aim the target more precisely. It allows the archer to have better view of the projectile towards the target.

Fixed pin sights: These sights have adjustable pins according to the range of the projectile. Top pin is used for short range shooting projectile and bottom pin is used for long range. Once the pin is set fixed by tightening, it can be readjusted.

Movable or single pin sights: Unlike fixed pin sights, these sights have single pin which is movable to adjust the aiming distance.It allows more flexibility to archers as single pin adjustment makes it less complex than fixed pin sight to move the pointer based on the distance.

Target competition sights: These sights are specially designed for competition use. These sights have quality scope and magnifying glass which helps to avoid tolerances in the way of the target.

Arrow rest

It will hold your arrow still and in position until you make a shot. There are some factors by which arrow can be unstirred and the shot will get deflected a little, disappointing your expectations. To overcome this problem, choosing the right rest will enhance your skills and accuracy of your shots.

Containment arrow rests: These rests hold the arrow at three different spots, rigidly holding until it is shot. It will be excellent choice for beginners as well as trained archers. These rests are easy to install and very simpleto tune, eliminating any possibility of shaking or falling of the arrow.

Drop away arrow rests: These rests firmly hold the arrow up into the position until the shot is taken. But when the arrow leaves the bow, the rest moves completely down and out of the path of the arrow. These rests are mostly used by experienced archers who continuously look for perfection in their shot.

Shoot-thru arrow rests: These rests are usually called as Prong rests as they consist of prongs, spaced about two-third of the arrow diameter apart, creating a sort of cradle for the arrow. There is a spring attached to the prongs which allows flexible movements down and forward at the time of shot to prevent flight disruptions.

Pressure/Plunger rests: They are also called as Finger-shooter rest as they help archers to counteract the horizontal oscillation of an arrow released with fingers. These rests helps to adjust the amount of pressure the arrow gets from the rest, to get the best possible tune from a finger-released bow.

Bow stringer

A bow stringer is used to string a re-curve bow. They will make it easy to put string on the bow without giving any damage to the bow. They come in two basic designs, namely double pocket and saddle type. This equipment will provide the correct string method which avoids damages to the bow in the form of twisted limbs or splitting of the limbs.

Arrows

There are lot of variety in arrows which are available with each having different advantages to offer.

Carbon Arrows: These arrows are very light-weight and less stiff in comparison to others. They could be more dangerous as carbon fibre does not bend or snap and can be able to cause damage to the bow if aren’t used properly.

Aluminium arrows: These arrows are slightly heavier but they are stiffer and break-less. They don’t splinter easily that is why these arrows are safe to use. They can be cut to adjust size or length, making it comfortable to try a shot.

Wooden arrows: These are the most basic types of arrows which are first to use in the archery history. These arrows are usually used with long bows and some low power re-curve bows because they easily break with power re-curve bows.

Quiver

Essential equipment for an archer is a good quiver that can store as much arrows as per the requirement of the archer. Most of the archers look for a quiver that is easily portable and can provide smoothness while picking up an arrow. There are many types of quivers available based on the preference or functionality.

Bow quivers or Bow mounted quivers: Usually, a compound or re-curve bow has screw holes and bushings on them which allows a quiver to be mounted on the side. Bow quivers hold the arrows by grips for the arrow shaft at the tip end which is normally filled with some sort of foam substance to protect the sharp tip of the arrow.

Back quivers: These quivers are most familiar and classic in the archery. They can be useful to carry arrows at the back of the archer so that they don’t get in the way of aim towards the target.

Waist Mount or Hip quivers: These quivers are trending and getting more popular in the game of archery. There is a belt which is attached to quiver, to wear around the waist and the belt is adjustable, according to the waist-size and reach of your hand to the quiver.

Tube quivers: These types of quivers contain tubes to separate arrows of different purposes. These tubes prevent arrows from jangling around next to one another which can cause damage to fletching, shafts and even pointed tips.

Tab

A finger tab or an archer tab is a piece of leather that fits between draw-hand fingers to protect them from bowstrings. It mainly comes with leather material but have some additional components. Extra cushion can be added between the fingers and bowstring. A spacer between the index finger and middle fingers prevents nock pinch for archers using a split-finger hook. A shelf or ledge at the top edge of the tab can give archer firmer contact when anchoring beneath the chin. Elastic or other materials can help the tab to secure the draw hand’s fingers.

Shooting Techniques

Before stating the game, there are some basic techniques which will help start to play the game. To become a good archer, one should remember these techniques for better concentration, control and consistency.

Body position: Position of your feet must be fixed which helps you to stabilize the body while holding bow. Keep your body weight evenly distributed on them and keeping your shoulders back, making upright body position.

Nocking the arrow: To ensure the correct position of the arrow onto the string, fingers should be correctly positioned and back of the hand must be flat and relaxed.

Before drawing arrow: make sure the bow is held vertical and the pressure on the bow hand is precise. Head should be stable that is in the correct position and bow arm, wrist and fingers should be relaxed.

Making a draw: Bow shoulder should be kept back and down, and blades must be moved together with shoulder.

Anchor: String must be touching the nose and chin while the index finger of drawing hand is under the jawbone.

Hold and aim: To steady the sight on the gold target, alignment of the string should be correct and tension between shoulder blades should be maintained.

Release the arrow: This can be toughest and to pay attention on release, fingers should be relaxed and not shiver during the release of the string.

Follow through: Do not deflect your eyes off the target and keep your bow arm up. Do not lose the current posture of the body.

Safety Rules and Etiquettes

Every game has some sort of rules and criteria of safety for your own and others also. You just need to follow these safety instructions before you begin.

Always draw the bow when facing the target or while standing on the shooting line.

Do not take aim of the bow anywhere else except the target.

Wait for the approval of captain or coach before start shooting.

Pay attention to the signs of danger as if someone shouts FAST, lower down your bow.

Never go in the line of shooting until field instructor approves by whistling.

Always look for the fallen arrows while walking towards target.

Keep appropriate distance between the shot and you.

Never draw a bow without an arrow as it may damage its limbs and cause some personal injuries.

Always try to obey these instructions as it will help you to give good impression to your opponent, coaches as well as fieldsmen.

In the world of sports, archery has been gaining popularity and high-level tournaments like championships, Olympics and commonwealth games give great importance to this game. You can also check out other exciting game facilities provided by them at reasonable rates.

So, if you have any query, feel free to contact us any time and get yourself ready for adventures of archery here at Avalanche Adventure.