What Is Needed To Be A Successful Archer?

What is archery?

Archery is a very dynamic sport, that requires physical and mental ability. Archery is a sport that requires both critical thinking and concentration. Archery is defined as the sport or skill of shooting with a bow and arrows, especially at a target.This blog will provide you with many stages and steps you will need to know. Before performing in an archery competition or shooting for recreational purposes you must first have the proper equipment. Make sure to have the proper poundage bow, and proper arrows  (you can check this information with your coach or sales associate). For starters you may also want to purchase a safety guard for your arm .

Here are some terms to help you when becoming a successful archer :

Stance- the standing position of an archer Arrow notch- notch at the end of the arrow can be made by various types of  material, plastic, metal are the most common. Quiver- container that holds your arrows 
Bow String- the string that draws a bow back Fletching- feathers placed on the sides at the end of an arrow to guide its flight Dry Firing- releasing the bow string without an arrow (You don't want to do this)

Dominance 

Most of the time if you are right handed you will shoot with a right handed bow and if you are left handed you will shoot with a left handed bow. 

• Try which you feel would fit you best and try to pull back (without releasing) 
• also try to "mock" a shoot to feel the comfort of the shoot 
• Have a coach or an experienced archer help you with this step 

Stance

When learning how to shoot the first step is making sure you have your stance in position. Here are a few steps to keep in mind. 

• Straddle the line by putting one foot in front of the line and one behind 
• Shift your body do that the seem of you pants leg is lined up with the target

Positioning your bow

When standing at the firing line you must rest your bow by placing the bottom pulley on your toe. often you will hear the phrase "bows on toes" 

Shooting 

Before being able to shoot you must know the safety rules one being the whistle commands. They ensure each shooters safety by keeping them on the same page on the range. 

 Whistle commands 

• 1 whistle- nock your arrow and begin shooting 
• 2 whistle- archers may proceed to the shooting line and take stance 
• 3 whistle- walk forward  and retrieve your arrows 

Preparing to shoot 

   
First . You will start at the waiting line and when you hear two whistles blown by the ranger you will retrieve your bow and take your stance at the shooting line.

 Next you will wait to hear one whistle blown and you will nock your arrow with the odd color fletching facing out.

How To Nock Your Arrow 

• First you will want to take an arrow out of the quiver
• You will then place the tip of the arrow in the arrow rest and nock the back on to the bow string 
• Be sure when doing this to have your bow aligned vertically with the target 
• Be sure to make sure the odd color fletching is facing on the outward 

   Shooting 

•  Pull your arrow back by placing two fingers above the notch and one below. You will find a comfortable place to anchor and aim. (aim small miss small)
• Aim by looking straight down the arrow 
• Make sure to keep you bow hand and shoulders relaxed 
• Take a deep breath 
•  Finally release 

Scoring 

When scoring there will be a scantron provided as your score sheet

• Start at the center and work outward 
• Bubble in the score for each arrow 
• The first two yellow rings are 10's, the second is a 9
• the first red ring is a 8, the second red is a 7
• the first blue ring is a 6, the second is a 5
• the first black ring is 4, the second is 3 
• the first white ring is 2, the second is 1 
• Any arrow is not in a ring is a 0 
• If the arrow is touching a line of the ring you take the higher number of whatever number it is closes to. 

• To remove your arrows you should squat beside the target 
• next place your hand on the target above the arrows and pull the arrow

 You will see that each person is different with their aim and anchor so that is up to you to decide. Also everyone's draw back and release are different, once you feel comfortable with these you will be on your way to being a successful archer. Your coach will help you on adjusting this things. Just keep practicing, practice makes progress!