A Beginner’s Guide to
Archery
Manual Revised by Courtney Simon
A Beginner’s Guide to Archery
Table of Contents
Section One: Choosing Equipment
Chapter 1: Recurve Archery
1.1 The Basics of Recurve
1.2 Recurve Diagram
Chapter 2: Compound
2.1 The Basics of Compound
2.2 Compound Diagram
Chapter 3: Arrows and Other Equipment
3.1 Arrow Diagram
3.2 Bracer, Sight, Stabilizer, Tab,
and Quiver
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Section Two: Getting Started
Chapter 4: Technique
4.1 Establishing Stance
4.2 Adjusting Grip
4.3 Marking Finger Position
4.4 Preparing the Shot
4.5 Drawing the bow
4.6 Anchoring
4.7 Aiming
4.8 Loosing
4.9 Following Through
Chapter 5: Safety
5.1 Rules
10
Section Three: Competing
Chapter 6: Scoring
6.1 Target Diagram
Chapter 7: Types of Archery
7.1Target Archery
7.2 Field Archery
22
Section Four: Appendix
Chapter 8: Glossary
Chapter 9: Acknowledgments
26
27
29
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12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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Section One
Choosing Equipment
CHAPTER 1: Recurve Archery
1.1
1.2
Introduction
Diagram
CHAPTER 2: Compound Archery
2.1
2.2
Introduction
Diagram
CHAPTER 3: Arrows and Other Equipment
3.1
3.2
Arrow Diagram
Bracer, Sight, Stabilizer, Tab, and Quiver
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Section One
CHAPTER 1: RECURVE ARCHERY
1.1 The Basics of Recurve
The recurve bow is the only bow style
allowed in the Olympics. The draw weight is
slightly heavier than that of a compound bow.
The recurve-bow is the most efficient design. The limb
tips on a recurve-bow are bent back away from you
when in a relaxed position. When the string is drawn
back the curves straighten to provide leverage when
the string is released and the curves return to their
original c-shape. This allows for more arrow speed than
a straight limb-bow. The bow’s limb length is fitted for
an archer’s size to maximize the leverage provided by
the limbs.
Modern engineering,
sights, stabilizers and
carbon arrows make
the modern recurve a
far superior bow than
its traditional
predecessors, but
there still limits on the
types of equipment
allowed.!!
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!!!!!!!!!!FIGURE 1-A Shooting Recurve
http://www.dunkeld-park.co.uk/images/archery.jpg
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Section One
CHAPTER 1: RECURVE ARCHERY
1.2 Recurve Diagram
When selecting a recurve bow, you will need
to be measured tor appropriate draw weight,
draw length, and hand preference.
FIGURE 1-B
Recurve Bow Diagram
http://www.archery.org.au/scripts/cgiip.exe
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Section One
CHAPTER 2: COMPOUND ARCHERY
2.1 The Basics of Compound
The compound bow has become increasingly
popular in the last ten years. The holding
weight is dramatically less at full draw.
Compound bows are designed with an off-center,
pulley or cam mounted on each limb tip. The pulleys
are designed and mounted so that the energy needed
to pull back the bowstring is the greatest at mid-draw
and the smallest at full-draw. This makes the aiming
process a lot easier for the archer. When the string is
released, this situation is reversed and the speed and
energy of the arrow is increased.
The compound bow is
designed for maximum
accuracy. A mechanical
trigger, called a release aid,
is used to let go of the string
and telescopic sights are
permitted. Almost anything
is allowed provided it is not
electronic or electrical.!
FIGURE 2-A Shooting Compound
http://www.sydneybowman.com/images/
compound 2.jpg
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Section One
CHAPTER 2: COMPOUND ARCHERY
2.2 Compound Diagram
Most of the alterations of a compound bow are in
the accessories. Unlike the recurve bow, it will
come with the string and cables already attached.
FIGURE 2-B
Compound Bow
http://www.archery.org.au/lib/images/content/
compound%201.jpg
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Section One
CHAPTER 3: ARROWS AND OTHER
EQUIPMENT
3.1 Arrow Diagram
There are different types of arrows, but all
should have the same parts. There is some
variation between indoor and outdoor arrows.
FIGURE 3-A
Arrow Diagram
http://www.royalambassadors.com/sports_activ_
graphic/archery_arrow.jpg
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Section One
CHAPTER 3: ARROWS AND OTHER
EQUIPMENT
3.2 Bracer, Sight, Stabilizer, Tab, and Quiver
All of these pieces of equipment are optional;
they are used to increase accuracy but may
or may not be helpful to all archers.
Equipment Labels
http://www.merlinarcherycentre.co.uk
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Section Two
Getting Started
CHAPTER 4: Technique
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
Establishing Stance
Adjusting Grip
Marking Finger Position
Preparing the Shot
Drawing the Bow
Anchoring
Aiming
Loosing
Following Through
CHAPTER 5: Safety
5.1
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Rules
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Section Two
CHAPTER 4: TECHNIQUE
4.1 Establishing Stance
Stance may be different for everyone;
practice will determine what is right for you.
Read all steps before attempting to
establish stance.
Stand relaxed, with your feet parallel to the target and
slightly apart. Your non-dominant hand and side of your
body should be closer to the target.
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Section Two
CHAPTER 4: TECHNIQUE
4.2 Adjusting Grip
The more you practice, the more natural it will
feel to have a loose grip on the bow. Read all
steps before attempting to adjust grip.
Keep a relaxed grip on the bow handle with your nondominant hand. You should be able to move your
fingers.
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Section Two
CHAPTER 4: TECHNIQUE
4.3 Marking Finger Position
Keep fingers below the arrow, with enough
space to not catch fletching. Read all steps
before attempting to mark finger position.
Position the string in the first groove of your first three
fingers and slide your hand up directly under the arrow
until there is no gap.
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Section Two
CHAPTER 4: TECHNIQUE
4.4 Preparing the Shot
Be sure your grip and stance are set; do not
adjust once the bow is lifted. Read all steps
before attempting to prepare the shot.
Extend your bow arm and raise it so it is level with the
target. Then raise the elbow of your drawing arm so it
is level with your shoulder height, or slightly above.
Turn your head to look directly at the target.
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Section Two
CHAPTER 4: TECHNIQUE
4.5 Drawing the Bow
Be sure to keep the arrow pointing straight
ahead and your body still. Read all steps
before attempting to draw the bow.
In a smooth motion, keeping your bow arm level with
the target and the elbow of the drawing arm up, draw
the bow string back to the side of your face.!
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Section Two
CHAPTER 4: TECHNIQUE
4.6 Anchoring
With practice, you will find a comfortable
position to anchor your bow. Stay consistent.
Read all steps before attempting to
anchor.
Draw the string fully back to your face so the string is
touching your nose and your hand is securely between
your neck and ear. You should be able to look directly
down the arrow shaft.
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Section Two
CHAPTER 4: TECHNIQUE
4.7 Aiming
A sight may be used to increase accuracy.
Take your time and practice finding your
target. Read all steps before attempting to
aim.
If the string is in front of your eye, you should be able to
look directly down the arrow to judge your left/right
alignment. Focus on the center of the target.
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Section Two
CHAPTER 4: TECHNIQUE
4.8 Loosing
Steady your bow before releasing gently.
YOU MUST FOLLOW THROUGH (next
step). Read all steps before attempting to
loose.
LET GO!!
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Section Two
CHAPTER 4: TECHNIQUE
4.9 Following Through
This step is critical to shooting accurately.
Practice before shooting. Read all steps
before attempting to follow through.
Your drawing hand should move back slightly, and your
head, bow arm and body should hold the same
position. Keep focusing on the target. Hold this pose for
approximately 2 seconds after the loose.!
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Section Two
CHAPTER 5: SAFETY
5.1 Rules
Rules apply to all types and levels of archery.
Failure to follow these rules could lead to
serious injury or damaged equipment.
1. Make sure the area you are using the bow in is
completely clear, and that no one could accidentally
walk within range of your bow. Be aware of arrow
deflection should you miss, as it may travel at
extreme angles to the target.
2. When drawing the bow, keep it level with the target.
Drawing high and then lowering the bow could be
very dangerous should a premature release
accidentally happen.
3. Inspect your
arrows for
damage
before
shooting. If
an arrow is
damaged, do
not shoot it
as it may
break upon
release.
FIGURE 5-A Spectator Safety
http://www.chateaudubroutel.com/img/archery_instructor
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Section Two
CHAPTER 5: SAFETY
5.1 Rules (cont’d)
4. Make sure arrows are long enough so they can not
be drawn off the rest and fall inside the bow.
5. When pulling arrows from a target make sure no one
is standing behind you.
6. Spectators must always stand behind the archer.
7. Never let anyone draw or shoot your bow if their
draw length is longer than yours. Over drawing of the
bow can cause damage to the bow.
8. Children must be
supervised by an adult
at all times!
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Child Safety
http://www.merlinarcherycentre.co.uk
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Section Three
Competing
CHAPTER 6: Scoring
6.1
Target Diagram
CHAPTER 7: Types of Archery
7.1
7.2
Target Archery
Field Archery
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Section Three
CHAPTER 6: SCORING
6.1 Point System
The point system is standard for most types
of archery. Note that the points are by circle,
not just by color.
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FIGURE 6-A
Target Points
http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/assets/images/
diagrams/outdoor-archery-target.gif
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Section Three
CHAPTER 7: TYPES OF ARCHERY
7.1 Target Archery
In target archery, competitors of any ability
have the opportunity to participate. It is the
most common type of competitive archery.
There are quite a number of different target archery
rounds, but generally, target archery consists of
archers shooting a fixed number of arrows at a
specified distance. That target is circular with 10
concentric rings. After an end of arrows, usually 3 or 6,
all arrows are scored. At the end of the day, the person
with the highest score wins.
Target archery is the only form of archery allowed in
the olympic games and has over a hundred member
nations throughout the world.
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Target Archery Competition!
http://www.merlinarcherycentre.co.uk
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Section Three
CHAPTER 7: TYPES OF ARCHERY
7.2 Field Archery
Field archery is more closely related with
hunting. There are more variables, which
make it harder to objectively compete.
Field archery takes place in the woods. The distances
are unfixed and are determined by the available space
and the course-setters ability to set out 14 or 28 targets
in safety.
The sort of round and distances shot can vary widely. A
Hunter and Field round comprise 28 targets each, with
four arrows being shot at each target. Other rounds will
include shooting at monochrome or colored pictures of
animals at marked or unmarked distances.
Factors that influence
the shot include the
lighting conditions, the
wide variety of terrain,
and the varying
distances. It demands
high levels of
concentration, but with a
wider spectrum of skills.!!!!
Field Archery
http://www.merlinarcherycentre.co.uk
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Section Four
APPENDIX
CHAPTER 8: Glossary
CHAPTER 9: Acknowledgments
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Section Four
CHAPTER 8: Glossary
This chapter defines commonly used archery
terms. These words appear in the manual;
page numbers are noted in parenthesis.
Arrow Rest (5) The area of the bow above the handle or
grip where the arrow sits. Also called Arrow Shelf.
Back of Bow (5) The side farthest away from you when you
hold bow in shooting position.
Brace Height (5) The distance from the string to the
deepest part of the handle or grip; this distance can be
changed by twisting the string tighter to increase the height
and untwisting it to decrease the height.
Bracer (9) Material attached to the forearm of the arm that
holds the bow to protect it from a string burn or keeps the
sleeve from catching on the string. Also called Armguard.
Cable Guard (7) The rod on compound bows which keeps
the cables away from the center of the bow so the arrow can
pass by without hitting the cables.
Crest[ing] (8) Bands of color used as decoration or for
identification on an arrow near the fletched end.
Fletching (8) The feathers or vanes used to stabilize an
arrow in flight.
Index Feather (8) The feather at right angle to the slit in the
nock of the arrow and usually a different color from the
remaining feathers.
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Section Four
Chapter 8: Glossary
[Arrow] Nock (8) The notch at the end of the arrow
designed to fit around the bowstring and hold the arrow in
place on the string.
Quiver (9) A piece of archery equipment that holds arrows.
It may be attached to the bow, placed on a belt, or carried
on your shoulder or back.
Riser (5) The middle part of a bow that has the grip, shelf,
sight window and other parts. This part of the bow does not
bend when pulling the string.
Shaft (8) The body or main section of the arrow. The term
"feathered shaft" is frequently used in print to designate an
arrow.
Sight (9) The aiming device on a compound arrow.
Stabilizer (9) A weight rod of various lengths and weights
that is attached to a bow to reduce vibrations and
supposedly give better control of grouping of shots.
Tab (9) A small piece of material placed between fingers
and string to protect the fingers while shooting a bow.!
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Section Four
CHAPTER 9: Acknowledgments
“A Beginner’s Guide to Archery” is based on
the Merlin Archery online guide. Listed photos
are from various sources.
Text and non-listed photos:
"Beginner's Guide to Archery." MAC Resource. Merlin Bows,
2007. Web. Nov. 2009
<http://www.merlinarcherycentre.co.uk/
resource/resource_beginners/beg_home.htm>.
Glossary Definitions:
"Archery Terms and Definitions." Archers-Friend.com. N.p., 2003.
Web. 26 Nov. 2009.
<http://www.archersfriend.com/archery-terms.html>.
Figure 1-A. Shooting Recurve. N.d. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov. 2009.
<http://www.dunkeld-park.co.uk/images/archery.jpg>.
Figure 1-B. Recurve Bow Diagram. N.d. N.p. n.d. Web. Nov.
2009. <http://www.archery.org.au/scripts/cgiip.exe/
WService=ASP0009/ccms.r?pageid=10214>.
Figure 2-A. Shooting Compound. N.d. N.p. n.d. Web. Nov. 2009.
<http://www.sydneybowmen.com/images/
Compound2.jpg>.
Figure 2-B. Compound Bow Diagram. N.d. N.p. n.d. Web. Nov.
2009. <http://www.archery.org.au/lib/images/content/
compound%201.jpg>.
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Section Four
Chapter 9: Acknowledgments
Figure 3-A. Arrow Diagram. N.d. N.p. n.d. Web. Nov. 2009.
<http://www.royalambassadors.com/sports_activ_graphic/
archery_Arrow.jpg>.
Figure 5-A. Spectator Safety. N.d. N.p. n.d. Web. Nov. 2009.
<http://www.chateaudubroutel.com/img/archery_instructor.
jpg>.
Figure 6-A. Target Points. N.d. N.p. n.d. Web. Nov. 2009.
<http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/assets/images/Diagrams/Outd
oor-archery-target.gif>.
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