Archery Unit
History of Archery… to current day
• Can be tracked to prehistoric times
• Played a major role in military history for thousands
of years
• People used bows to hunt for food and self-defense
• National Archery Association (NAA) formed 1879
• Archery is an olympic sport.
• Keep current in archery – www.usaarchery.org
• Visit Northern Dutchess Archery in Red Hook
Procedure
• We shoot by RHBC & Mr. King’s room out on
the practice field hockey field. The first and
last period of the day will assist in set up and
clean up, therefore only these two classes may
participate in street clothes with sneakers on,
no jewelry, hair tied back and no
skirts/dresses.
• All other classes change for regular PE
participation.
Warning!
• This is a sport that could kill someone. We
don’t use hunting bows or arrows. We use
recurve bows, but the arrows can still go into a
person’s body, strike an artery and someone
could bleed to death!
• Safety is of paramount importance.
• Always be conscious of the danger of a bow
and arrow.
The Set Up
• Stringing the bows - Yellow/Red/Wood
• Each bow has a string that matches it because it
matches its length and weight (15-20,20-30,25-35)
• The bow has a base where notch of bow holds the
string on one end (look for labels – LH/RH).
• Balance bow across right foot, step through with
left leg, use legs and butt as leverage to bend the
bow and attach string.
• Unstring bow same way.
The anatomy of the bow –
1 - handle or grip
2 - limb
3 - string & nocking point
4 - arrow rest
5 - nock or notch
Newton’s 2nd law of motion
• An object acting on another object creates an
equal and opposite force.
• The heavier the bow the __________ the
arrow goes.
• (faster or slower?)
Arrow
• The arrow should be as long
as your arm or a little longer.
• 3 colored feathers, 2 the
same and 1 odd feather.
• Once the arrow nocked into
the string, your bow is
loaded.
• Only aim at target.
The anatomy of the arrow – pile (tip or
point), shaft, knock
Inspect your equipment
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4 check points for the bow:
1 – check that the string is still in the bottom
of the bow
2 – make sure string isn’t frayed
3 – Make sure bow isn’t broken or cracked
4 – Check distance between bow and string –
use fist and thumb
The Target
• Targets are made of foam and have covers
with numbered rings on them from 0-10
points.
• The targets are held up by target stands, that
are set up like an easel.
• Targets are wire twisted to the stands, but can
fall down with a good wind gust.
The Line of Fire
• MARKED BY CONES AND
• SPRAY PAINT
Equipment needed…
• Guards for your arm (bow arm)
• Guards are only needed as a safety plan – it is
important that you keep your left elbow
turned out (or slightly rounded) to avoid
hitting it with the draw string.
• Band-aids or cloth athletic tape
Care and respect of equipment…
• Never walk on bows and arrows
• If a strong wind gust approaches, be ready to stop
firing your round, put bow down and wait for
command to retrieve.
• If the target stand falls, we will lose arrows.
• Be vigilant the shooting area is clear when firing
• Keep strings with appropriate bows (color coded)
• If grass is wet, don’t lay bow in it, carry with you.
Eye Dominance Assessment
Look at the Target or an object with both eyes open
Use hands to create a small triangle
That has about 1 inch sides arms must be
outstretched in front of you
Close Right Eye – if picture you just saw
Is still there you are LEFT EYE DOMINANT
Close Left Eye – if picture you just saw is still there
You are RIGHT EYE DOMINANT
Commands for safe archery rounds…
• Command 1 – Bows in Ready Position
• Command 2 – Load your bows
• Command 3 – “Clear on the range!
Fire when ready!”
• Command 4 – Retrieve arrows & record scores
Bow positions – loading & shooting
Shooting position- bow is
Perpendicular to ground
Loading position – bow parallel with ground
Loading and Shooting…
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•
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•
•
Non-dominant hand holds bow
Hold bow sideways to load (parallel to ground)
Your body should be perpendicular to target
Check feet shoulder width apart
Distribute weight evenly (if you lean forward =
arrow goes down, lean back = arrow goes up)
• Never release the bow string without an
arrow in it – it may break the bow or string.
Step 1 – Bows in ready position
Straddle line of fire
Be sure feet are parallel to each other
Toes should face the building if right handed
Bow should be held palm down but arm up
Check grip on bow – large end near your thumb
The string side of bow is closest to your belly
Your body is perpendicular to target
There is not an arrow in your hand
The teacher checks from the front of the firing line
Bows up and check your grip…
Step 2 – Load your bows…
Without moving feet, get an arrow
Place arrow on top of loaded bow
Keep odd color feather up (3 fletches – 2 colors)
Nock your arrow by placing it into nocking point of string
Check that arrow is guided by “arrow rest” of grip
DO NOT DRAW ARROWS BACK – THERE SHOULD NOT BE
ANY TENSION ON THE BOW YET!
Ready your draw hand…
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•
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Be sure to put fingers in proper position
Pointer finger on top
Middle and ring finger below
String should rest in first crease of finger just
under the finger nail
• Thumb and pinky may touch each other but
not the string.
•
Nock your arrow, set your grip…
Bows loaded on the line of fire
Line of fire, loaded & waiting for next
command…
Wait patiently for your safety check on
the line of fire – hold your position
until your teacher checks each person.
Step 3 – “Clear on the range - Fire
when ready…”
Draw string back as you rotate bow to
perpendicular position
Anchor draw hand on jaw bone
Aim down shaft of arrow
Release draw fingers to release arrow in flight
Students may fire 3 arrows in succession
Always take note of your surroundings
Never talk to people behind you
When done firing, put bow down and step back to
restraining line and wait for next command.
Corrections needed…
• Be sure not to CREEP – which is when one
allows the string hand to move forward just
before or during the release.
• Take time to HOLD – which is when one keeps
the arrow at full draw while aiming.
• Never draw an arrow past the bow handle.
• Never shoot an arrow straight up in the air.
• Never point an “armed” bow at a person.
Partner work on the range – each
shoot three arrows for a round
Note- if an arrow
discharges just in
front of the line of
fire, you must leave
it there !
Partner spacing on line of fire – be
sure to give each other room to rotate
bow without bumping into each other.
Partner work while
shooting arrows, go
at your own pace.
When done, step
back behind line of
fire, bow down and
wait for command
to retrieve.
Observe the follow through of Selena’s
upper right arm release after
discharging the arrow.
Step 4 – Retrieve and Record…
Only retrieve when given command
Note your scores for each arrow & record
Take arrows out at angle the went in at
Hold target at base of arrow while pulling
arrow out
Watch where arrows went, retrieve in
grass if necessary
Replace arrows to cones for next archer
Caution when retrieving arrows…
• Be careful of broken arrows in the targets.
• Be careful of your partner retrieving arrows,
never pull arrow out if partner is right next to
you or under you.
Bullseye!
Another Bullseye!
Katie’s success after adjusting form,
this is day two on the range…
Rebecca with a “10” but not an “X”
When recording score, this 10 point
bullseye counts greater than a regular
“10” - you get to mark an “X”
What is the
score of these
almost “splitting
arrows?”
If arrow is on
the line, round
up to next
whole number.
In archery, we
shoot an “end”
which is three
arrows. Tally the
score and see
how close to a
perfect score you
can get – (30pts)
Brittany shot 50%
or 15/30 pts.
Recording Scores…
Juniors & Seniors
will use scorecards
after first day.
Freshmen &
Sophomores will
only use
scorecards after
the first two days
on the range.
With practice and patience!
Archery puts a smile on your face!