Archery, the Bow & Arrow Art

Recently i was tempted to try shooting as a hobby, i mean archery :) Me and Krish had a chance to experience the ancient Paleolithic art of bow and arrow at Stars Archery, Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.  There are another branch located in Times Square as well. For more information check out http://www.lasports.com.my/ and https://www.facebook.com/StarsArcheryMalaysia/info

Coming back to my archery experience, i was kind of impressed with archery history and type of archery. Below is my summary what is archery all about :

Term of Archery 

Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat, while in modern times, its main use is that of a recreational activity. A person who participates in archery is typically known as an "archer" or "bowman", and one who is fond of or an expert at archery can be referred to as a "toxophilite"

 History of Bow & Arrow

Historians believe people have been using bows and arrows for at least 25,000 years, possibly longer, based on arrowheads discovered in Africa. The practice first started in the Stone Age as a safer method of hunting by the cavemen. Eventually it became an important aspect of warfare in the days before gunpowder. By then it had also become a popular sport in many countries.

During the middle ages, archery was the lowliest form of warfare. Archers were usually the lowest paid soldiers due to the cheapness of making a bow and arrow. Many archers belonged to the peasant class because the higher classes viewed the bow and arrow as being insufficient, or to use only for entertainment. 

However, this low view of archery was turned around when the Vikings used archery as their main weapon which gained them large success. By the time of the 100years war, the English had learned how to use archers to their advantage, rather that using swords men, who could not fight from a distance. By this time, archery was not for the lower class, and archers were recruited as children and trained meticulously until and throughout adulthood. Every boy that was recruited was given a bow that was as high as he was, and expected to learn on it. During battle, archers would typically shoot two arrows, one from a higher route and one from a lower route. This would hit the enemy at two different angles, which made it difficult for the enemy to defend themselves.  

Archery Components

Type of Archery

Traditional

 

Traditional archery is archery in its simplest and original form. Wooden arrows fletched with feathers, a wooden bow, shooting glove, bracer and quiver is all the equipment you need to compete along side other traditional archers.

Probably the most famous bow in the world is the English Longbow. A traditional archery bow. If a member of the public was asked to name a famous archer they would undoubtedly think of Robin Hood, and not the current Olympic Champion.

Recurve

 

The only bow style allowed at the Olympics is the recurve bow.

Modern engineering, sights, stabilizers and carbon arrows makes the modern recurve a far superior bow than it traditional predecessors, but there still limits on the types of equipment allowed.

Compound

The compound bow is designed for maximum accuracy. The eccentric cams on the end of the limbs assist the archer by reducing the holding weight when they reach full draw position. This improves the archers ability to hold steady and also accelerates the arrow from the bow increasing speed. A mechanical trigger called a release aid is used to let go of the string, telescopic sights are permitted. Almost anything is allowed provided it is not electronic or electrical.

How to play Archery 

• Don’t grip the bow with your fingers. Let it rest in your hand.
• Use the 45 degree angled grip with the fingers off the bow.
• Keep the arm straight without a bend in the elbow.
• Keep the elbow pointing sideways, not down. Don’t let it stick out into the path of the string.
• Push forward with the bow arm towards the target. Imagine the arm as a single unit and push with all of it.

Tips & Warnings

• Listen to your body. If something hurts after shooting, try to figure out why. Is the muscle simply tired, or is something strained?

• Getting into shape for anything should be done slowly. Don't push too hard at first, and don't expect to feel big changes in a single week.

• Use common sense whenever shooting your bow.

To get more clearer picture of the instructions, please view the video which i found in Youtube ( I personally felt the guidance given is good instruction for shooting ). So grab an arrow today and start shooting, folks :)