Traditional Archery
Traditional archers shoot two primary bow designs – recurves and longbows. The bow you choose is largely personal preference. A recurve bow has swept tips that curve away from the archer. Recurves typically shoot arrows at faster speeds than what straight-limbed longbows can deliver
Archery is the practice or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow. The word comes from the Latin arcus. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat. In modern times, it is mainly a competitive sport and recreational activity. A person who participates in archery is typically called an archer or a bowman—and a person who is fond of or an expert at archery is sometimes called a toxophilite.
Archery was introduced for the first time at the Games of the II Olympiad, Paris 1900. It was then included on the program of the 1904, 1908 and 1920 Games before disappearing for over 50 years. The Games of the XX Olympiad, Munich 1972, saw the re-introduction of archery on the Olympic program. Women were able to compete in archery events at the 1904 and 1908 Games, then again like the men in 1972.
Origin
The bow and arrow are known to have been invented by the end of the Upper Paleolithic. Projectile points (used on spears or atlatl darts) are known from earlier prehistory, dating to the Middle Paleolithic. Bows eventually replaced spear-throwers as the predominant means for launching sharp projectiles on all continents except Australia.
Archery was an important military and hunting skill before the widespread and efficient use of firearms, throughout classical antiquity and the medieval period. Arrows were especially destructive against unarmored masses and the use of archers often proved decisive. Mounted archers combined range with speed and mobility. Archery is also featured prominently in the mythologies of many cultures.
Mounted Archery
Central Asian tribesmen (after the domestication of the horse) and American Plains Indians (after gaining access to horses) became extremely adept at archery on horseback. Lightly armored, but highly mobile archers were excellently suited to warfare in the Central Asian steppes, and they formed a large part of armies that repeatedly conquered large areas of Eurasia. Shorter bows are more suited to use on horseback, and the composite bow enabled mounted archers to use powerful weapons. Empires throughout the Eurasian landmass often strongly associated their respective “barbarian” counterparts with the usage of the bow and arrow, to the point where powerful states like the Han Dynasty referred to their neighbors, the Xiong-nu, as “Those Who Draw the Bow”.
Decline of Archery
The development of firearms rendered bows obsolete in warfare. Despite the high social status, ongoing utility and widespread pleasure of archery in Armenia, China, Egypt, England, America, India, Japan, Korea, Turkey and elsewhere, almost every culture that gained access to even early firearms used them widely to the neglect of archery. Early firearms were vastly inferior in rate-of-fire and were very susceptible to wet weather. However, they had longer effective range and were tactically superior in the common situation of soldiers shooting at each other from behind obstructions. They also required significantly less training to use properly, in particular penetrating steel armor without any need to develop special musculature. Armies equipped with guns could thus provide superior firepower and highly trained archers became obsolete on the battlefield. However, the bow and arrow is still an effective weapon and archers have seen action in the 21st century. Traditional archery remains in use for sport and for hunting in many areas.
Eighteenth Century Revival
Early recreational archery societies included the Fins bury Archers and the Kilwinning Papingo, established in 1688. The latter held competitions in which archers had to dislodge a wooden parrot from the top of an abbey tower. The Company of Scottish Archers was formed in 1676 and is one of the oldest sporting bodies in the world. It remained a small and scattered pastime, however, until the late 18th century when it experienced a fashionable revival among the aristocracy. Sir Ashton Lever, an antiquarian and collector, formed the Toxophilite Society in London in 1781, with the patronage of George, the Prince of Wales.
Mythology
Deities and heroes in several mythologies are described as archers, including the Greek Artemis and Apollo, the Roman Diana and Cupid, the Germanic Agilaz, continuing in legends like those of Wilhelm Tell, Palnetoke or Robin Hood. Armenian Hayk and Babylonian Marduk, Indian Arjuna, Abhimanyu, Eklavya, Karna, Bhishma, Drona, Parashurama Rama and Shiva and Persian Arash were all archers. Earlier Greek representations of Heracles normally depict him as an archer. The Nymphai Hyperboreioi were worshiped on the Greek island of Delos as attendants of Artemis, presiding over aspects of archery; Hekaerge , represented distancing, Loxo , trajectory and Oupis aim.
In East Asia, Yi the archer and his apprentice Feng Meng appear in several early Chinese myths and the historical character of Zhou Tong features in many fictional forms. Jumong, the first Taewang of the Goguryeo kingdom of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, is claimed by legend to have been a near-godlike archer. Archery features in the story of Oguz Khagan. In West African Yoruba belief, Osoosi is one of several deities of the hunt who are identified with bow and arrow iconography and other insignia associated with archery.
History
Archery, one of the oldest sports still practiced, is closely linked to the development of civilization. As a cultural advance, it was comparable to the discovery of fire and the invention of the wheel.
Archery in Battle
In 1200 BC the Hittites and Assyrians shot their bows from chariots, becoming fearsome opponents in battle. They made their bows with tendon, horn and wood and also developed a new re-curved shape. This made their bows shorter and more powerful, making them easier to handle for an archer on horseback.
A Noble History
Archery was the favorite sport of the Egyptian pharaohs during the 18th dynasty (1567-1320 BC). Many centuries later, some of the earliest recorded archery tournaments took place during the Zhou (Chou) dynasty (1027- 256 BC) in China. Such events were attended by Chinese nobility. Much later, English writers honored the longbow for famous contributions to their country’s victories in the battles of Crecy, Agincourt and Poitiers.
Most Decorated Archer
Archery first appeared in the Olympic Games in 1900, was contested again in 1904, 1908 and 1920, then again after an absence of 52 years, from 1972 to the present. The most decorated archer in Olympic history is Hubert Van Innis of Belgium who competed in 1900 and 1920, winning six gold and three silver medals.
Events
- Summer Olympics
Archery was first competed at the Summer Olympic Games in 1900 and, after a long hiatus from 1924, became a regular event from 1972. Team events were added in 1988. Recurve archery is currently the only discipline competed at the Olympics. Archery is also competed at the Summer Paralympics (recurve and compound disciplines), the Youth Olympic Games (recurve only) and the World Games (Field archery only).
- World Cup
The Archery World Cup is an annual event that was inaugurated in 2006. It is designed to present archery in ‘spectacular’ locations. The format consists of 4 rounds competed across the world during a calendar year. The best individual and mixed team performers across these rounds are then invited to compete in the World Cup Final at the end of the year.
- World Championships
FITA began holding Target World Championships in 1931. They were held every year until 1959, when the Championships became biennial events. 1959 was also the first year that FITA held the World Field Championship. Presently, there are five principal formats of the World Archery Championships: Outdoor, Indoor, Youth, Para-Archery, and Field. Each is held every two years on different rotations. World Championships are also held every two years in 3D archery and University sport. In 2007, a ski archery World Championships was held in Moscow; this is yet to be repeated and is not included in the current rotation.
- Other
Archery is an optional sport at the Universidad and the Commonwealth Games.
Game Rules
Archery Safety Tips & Rules
Every sport has rules and archery is no exception. The good news is that archery’s rules are clearly defined and very simple to understand. Below, you’ll find the basic guidelines of most archery ranges. Still archers are strongly encouraged to work with the certified archery instructor at their local range or pro shop to understand each location’s unique rules.
On the archery range, safety is the first priority. Though archery is one of the safest sports, rules are designed to keep everyone safe and to facilitate fair play in competition.
First, There are 3 Key Terms
The waiting line is exactly what it sounds like: a line that keeps archers in a designated waiting area until it’s their turn to begin shooting. In reality, this line can be a few yards or several feet behind the shooting area, but it is almost always clearly designated.
The shooting line mark where archers stand when actually shooting their bows. In World Archery and USA Archery sanctioned target archery tournaments, archers stand with one foot on either side of this line. In National Field Archery Association tournaments, archers stand directly behind the line.
The target line is often present at archery ranges, and is a line about 3-4 feet in front of the targets, which acts as a “speed bump” for younger archers approaching the targets to pull their arrows. Some instructors will ask archers to wait at the target line and take turns advancing to retrieve their arrows.
So How Do These Lines Actually Apply to Shooting?
Archers have to have a way of communicating with pro shop staff or coaches, and this communication is done using a whistle system. USA Archery, which follows World Archery rules, recommends the following whistle commands:
- Two whistle blasts: archers may proceed from the waiting line to the shooting line.
- One whistle blast: archers may place an arrow on the bowstring and begin shooting.
- Three whistle blasts: archers may walk forward to the targets and pull their arrows.
- Four or more whistle blasts: stop shooting immediately.
When Pulling Arrows, There are a Few Extra Guidelines That Must be Carefully Observed
- Archers are always expected to walk on the archery range.
- When retrieving arrows, archers approach the target slowly and go to either the right or left side of the target to pull.
- Archers always look behind them carefully before pulling each arrow.
Additional guidelines may apply. All archers are advised to follow the rules of the archery range where they choose to shoot, and obtain the advice of a certified instructor, including guidelines for those who are competing.
Equipment
- Armguard: A guard that, when an arrow is shot, protects the arm from being hit by the bowstring.
- Arrow: Arrows have a maximum diameter of 9.3 millimeters, although, for faster flight and less wind drift, most are as small as 5.5 millimeters. Each arrow must be marked with the competitor’s name or initials, while archers use distinctive colors for the nocks and vanes to distinguish their arrows.
- Bow: The bow’s draw weight is around 22 kilograms (48 pounds) for men, and over 17 kg (38 lbs.) for women. The bow consists of a riser and two limbs.
- Bowstring: The string of a bow Most strings are made of high-tech polyethylene fibers, which are stronger than steel.
- Chest guard: Plastic or leather, to keep clothing out of the way and to protect against a bowstring at release from injuring the body.
- Finger tab or shooting glove: A flat piece of leather worn as a guard to protect the finger when the arrow releases.
- Fletching: The real or artificial feathers at the back of an arrow designed to make it fly straight.
- Hand grip or handle: The handle of the bow.
- Quiver: A container for holding arrows, usually worn around the waist.
- Nock: The attachment on the rear end of an arrow that holds it in place on the bowstring.
- Sight: A mechanical device placed on the bow to help the archer aim also called a “bow sight”.
- Stabilizer: A weight mounted on the bow to stabilize it during and after a shot.
- Target: The target is 1.22 meters (48 inches) in diameter, but, to the archer, standing those 70 meters (86.4 yards) away, it appears about the size of a thumbtack held at arm’s length. The center of the target stands 1.3 meters above the ground. The center ring is 12.2 centimeters (4.8 in.) in diameter. There is also a smaller X10-ring, which is 6.1 centimeters (2.4 in.) in diameter. It does not give extra point but it serves as tie-breaker for the archers during qualifications or for world record.