Archery is one of many medieval arts that continues to be in practiced today. Although style and technique have been modified (some may argue improved on) you can still pick up a bow without all the frills and triggers and gadgets and get a feel for the skill of the medieval archer. One of the many plusses of archery is it's versatility. Whether you're looking for a relaxing, peaceful way to unwind, a great sport to enjoy with friends and family, to shoot your own supper or win a tournament, archery is right on target. What follows is an introduction to archery, written in three parts, for beginners. It will cover equipment, safety and technique. Enjoy. Here's to many fun hours to come.
Poor archery technique and safety practices can result in serious injury and/or death. It is up to all individuals to be responsible for their own actions. The author, editor, Renaissance-Central.com and the distributors of this publication disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the practices or advice expressed herein.
PART 1
When we last met, you learned where to position your feet and you were left holding the bow straight out from your left shoulder with your grip aligned with the target. You may lower your arm.
Let's check your grip on the bow. The bow pad should push against the fleshy "mound of Venus" at the base of your thumb. Your first finger provides the balance; the other three fingers help to stabilize the bow.
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Now, look at your string. There should be a little bump on the string (called a nock), which acts as a guide to place the arrow. Hold the bow in a horizontal position fist down. |
Fit an arrow to the string above the nock (to the right, it this case) taking care to have the cock feather perpendicular to the string
Still holding the bow horizontally, using your right hand, hook your first, second and third fingers under the string with the nocked arrow between finger one and two. (The thumb and little finger don't have anything to do but stay out of the way.) The string should crease across the first joint of your three fingers.
You will not use the finger tab just yet. Gently grip the nocked arrow between fingers one and two. Keep the right hand straight. Don't squeeze the fingers. If you do, the arrow will lift off its shelf and point up.
- Feel where the string presses against the first joints of your three fingers. Keep reminding yourself that your hand is going to pull back with a flat motion; that your fingers are going to act as hooks only, and that there will be no squeezing.
- Very slowly, keeping the bow in a horizontal position, pull the string with the nocked arrow back about two inches. Again, feel the pressure on your finger joints as the string is slowly pulled back. Feel the string crease into your bent joints. Practice this several times, pulling no more than five or six inches toward you. If the arrow lifts off the grip shelf, you are squeezing your fingers.
- Practice pulling with the opposite of a squeeze and see if you can make the arrow stay on the shelf as you gradually right the bow to a vertical position. (You are still pulling only about five or six inches back; just enough to put tension on the bowstring.)
Once you can get the bow vertical without having the arrow slip off the shelf, try tipping the bow further to the left about 45 degrees. Will your hand pressure keep the arrow pressed against the bow? If it does, you are doing it correctly.
Incorrect: arrow lifts off the shelf. |
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Correct: arrow remains on the shelf. |
The arrow is staying on the shelf only because of your correct pressure on the string. If it starts to move off the shelf, you are squeezing your fingers. When you can accomplish this pulling exercise ten times in a row without letting the arrow fall off the shelf, you are ready to complete your draw. Put the arrow back in the quiver.
Never pull the bowstring back to its full distance without an arrow nocked. This puts undue strain on the arms of your bow. Although with the new synthetic bows, this may not be as important. If you're using a wood bow, it would be a good idea not to let others pull your bow. Wood bows tend to adapt to the owner's pull. Another person may over pull it, which could affect its handling for you later.
- Hold the bow out toward the target again in a vertical position.
- Without touching the string, imagine that you are pulling it back so that your hand comes under your chin.
- Without touching the string, "pull" your three fingers back under your chin.
- Imagine where the string would be. It should be touching the center of your chin and the tip of your nose while the top of your hand is pressed along the underside of your jaw. Imagine that.
- Imagine also, that you will be looking (with your right eye) between the right side of the pulled string and the left side of the bow over the tip of the drawn arrow.
- Imagine that the tip of the arrow will be pointed not at the bull's eye, but at the bottom of the straw bale, directly below the center of the target.
- Imagine that you can feel the pulled string rolling off your finger joints. Imagine that. As the string rolls off, your hand will be open and should "kick" back along the side of your chin and ear. Hold it there.
If you can't pull the string back to your chin yet, don't get discouraged. With regular practice you'll build up the strength.
Now, nock an arrow,
- Suck in your breath as you pull the string back to your chin and nose (your anchor point)
- Hold your breath
- Point the tip of the arrow at the base of the straw and let the string roll off your fingers.
- Exhale
Keep holding the bow in position. Where is your right hand? If it is touching your ear, you have followed through on your release. Are your feet still in line with the target? Are your shoulders pointed to the target? Where did the arrow land?
(Look for On Target Part 3 in our next issue)
Photos by S.E. Turner
About Author
Mr. Turner became an archer in college. When fencing class was cancelled he chose archery as an alternate and proceeded to become an inter-collegiate champion archer. He is a retired public school teacher, enjoying a second career as a freelance writer and still practices the sport today. |
