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Brian Conrad
AP English Language and Composition
K. Saunders
29 May 2013
Archery
Archery is one of the oldest practices in human history that is still performed today. The
development of the bow and arrow revolutionized the world of hunting, warfare, and
competition. Without the creation of the art of archery, mankind would not be the most proficient
hunters on the earth. The history of the bow, the detailed process of shooting an arrow in
competition, and the influence of constantly evolving technology has enabled the ancient
practice of archery to maintain relevance in the modern world.
Though the concept of a bow and arrow has remained similar throughout history,
multiple cultures developed different styles of the weapon as well as different practices of
utilizing them. Archery can be traced back to Ancient Egypt around 3500BC where soldiers were
using bows as tall as themselves. These tall bows, or longbows, were later improved and heavily
utilized by the English military until the development of firearms around the year 1500 (The
National Archery Association). The longbow typically consisted of a straight piece of wood,
such as yew, that was carved into shape with the handle wrapped in leather (Engh 4). These
English longbows devastated enemy forces in battle because of their ability to accurately launch
arrows at targets within two hundred and fifty yards. The English monarchy emphasized the
importance of the longbow so much as to ban all other sports and force English men to practice
shooting the longbow on all days of the year (The National Archery Association).
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While the English were able to take the Egyptian concept of the longbow and maximize
its effectiveness, the Assyrians developed a whole new type of bow two thousand years after the
Egyptians’ longbow, known as the recurve bow (The National Archery Association). The
recurve bow consists of a short single piece of wood where the limbs curve in two different
directions which allows for a smoother arrow release and transfer of power (Engh 4). The
smaller recurve bow provided for more maneuverability than the Egyptian longbow, allowing the
Assyrians to effectively fire arrows with the recurve bow while on horseback. The Parthians, a
clan in central Asia, began to utilize the recurve bow so effectively that they could fire arrows
backwards while on a galloping horse, creating the Parthian Shot. Uses for the recurve bow were
further discovered by the Hittites who fired the recurve bow from chariots. The Romans around
500AD are responsible for the modern practice of firing an arrow by bringing the bow to the face
when firing, rather than the chest, allowing for a more accurate shot (The National Archery
Association).
When the European colonists arrived in America, they were in possession of more
advanced weaponry like muskets and pistols and did not have a need for the practice of archery.
The Native Americans utilized the bow for means of hunting and warfare until they began to
mass trade with the colonists and obtained rifles, making archery obsolete in America. It was not
until after the Civil War when archery began to make a drastic return due to the fact that
Confederate soldiers were not allowed to own firearms after the war. Due to the mass production
and easy availability of firearms in modern times, archery has become a competitive sport and
hobby, rather than an essential means of survival (The National Archery Association). Archery
was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1900 and competitions are often held at smaller venues
worldwide (McGrath 35).
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While the practicality of the bow as a weapon of warfare is diminishing due to modern
technology, the bow maintains importance in its both hunting and competition. Archery in the
Olympic Games is the best known competition for the sport, managed by the Federation
Internationale de Tir a l'Arc, or the English acronym FITA. FITA sets the rules and regulations
for world championships in archery and typically smaller informal competitions follow the same
standards (The National Archery Association).
Archery competitions were traditionally held outdoors, but indoor competitions are held
as well as individual and team events. In an indoor competition, the archer stands behind a line
that is typically eighteen to twenty-five meters away from the target. The indoor targets range
from forty to sixty centimeters in diameter depending on how far away from the target the archer
is. In outdoor competitions, archers stand farther from the target than archers indoor
competitions at ranges typically spanning from thirty to ninety meters for the more experienced
archers. Archery targets vary in size according to the distance the archer must stand from the
target; the greater the distance the larger the diameter of the circular target. In indoor
competitions, targets are typically forty centimeters in diameter at eighteen meters and sixty
centimeters in diameter at twenty-five meters. Eighty centimeter targets are used for distances of
thirty and fifty meters in outdoor competitions, while the largest one hundred and twenty-two
centimeter targets are used at distances of seventy and ninety meters, like in the Olympic Games
(Russell).
To keep the competitions organized and fair, archers take turns shooting three to six
arrows at the target in a round, known as an “end”. Indoor archery competitions typically consist
of twenty ends in which each archer gets three shots. Outdoor competitions allow for more shots
than in indoor competitions, sometimes the archer fires as many as six arrows. The competitor
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usually has two minutes to shoot three arrows from their set distance when given the order to
fire. At the completion of each end, the archer walks to the target to retrieve their arrows and
determine their score (Russell).
To assist in determining a score in archery, FITA has designed targets that use a point
based ring system. The circular target is marked with ten evenly spaced rings, each representing
a point value from one to ten. The tenth ring, or the “X” ring, is the innermost ring and the archer
will be given ten points if they are able to land an arrow within the boundaries of the ring. Rings
on the target are different colors to help the archers differentiate between the rings. The most
outer first and second rings are white, the third and fourth rings are black, the fifth and sixth
rings are blue, the seventh and eighth rings are red, and the most inner ninth and tenth rings are
gold (Russell).
Though speed is crucial in competition since the archer has only two minutes to shoot
their arrows, accuracy is most essential in competition since an archer’s score is based off of how
close they can get to the center of the target. An archer’s score in a competition is determined by
the sum of their points they have earned from landing the arrows in the rings. The competitor’s
goal is to land the most arrows in the center of the target, or the X ring. In outdoor competitions,
the X ring is a tiebreaker, meaning that whoever hits the X the greatest number of times is
declared the winner. If an arrow happens to land on the boundary of two rings, the archer is
given the points from the higher of the two rings. If the arrow passes through the target or
bounces off, the mark where the arrow hit the target will be scored. If a conflict arises when an
archer is determining their score, a judge is called forth to give the official ruling. Shots are
recorded in descending order on the score card from the amount of points they are awarded,
regardless of when the shot was fired in competition (Russell).
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While professional archers appear to make shooting an arrow seem quite simple and
effortless, in reality, there are many factors that play into proper shooting technique that make
firing an arrow quite a difficult process. To achieve the most precise shots, an archer must have a
strong stance and solid release. When an archer prepares to fire an arrow, they must first assume
a stance. There are four main types of stances in archery; the even stance, the open stance, the
closed stance, and the oblique stance (Lee, Todd and Chen).
The even stance is easy to reproduce and is a quite natural position, making it appealing
to the novice archer, but the lack of stability and string clearance the stance provides makes it
impractical for more advanced archers. In the even stance, the archer distributes their weight
evenly among both feet with their heels and toes aligned, while aligning the middle of the instep
of their foot with the center of the target (Lee, Todd and Chen).
While the even stance is recommended for novice archers, the open stance is advised for
beginner archers during their initial learning period. The feet should be shoulder-width apart in
the open stance with the archer’s body weight evenly distributed on both feet, similar to the even
stance. In the open stance however, the archer turns their foot that is nearest to the target about
six inches outward in order to open their hips to the target. The open stance gives the archer a
stable base and reduces the archer’s tendency to lean back from the target, but the stance tends to
make the upper body twist towards the target and utilizes more arm muscles than back muscles
(Lee, Todd and Chen).
Like the even and open stance, the closed stance is a simple stance to perform. In the
closed stance the archer straddles the shooting line with their weight evenly distributed among
both feet. The front foot of the archer is moved forward in order to align the heel of the front foot
with the toe of the back foot. The closed stance gives the archer a stable base and aligns the
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archer’s arm and shoulder in direct line to the target. The negative side of the stance is that it
reduces string clearance, giving a greater chance of the string striking the body on release, and
that the stance tends to make the archer lean away from the target and overdraw the arrow (Lee,
Todd and Chen).
Unlike the even, open, and closed stance, the oblique stance is difficult to perform and is
typically only used by experienced archers. In the oblique stance, the archer places the toe of
their front foot on the shooting line at a forty-five degree angle to the target. The heel of the back
foot is placed in line with the toe of the front foot, allowing the bow arm to maintain a position
where there is optimum clearance of the bowstring upon release. The body is totally balanced in
the oblique stance and the target can be seen clearly, but due to the difficult maintenance of the
stance, the oblique stance is typically utilized by advanced archers (Lee, Todd and Chen).
After the archer has assumed their preferred stance, the process of shooting an arrow
begins. In the shooting process, the archer goes through four different steps; nocking the arrow,
drawing the bow, pulling to the anchor point, and releasing the arrow and following through.
Each step in the process of shooting an arrow is essential and must be performed perfectly if the
archer desires to make the most accurate shot (Lee, Todd and Chen).
To complete the process of nocking the arrow, the archer must properly place the arrow
on the bow string in shooting position. The archer holds the bow pointed down at about waist
level and rests the arrow on the arrow rest or the top of the hand holding the bow. The arrow is
slid back towards the string so that the back of the arrow, or nock, is locked onto the string. In a
typical nocking position, the arrow forms a ninety-degree angle with the bowstring (Lee, Todd
and Chen).
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After the archer nocks an arrow, they must ensure that they are holding the bow properly
for their shot. The slightest issue when holding the bow could result in an inaccurate shot. The
archer must keep the bow placed between their thumb and index finger, with all fingers relaxed.
Archers often become fatigued when gripping a bow and use a supination technique to reduce
the effects. The archer rotates their thumb counterclockwise against the bow handle while
extending their thumb towards the target to perform supination (Lee, Todd and Chen).
With a proper bow hold and proper stance, an archer has a strong base for a precise shot.
When drawing the arrow, the archer must maintain stability and concentration when bringing the
arrow back to the anchor point. The anchor point is the place on the archer’s face where the
archer draws the bowstring back to at full draw. An archer must choose an anchor point that is
comfortable for them so that they can obtain the greatest amount of concentration during a shot.
Archers can use two different types of anchor points when they are drawing back an arrow; a
high anchor point and a low anchor point. With a high anchor point, the archer draws the arrow
back just underneath the eye or beside the eye. If an archer chooses to utilize a low anchor point,
the archer draws the arrow to the jaw or just underneath it. After drawing the arrow back to the
anchor point, the archer must focus on the target and aim their shot (Lee, Todd and Chen).
Once the archer reaches the anchor point when fully drawing a bow, they take aim at the
center of the target and release their shot. Relaxation and concentration are emphasized
throughout the process of shooting an arrow, but they are critical when it comes to releasing an
arrow. The fingers placed on the bowstring should be relaxed and the head should be looking at
the target and following the arrow on follow through. The arm holding the bow should be
extended toward the target with all the fingers relaxed through the follow through. To assist in
the process of shooting an arrow, archery accessories and technological improvements have been
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pursued to make the archer more comfortable to obtain maximum accuracy when firing an arrow
(Lee, Todd and Chen).
Though the main materials in archery have remained similar throughout history, modern
technology has enabled the development of many new materials to revolutionize the sport of
archery. The bow has always been the primary item needed in archery and they come in many
different forms. There are five main types of bows which are the longbow, the recurve bow, the
crossbow, the compound bow, and the short bow (Buenovista). The modern bow is typically
constructed of carbon fiber and other composite materials, rather than traditional wood (McGrath
35). Modern technology has also enabled the bow to become more portable by creating
takedown model bows, particularly the takedown model recurve bow. The takedown model
recurve bow allows the archer to separate the bow into two limbs and a handle, allowing for
greater portability (Engh 4).
The bow string allows the bow to curve and is critical in the process of sending the arrow
in flight. The bow string is often made with synthetic fiber, plant fiber, or animal materials. The
center of the bowstring where the arrow is nocked is often wrapped in thread to give the arrow
support on the draw and release (Buenovista).
The arrow is the ammunition used in archery and has improved immensely since its
simple wooden origins. Arrows are produced in a wide variety of sizes and materials to fulfill the
needs of different bows and the intentions of the archer. The spine of the arrow is essential in the
consideration of which arrow to use for the activity or bow. The spine refers to the arrow’s
degree of stiffness and is determined from the material of the arrow, the thickness of the wall of
the arrow shaft, the diameter and length of the arrow shaft, and the weights of various arrow
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parts. If the arrow has a weak spine and the bow has a heavy draw weight, the arrow could
shatter on impact (Engh 18).
The length of the shaft of the arrow must also be appropriate for the size of the bow being
used. A tall bow, such as a longbow, would need an arrow with a long arrow shaft so the arrow
could still be able to rest on the bow at full draw. The arrow shaft is produced in a variety of
materials, such as wood, fiberglass, aluminum, and carbon, to achieve different levels of spine.
Cedar is preferable for making traditional arrows but cedar arrows are prone to breaking under
high bow weights and can warp from humidity. Fiberglass arrows are inexpensive but are prone
to splitting and splintering. Aluminum arrows are preferred among serious target archers and
bow hunters, and can be straightened and reused if bent. Carbon arrows are used for their
straightness and thin diameter, allowing for less wind resistance which helps maintain velocity
better at long ranges. Composite arrows are the most modern development in arrows and often
use bonds on aluminum and carbon to take advantage of both materials (Engh 18-19).
Despite modern technology constantly impacting the ancient origins of archery, the art of
archery is still widely respected and practiced. Archery has lost importance in the world of
warfare but has maintained relevance in both competition and hunting. Archery’s rich history,
detailed process, and rapidly evolving materials will maintain enthusiasm for the art for
centuries.
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Works Cited
Buenovista, Lori. "Different Materials Used in Archery." 1 June 2011. Ezine Articles. 15 May
2013 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Different-Materials-Used-In-Archery&id=6316410>.
Engh, Douglas. Archery Fundamentals. Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc., 2005.
Lee, Alex, Marianna Todd and Ching-Huai Chen. "Proper Shooting Technique." 1999. Archery:
Sport of Champions. 15 May 2013 <http://library.thinkquest.org/27344/technique.htm>.
McGrath, Kimberley A. "Archery." McGrath, Kimberley A. World of Sports Science. Thomson
Gale, 2007. 35-36.
Russell, Michael. Archery Competition: Introduction, Rules, & Scores. 12 June 2006.
The National Archery Association. "A History of Archery." n.d. www.lakesidearchery.com. 15
May 2013 <http://www.lakesidearchery.com/history.html>.
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The National Archery Association. "A History of Archery." n.d. www.lakesidearchery.com. 15
May 2013 <http://www.lakesidearchery.com/history.html>.
Archery is one of the oldest arts of ancient times which is still practiced today. From its
first development until the 1500s, the bow was man's constant companion and has been the most
widely used of all weapons in recorded history. The bow allowed the prehistoric human to
become the most efficient hunter on earth, providing him safety, food and raw materials such as
bone, sinew and hide (The National Archery Association).
Starting with the reign of William the Conqueror, the bow was England's principal
weapon of national defense for several centuries. Around the year 1200, Genghis Khan and his
Mongol hordes conquered much of the known world employing short, powerful bows. For
Native Americans, archery was the means of subsistence and existence during the days of
English and later American colonization. Finally, after the bow's replacement by firearms as a
weapon of war, archery became a favored sport, thus securing its continuous practice throughout
history (The National Archery Association).
The use of the bow appears in folklore from over 3000 years ago, although its invention
probably predates that era. The development of archery followed a course of key innovations by
many historical cultures. About 3500 BC., Egyptians were using bows as tall as themselves.
Their arrowheads, originally constructed of flint, were later made of bronze. Almost 2000 years
later, the Assyrians developed the shorter recurve bow, which provided more power and easier
handling. One central Asian clan, the Parthians, became famous for their ability to shoot
backwards from a galloping horse, making the Parthian shot a meaningful phrase in our
language. At about 1200 BCE, the Hittites developed the skill of shooting from moving chariots,
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and around 500 AD, the Romans, formerly second-rate archers, began to draw the arrow to the
face rather than the chest, giving the shot more accuracy (The National Archery Association).
Crossbows and the later developed longbow were the primary defense against massed
cavalry. In the battles of Crecy and Agincourt in France, in the 14th century, English longbows
overcame frightful odds against mounted, fully armored knights to win the advantage. These
longbows had draw weights of from 60 to 120 pounds, and were often used at ranges up to 250
yards. From 1330 to 1414, English kings banned all other sports because they diverted time from
archery and a royal decree of 1363 required all Englishmen to practice archery on Sundays and
holidays. The advent of gunpowder lead to a decline in popularity for archery as a tool of war,
but it never completely died away, particularly among peasant poachers in the King's woods
(The National Archery Association).
The National Archery Association of the United States had its origin as a result of just
such a turn in our own country's history. After the Civil War, Confederate soldiers were not
allowed to own firearms. Two brothers - J. Maurice and William H. Thompson - learned to hunt
with the bow and arrow and became accomplished archers in Florida. Maurice's seminal book,
"The Witchery of Archery", along with his poetry, continues to charm people to archery to the
current day. They were both founding members of the NAA in 1879 at Crawfordsville, Indiana
(The National Archery Association).
Archery became an official event in the modern Olympic Games in 1900 and was also
featured in 1904, 1908 and 1920. International rules had not yet been developed, though, and
each host country used its own rules and format. Because of the resulting confusion, the sport
was eliminated from the Olympic program until 1972 (The National Archery Association).
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The Federation Internationale de Tir a l'Arc (FITA), was founded in 1931 as the
international governing body for the sport of archery. The organization implemented
standardized, international rules for competition which allowed the first World Championship to
be held that same year. In 1972, after enough countries had adopted FITA's rules, archery was re-
admitted to the Olympic Games. Since that time, technology has greatly advanced the
equipment, and some competitive formats have become obsolete. Archery has become wedded to
skiing in the sport of Ski-Archery, with running in Arcathalon, and the compound bow, invented
in 1966 by Wilbur Allen of Missouri, has been accepted in FITA and may soon join the Olympic
recurve bow in Olympic competition (The National Archery Association).
Lee, Alex, Marianna Todd and Ching-Huai Chen. "Proper Shooting Technique." 1999. Archery:
Sport of Champions. 15 May 2013<http://library.thinkquest.org/27344/technique.htm>.
The stances are important because the proper stance means that archer will be able to
distribute his/her body weight better. Proper stance keeps the archer’s shot consistent. Based on
the scientific criteria, the open and oblique stances are better (Lee, Todd and Chen).
Many archers prefer the even stance. In this stance, the archer’s body weight is evenly
distributed among both feet, and the heels and toes are aligned. The middle of the instep of the
foot is aligned with the center of the target. However, the open stance is recommended for the
beginning archer during their initial learning period. In this stance, the feet should be shoulder-
width apart. It is recommended that the archer should distribute his/her body weight evenly on
both feet. The left foot should be moved backwards approximately six inches. (Lee, Todd and
Chen).
Some elite archers use the oblique stance. In this stance the archer places his/her toe of
the left foot nearest the target on a line and pivoting the left foot forty-five-degrees to the target.
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The heel of the right foot is then placed in line with the toe of the left foot. This allows the bow
arm to remain in a position where there will be optimum clearance of the bowstring when the
arrow is released. The target should be seen clearly while using the oblique stance (Lee, Todd
and Chen).
In a closed stance, the shooting line is straddled and weight is evenly distributed among
both feet. Left foot is moved forward a few inches so a heel-toe alignment exists between the left
and right feet (Lee, Todd and Chen).
The four main steps in shooting are: Nocking, Drawing, Anchor Point, Release and
Follow Through. These steps must be followed and done correctly to achieve greater accuracy
(Lee, Todd and Chen).
Nocking the arrow is the proper placement of the arrow in its shooting position on the
bowstring. Shooting starts when the archer holds the bow next to the hip near the target.
Nocking begins when the archer has assumed his/her stance position. The arrow should be
placed on the bowstring with the index feather upward at the serving. Nocking points are placed
slightly wider than the width of the arrow nock so adjustments can be made as needed. A ninety-
degree angle is formed between the arrow and bowstring (Lee, Todd and Chen).
The bow is placed only between the thumb and index finger. The index finger may wrap
around the bow but it should not grip it. Keep all the fingers relaxed. When the archer becomes
fatigued or loses concentration, there is a simple technique to relieve that problem. This
technique is called supination, which is a very slight counterclockwise rotation of the thumb
against the bow handle while concurrently extending the thumb on forward toward the target.
Many archers use this technique mainly just to reduce their fatigue (Lee, Todd and Chen).
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Before raising the bow, body position should be aligned and already assume the proper
stance. Then gently raise the bow and look at the target. This is called nocking. Then simply
draw out the arrows and aim at the target (Lee, Todd and Chen).
Anchor Point is defined as the place on an archer’s face where the hand is placed
consistently with the bowstring at full draw. Proper and comfort anchor points could increase the
archer’s accuracy. It plays a great part in aiming and hitting the target. Anchor points are
described as "high", or "low". The anchor point on or under the jaw bone is termed low, An
anchor point on or near the bone inferior and also lateral to the eye is considered high (Lee, Todd
and Chen).
When the bow is drawn, the sight level and bow level must be aligned properly to
achieve maximum accuracy. Poor alignment could occur due to fatigue or possibly bad habit in
practice. To reduce this problem, beginners should rehearse the correct bow alignment and
choose the bow weight that best suits each individual (Lee, Todd and Chen).
Releasing the arrow properly is the most important fundamental in shooting. To follow
through simply means to hold the release position until the arrow is safely launched onto the
target. The key elements of success are relaxation and concentration. A good follow through
involves: the fingers on the bowstring hand are relaxed, the head and eyes are turned toward the
target following the flight of the arrow, the bow arm is extended toward the target, and the bow
hand is gripping the bow with the help of a sling (Lee, Todd and Chen).
The bow hold should be easy and relaxed. The palm should only gently touch the nock.
Once the arrow is released, one must still keep both of your hands and arms steady even after the
release of the arrow, otherwise, the arrow might not be accurate after the release (Lee, Todd and
Chen).
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Buenovista, Lori. "Different Materials Used in Archery." 1 June 2011. Ezine Articles. 15 May
2013 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Different-Materials-Used-In-Archery&id=6316410>.
The bow is the primary thing needed in archery. The five types of bows include the
longbow, bow, the crossbow, the compound bow and the short bow (Buenovista).
The bowstring is what makes the bow has its curved shape. Many bow strings are often
made with synthetic fiber materials, plant fibers and animal materials. The center of the
bowstring is a thread that often gives support to the arrow (Buenovista).
The shaft is the end or the tip of the arrow. Traditional cedar arrow shafts or arrow shafts
are usually made from wood. Wood shafts are common to beginners because of their light
materials. Bow hunters and players make use of the aluminum shaft. Carbon materials maintain
velocity because they are susceptible and wind resistant (Buenovista).
Engh, Douglas. Archery Fundamentals. Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc., 2005.
Longbow: simple straight piece of wood carved into shape. The longbow originated in
Europe and was made of a variety of local woods like yew. When the longbow came to
America, osage orange became a popular wood for bow makers. The handles are
typically wrapped in leather and the arrow rests on the shooter’s hand or in a notch cut
above the handle (Engh 4).
Recurve bows: Modern improvement over longbow because the limbs curve in two
different directions which allows the bow to have a smoother release and power transfer.
Recurve bows are the only bows allowed in Olympic competition. One piece recurve
bows are made from a single piece of laminated wood or synthetic material. Consisting of
a single piece, the bow can have a smaller handle which allows the limbs to be shorter,
making the bow easier to handle. A takedown model recurve bow allows the bow to
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separate into a handle and two limbs. The handle tends to be longer and the breakdown
allows greater portability (Engh 4).
Compound bow: known for the combination of limbs and mechanical wheels that store
the draw’s energy. The bow is designed to let off the weight of the draw, allowing the
archer to hold the bow back at full draw for longer periods of time. The compound bow’s
mechanical wheels also make it easier to use a heavier draw weight bow because the
weight is only felt briefly during the draw and not throughout the full process of aiming
and releasing (Engh 5)
Arrow composition:
Spine: the arrow’s degree of stiffness. The material from which the arrow is made, the
thickness of the wall of the arrow shaft, the diameter and length of the arrow shaft, and
the weights of various arrow parts affect spine. Arrow charts are made with having the
first two digits in the number indicating the shaft diameter in 64ths of an inch and the
second two digits indicate the wall thickness in 1000ths of an inch. The chart assists in
choosing arrows with the proper spine for the bow (Engh 18).
Shaft composition: The shaft of the arrow is typically made from wood, fiberglass,
aluminum, and carbon. Wood is the traditional arrow material and the preferred wood for
arrows tends to be cedar. Cedar arrows are prone to breaking under high bow weights or
from striking a hard target, and the arrow can also warp due to humidity. Fiberglass is
used for arrows where quantity is more important than quality, like with wooden arrows.
Fiberglass arrows are prone to splitting so inspection is important. Aluminum arrows are
common among target archers and bow hunters. If they become bent they can often
become straightened and reused. Carbon arrows are known for their straightness and thin
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diameter, giving them less wind resistance than thicker arrows which allows them to
maintain their velocity better at longer ranges. Composite arrows are the most modern
arrows that often use bonds of aluminum and carbon to seek advantage of both materials
(Engh 18-19)
Russell, Michael. Archery Competition: Introduction, Rules, & Scores. 12 June 2006.
Rules and Regulations: Archery competitions of the International Archery Association are held
both indoors and outdoors. For indoor competitions, archers stand 18 or 25 meters away from the
target. Outside competition distance ranges from 30 meters to 90 meters if there are senior
archers. In the Olympic Games, archers shoot from a distance of 70 meters. Common target sizes
are 40 cm at 18 meters, 60 cm at 25 meters, 80 cm at 30 and 50 meters, and 122 cm targets are
used at 70 and 90 meter distances, like the Olympic Games. Competitions are separated into
“ends”, where the archer is allowed to shoot three to six arrows depending on the type of round.
After each end the archer goes to the target to retrieve their arrows and determine their scores.
Indoor competitions typically consist of twenty ends with three shots. Outdoor competitions
typically allow more shots per end. Competitors shoot from a set line when given the signal to
fire. Typically the archer has two minutes to fire three arrows (Russell).
Scoring: The archery targets used in competition are marked with ten evenly spaced rings. Each
ring represents a value from one to ten, ten being the innermost ring and one being on the most
outer ring. The tenth ring is also known as the “X” ring. In outdoor competitions, the X ring is a
tiebreaker meaning that whoever hits the X the greatest number of times wins. The first and
second rings are white in color, the third and fourth rings are black, the fifth and sixth rings are
blue, the seventh and eight rings are red, and the ninth and tenth rings are gold. The archer’s
score is determined by the sum of the shots. If the arrow lands on the boundary of two rings, the
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archer is given the higher scoring ring. Scores are recording on a sheet in descending order,
regardless of when the arrow was shot. No one is allowed to touch the arrows before or during
scoring, and when conflicts arise in scoring, a judge is called to rule the score. If the arrow
passes through or bounces off, the mark or hole will be counted (Russell).
McGrath, Kimberley A. "Archery." McGrath, Kimberley A. World of Sports Science. Thomson
Gale, 2007. 35-36.
Archery is one of the oldest competitive activities. The Chinese, indigenous North
Americans, and early Europeans put value in the ability of being able to fire a bow and arrow.
Legends of William Tell and Robin Hood spread awareness about archery. When the English
armies stopped the use of archers in the 1600s in exchange for rifles and cannons, archery
became a popular competitive sport (McGrath 35).
Archery was put into the Olympics in 1900 but removed in 1920 because of countries
disputing over appropriate rules. Archery was reinstated to the Olympics in 1972 and became a
wheelchair sport in the Summer Paralympics (McGrath 35).
FITA is the international archery federation and is the governing body of the sport of
archery worldwide. Men’s and women’s archery is organized in individual competitions and
team competitions. Target distances for men are 30, 50, 70, and 90 meters. Target maximum
target distance for women is 70 meters. The archer that hits closest to the bull’s-eye the most
amount of times is the winner. Physical strength and fitness are important in archery, but archery
is not a sport where physical size is the primary importance (McGrath 35).
The modern bow is typically constructed of carbon fiber and other composite materials
that create a maximum degree of response to the pull of the archer. Before the archer draws back
the bow string, the potential energy available to the archer lies in their arm and shoulder muscles.
Conrad 20
Whenever the bow string is drawn, the potential energy transfers from the archer to the bow
string and upon release the energy becomes kinetic and sends the arrow into flight. The arrow’s
flight is determined by the velocity of which it is released, the angle, the mass of the arrow, and
the impact of air resistance and wind (McGrath 35).
General physical qualities in an archer are strength in the abdominal, lumbar, and groin
regions to provide stability when firing. Aerobic fitness and ability to control heart rate during
stress assists in more accurate shots from the bow. Aerobic fitness helps relieve the effects of
fatigue that come upon an archer from standing several hours during the competition and the
ability to control heart rate allows for greater mental focus and more precise shots (McGrath 35).