Tips For Success In Archery
Highly successful archers all share some practices and habits which help them achieve their ultimate goal of winning the much coveted gold. If you are planning on taking up the sport, here are seven habits of highly successful archers for you to emulate.
First off, a competitive archer can be successful in the sport if he comes prepared for anything and everything that may come his way. You should always be ready for the unexpected. Pack extra equipment or gear and uniforms just in case something bad happens. The weather might suddenly turn gloomy and you may need a change of clothes after being drenched by an unexpected downpour. During competition, there may be some surprises which will divert your attention way from the game. Anticipating these unexpected events will help you deal with them and will translate to a more solid concentration on the match.
Next a highly successful archer must learn how to be resilient, learning from previous experiences. Being resilient is key in improving your athletic capabilities and even strength of character. Do not delve on previous shortfalls but instead think of what can be done the next time something similar would happen. Block off negative thoughts and focus on the current task at hand.
Successful archers should also strive to become consistent in the use of their shooting technique and form. Most often referred to as shooting your average, this only means that an archer must not shift from one stance to another especially during critical, make or break scenarios. For a successful archer, being consistent means that one must not compromise his technique even when under a great deal of pressure.
Another habit of a highly successful archer is thinking positively and bringing the can do attitude in every match. Thinking positively will not only help you concentrate better it also allows one to visualize what a great shot should look like.
Highly successful archers also welcome pressure. Competition brings out the best in accomplished archers. Just keep in mind that shooting while nervous is like shooting in the rain so never fall into the pitfall of thinking that you alone are feeling the immense pressure of future matches.
Then we have champion archers who can use sheer concentration focusing on the target without being bothered by personal issues or external distractions. This is called mental programming wherein an athlete keeps his mind focused so that distractions will not interfere with his performance. No more wandering thoughts! This should be developed along with your particular technique so as to deliver and post a high performance.
Last but not least, all successful archers should have a strong sense of self discipline. Regular practice entails a huge amount of self discipline but it definitely contributes to ensuring that the arrow always hits the mark! In order to become a successful archer, you have to have the passion for the sport, but it does not end there. Just like any other sport, diligent and consistent practice sessions will help bring out the fierce competitor in you.
State of the Art Archery: Archery Bows
Compound bows - modern archery at its finest! Just like recurves, compound bows make use of handles. Handles are usually built from plastic or wood. Various kinds of handles are utilized to generate different kinds of arrow shots through holding the bow in slightly different positions. These handles and grips are usually chosen to fit the type of bow, the make and the style that the archer prefers.
A central part of the bow, the riser, holds together the majority of peripherals attached to the bow. This other equipment includes the button, the limbs, and the sight among others. Various risers will influence how the archer holds the bow. Although the riser is somewhat unnoticeable, the effect that you get out of it when you shoot an arrow is very distinguishable. Risers will even sometimes have aerodynamic characteristics to allow the wind to slip through without altering the archer's already steady aim.
One can say that a bow will never be complete without the limbs which are the extensions of the bow that bends with the draw to produce the power needed to project the arrow. Even the limbs are attached to the riser. Many types of limbs are made of multiple layers of various materials enabling smooth flexion and to prevent premature deformities. With a consistent performance attributed to the limbs, a greater accuracy is derived from the bow. Latest designs of which are now made of carbon, a durable yet lightweight material.
We now move on the bowstrings, which are typically manufactured from twinning with several strands of Kevlar or Dacron producing a single, durable, flexible cord. Although Dacron is relatively expensive over Kevlar, the former is prone to creeping or loosening over a period of time. This will result in inaccurate or inconsistent shooting.
The rest is the part of the bow where the arrow is placed right before shooting. Since a longbow does not carry a rest, it makes it quite tricky to use. Other types of bows use plastic and metal rests. There are even more high tech bows which make use of magnetic rest for an even easier operation. Compound bows are rather sensitive to vibrations hence the rest outfitted on compound bows collapse immediately. This is to prevent the rest from being hit by the arrow after shooting.
The plunger, also known as the button, prevents the back end of the arrow from going before the front end. The plunger also ensures that the arrow and the bow is aligned, in turn this prevents the arrow from knocking into the bow once the former is fired.
The sight can be in several different forms, but the typical form for the sight is a circle with a pin or cross-hairs at its center. There are some compound bows which utilize a "spirit level" which informs the archer if his bow is tilted.
Finally, the longrod is an extension of the bow usually measuring around two feet. Its main purpose is to lessen the vibrations generated with the release. It also tilts the bow forward once the arrow is released.
Archery For Beginners
If you are starting out in Archery, a good first step would be to join the local archery club. Try to determine the credentials of the coaching staff and the reputation of the archery club first. Remember that it is important to get things right the first time so it is somewhat crucial that you get the proper guidance and coaching to start you off on your basic archery instructions. When you have established the basic skills set, that is the time to get a more advanced archery coach.
Another reason for joining an archery club is because as a beginner, you will not have your own archery equipment yet. You may want to rent your bow and arrows first from the archery club at a relatively more affordable rate compared to buying an archery set outright which will definitely cost you quite a bit of money. After all, you may not be sure if you like archery so why invest outright.
If you are required to bring your own bow and arrow set, try to buy the best that you can afford so that you can get correct results during your beginner's lessons in archery. Generally, a lighter bow is best suited for beginners.
Starting out right means mastering the correct basic archery techniques. Study the basic drawing and releasing techniques since this will be the foundation of your form and archery stance. You also have to remember that if you intend to be a skilled archery student and eventually expert, you must keep yourself in top shape. Stamina and strength are both required for you to do well in this sport. A relatively above average upper body strength is needed to carry out archery moves. Training your upper body will help you gain more control and command over your shooting.
Remember that archery is not learned and mastered overnight. Give yourself enough time to learn the sport by being patient learning the basics and eventually the finer points. Although basic aiming and even releasing can be absorbed in less that an hour, becoming a confident expert will take years of study and training.
It would also be helpful to measure your training progress by joining archery competitions. Practice hard and be confident of your skills. Try to observe other archers especially the experts and try to get additional pointers. You can also keep notes of your performance to be able to provide suggested minor adjustments on your progress. In this way, you can review your notes periodically to assess how far you have come in terms of archery skills.
Although it is a good thing to practice hard and train for your archery basics, you also need to know when to call it quits for the day. You might get burned out if you keep on pushing yourself day in and day out. Never quit too early in the game, just make sure you know your limitations.
Spare Your Arm in Archery
At the top of the list of the most irritating archery experiences for archery beginners is getting your bow arm repeatedly slashed by the string. When using your fingers to pull back the string, it instantly snaps back, vibrating upon release. But instead of moving forward to its original, resting position uninterrupted it meets your bow arm instead! Ouch!
Maybe its time you do things properly for a change. To start, check the fingers of your string gripping hand and make sure that it is not too far from the inside. Try to imagine a straight line going across your hand starting from the grip down. If your hand is predominantly in the line, you will have to adjust your grip position.
Beginners think that placing your hand way out on the side and away from the bow string line will help avoid those nasty string slashes. Gripping the bow this way puts too much pressure right on the thumb and your hand which results in you losing your grip. A natural grip position will give you more control on the bow although in this position, the forearm is quite near the bow string recoil line. Generally, it boils down to the balance between your forearm position and your hand grip. The grip you want to achieve should feel natural and nearly effortless.
To avoid the slashed forearm scenario, the best arm position for a clear release is to put one elbow slightly rotated inward or downward. With the elbow in this position, you successfully remove the forearm out of the bow string's plane. So, you can now rotate your arm in a slightly down and in motion. Just make sure that you do not over rotate your arm keeping a steady hand in position. When you do this right, your bow string arm will fly flat with a lot more room for the bow string's vibration.
If it still does not work, do not fret, it is not yet the end of the world! This time you can try adjusting your stance instead of your grip. Try opening your stance to be able to give more room between you and the dreaded bow string. In essence, you are creating a larger triangle involving your bow hand, bow shoulder, and of course the anchor.
Continue by doing a closed stance with both feet perfectly aligned with the target. With this position you can now move your back foot a bit forward. If you are a female archer, you will find this stance quite useful since aside from hitting the forearm, the bowstring usually hits a far more sensitive spot, the breast.
If all else fails, the best explanation for this is that you are most probably anticipating the twang! It is perfectly alright since most beginners and intermediate archers do get caught up with this nasty dilemma. Here is what you should do; just stay relaxed putting your arm in an extended position just before the shot is released. All you do now is to put your arm along the path of the bow string and cause your arrow to fall short. Remember to just stay relaxed, the key here is to let the release be as natural and easy. Good luck!
Quality Archery Arrows
In archery, the arrow is undoubtedly the most important piece of equipment followed only by the bow. With a high quality archery arrow, the accuracy of the shot greatly increases. Conversely, no matter how good an archer's aim may be, without a good arrow there simply is no assurance on the accuracy of the shot.
There are several factors that determine the quality of archery arrows. First and foremost is the stiffness of the arrow shaft. The stiffness of the shaft determines how much wobble will take place while the arrow is flying through the air towards the given target. An arrow that wobbles too much during flight will definitely be less accurate so you must make sure that the arrows that you will be using are stiff-shafted variants.
Materials used to manufacture the arrow will also have a significant effect on the final product. Conventional arrows are now made using aluminum, wood and carbon. Just make sure that you are choosing the arrows with the right type of material that will fit your style and skill level. To further help you determine which type of arrow based on the material it was made out of is most suitable for you, it is best to ask around for experienced archers' opinions.
When it comes to arrow weight, a heavier arrow, will definitely strike a target with a greater amount of force compared to the lighter ones. Although heavier arrows deliver a relatively bigger impact, they will travel at a slower velocity during flight. On the other hand, lighter arrows travel with a greater velocity compared to the heavier arrow during mid-flight. In the end, it is all a matter of preference and adaptability. It will not hurt however if you try to ask archery enthusiasts on what type of arrow based on weight will be good for your skill level.
Next to the shaft stiffness and weight, the point of the arrow is another important aspect to consider when choosing the right archery arrow. This will play a key role when you go bow hunting. You will have to first determine what type of game you will be hunting. Then do some research on which type of arrow tip is optimally suited for the particular game.
The arrow nock should also be considered when selecting an arrow suited for you. The slit at the back end of the arrow should fit the string just right. A small slit pressed against a relatively thick bow string will prevent the arrow from releasing smoothly from the bow. Just determine the right thickness so as to get the smoothest release when you draw back the arrow against the string.
The final part of the arrow that will be taken into consideration, the fletching, was actually made of feathers in the older days and in some cases they are still manufactured out of real feathers today. The more common materials used to produce the fletching is synthetic plastic which also come in feather-like designs although they now more closely resemble fins.
If you are really serious in starting out with archery as a serious sport, it is best that you invest in the high quality arrows based on the previously mentioned factors. This will all be worth the money since a set of good quality arrows will ensure that your aim is not compromised because of equipment failure.
Pick Your Archery Stance
In general, there are four various archery stances which are used in the sport. There are pros and cons for each type of stance although you will have to familiarize yourself with the four to really be able to determine which will best suit you.
The first stance is called the even stance. This particular stance follows a very intuitive and natural positioning. It can be easily repeated therefore consistency will not be an issue. Consistency in delivering the stance would mean that you will have a high accuracy for the shot that you will take.
Although the even stance is quite easy to perform, there are some drawbacks when you decide to use it. Primarily, the even stance provides you with a relatively smaller base support in your front and back. Because of this, your body is not firmly set and a big wind can actually throw you out of balance. Another thing is that when you decide to use the even stance, it lowers the area for string clearance. This is especially true for archers having broad chests.
The open stance is the next type of archery stance. Just like the prior, the open stance also proves to give the archer a harder time leaning away from the target. But on the other hand, this particular stance requires the upper body to twist towards the target. The open stance also makes use of the arm muscles instead of the back muscles for drawing the arrow and releasing.
The third archery stance is called the closed stance. Using the closed archery stance, you get a relatively stable support base. It also gives the archer an excellent shoulder and arm alignment with the selected target.
Nevertheless, there are also some drawbacks when you decide to use the closed stance. This type of stance decreases the string clearance up to a point where it might actually touch against your body. The particular stance makes the archer lean away from the target which means that there is a risk of overdrawing the bow.
Among the four stances, the fourth and last called the oblique stance gives the greatest string clearance to the point where the arrow is released. Using the said stance, you can see the target very clearly having your body in a position of complete equilibrium. The only setback is that this last stance is the most difficult to maintain. Because of this, only expert archers use this particular archery stance.
Start practicing your archery stance by placing your feet exactly on the shooting line. You have to emphasize accuracy in marking your position since even experienced archers will attest that even the slightest of deviations will affect sighting and aiming ultimately throwing off your accuracy.
Most archers consider the open and oblique stance as the better choices out of the four archery stances. A bigger percentage of archers use only one of the two or they may prefer alternating both. However, it still is a case to case basis when it comes to individual preference.
Ready for Bow Hunting
With the coming of bowhunting season, it is time again to dig up your good old, trusty gear, do some minor checking and some adjustments and you are now set to go! You would not really want to shoot a misguided arrow in the middle of the hunt so before you set out, it is best to make sure that your archery gear is in tip-top shape for hunting.
You best begin with inspecting the major parts, and start with the bow because more often than not, this is where most problems begin. Also check the string for wear and if necessary, replace it with a fresh piece. Remember to wax it afterwards to complete the treatment. Also check the nock points, peep and the kisser. Again, assess if you need to replace any of the parts since you would not want anything to go haywire when you are already out in the wild.
You may want to clean the steel surfaces using plain gun oil especially for parts where rust has started to take over. It is important that you lubricate all the moving parts of the bow. Archers commonly use dry graphite, a type of lubricant, which is especially great for cleaning the moving sights. Do the same for other moving pivot points.
The next thing to do is to check the rest's adjustment, replace the heat-shrink if necessary. If you use string silencers for your bow string, try using them to check if replacement should also be done.
Do you have a bow quiver? If you are planning to carry one, you have to check the mount. See if it is still tight to avoid vibrations once you shoot and release the bow string. Also, do not forget to check if the arrows are still securely in place.
Take a good look to see if the hooded area of the broad heads is still in working condition. If your bow has a guide slide and/or a rod, replace it or adjust it if it is already worn out. Since you will try to remain undetected during the hunt, it may help to check that your bow is glare free or much better if it is camouflaged. Matte camouflage tape is the first choice of bowhunters to cover up any surface that may end up glaring in the field.
Other things to check include the limbs. Make sure that there are no cracks or fissures. Do not hesitate to get a new one if and when necessary. Why is this so? A cracked limb may break when drawn all the way back. This may prove serious not only because it will cause you to prematurely pack up and call it a day, but also because the sudden breaking of the limb may cause serious physical injury.