ARCHERY STUDY GUIDE

Archery Tackle – All archery equipment; such as: Arrows, bows, finger tabs, arm guards, quivers, targets and target stands.

Parts of the arrow – The nock, fletching (two hen feathers and a cock feather), the crest, the shaft and the target point.

Parts of the bow – The nocks (string grooves), string, serving area, arrow nocks, upper and lower limbs, grip, arrow rest, sight window.

SHOOTING STEPS

Bracing – Stringing the bow or attaching the bow string to the bow.

Stance – Standing with your side to the target, feet are shoulder width apart. The head is turned ¼ turn toward the target.

Nocking - Placement of the arrow in shooting position on the bowstring. Lay the arrow

shaft on the arrow rest and place the nock in the bowstring at the serving. The

cock feather is up. The arrow forms a 90* angle with the bow.

Holding the bow – Do not hold the bow tightly. Hold the bow at arms length in the palm

of the hand between the thumb and first finger. The first finger wraps around the

grip while the other 3 fingers remain relaxed.

Drawing - Turn the bow perpendicular to the ground. Using a three finger grip and the

tips of the fingers; pull the bowstring to an anchor point on the face or head. The

drawing arm is parallel to the ground and the wrist is straight.

Anchor point - Placement of the draw hand at the cheek bone, the jaw bone, temple or

some other comfortable spot on the face or head. Once the anchor point is

established, do not change it, use it for every shot. This will add consistency to

your shots.

Aiming – Point of aim is the view of the target as you look down the arrow, placing the

tip of the arrow on a specific point. This will be adjusted depending upon the

distance of the shot. The point of aim may not be the exact target, but rather just

above or below it. Once the bow is drawn to the anchor point and the point of

aim is established, remain motionless for a second or two, then release the arrow.

Release - Following a motionless second at the anchor point, relax the fingers on the

bowstring, allowing the string to roll off the fingertips. Be sure you do not throw

the bow or “pluck” the string.

Follow through - Fingers remain at the anchor point as the arrow flies to the target. The

head and eyes remain fixed on the target, and the bow arm remains extended. Do

not move until the arrow has come to rest in the target.

Scoring – From the center ring or bullseye, out the colored rings are scored 9, 7, 5, 3, 1,

0. The colors of the rings are: bullseye, gold, red, blue, black, white. The area

outside the white circle does not score a point, but scores a hit and is called the

petticoat. Many targets have the rings divided to allow a 10 – 0 scoring method;

scoring gold as 10/9, red as 8/7, blue as 6/5, black as 4/3, and white as 2/1.

SAFETY * Always remember that the bow and arrow are deadly weapons and you are expected to conduct yourself accordingly at all times!!!!