Archery is one of the oldest traditions in the history of civilization. Ever since there have been societies with riches to protect, archers have been ready to defend them. Millions of people have since perfected the art of archery, and it has grown and evolved into both an Olympics sport and a discipline that is used for anything from art to hunting in the wild. If you want to join the long list of masters, there’s only one way to start. Below are a few tips to help you start your journey to mastering the bow.
Prioritize safety
First off, while undergoing archery training make sure you’re prioritizing safety at the practice range. You should wear an arm guard, a shooting glove, and a wrist sling. This gear will prevent injuries while using the bow, especially if it misfires. Avoid dry firing, or firing without an arrow loaded in the bow, since the string will likely snap back and injure your hand. Match the length of the arrows you’re picking to the size of your bow, ensuring they’re compatible. Always keep a first aid kit on hand, just in case. If you’re a beginner, you should have supervision from a professional or a trainer.
Practice your form
Form is very important when you’re practicing archery. Even the slightest mistake or wrong movement can cause your arrow to veer off course. Make sure you’re still and steady when you draw. Extend the arm with which you’re holding the bow, but don’t lock your elbows. Pull the bowstring and arrow back with your drawing hand until it touches your face. The position of the arrow and the bow, and the distance of both from your body, should be the same every time you draw. It helps to maintain an anchor point, which is a point on your face, usually the lower chin, where the arrow touches when you’re ready to fire. Release smoothly, and maintain your form for the follow-through. If you’re having trouble with any of these steps, the best way to improve is by recording and analyzing the video.
Build strength
The main muscles involved in archery are the upper body muscles, the muscles of the arm, and your core. With enough practice, you’ll be exercising these muscles automatically, and you’ll eventually gain strength. However, for added strength and stability, you should consider resistance training. Working out your arms, chest, back, and core will significantly help with stability when drawing and shooting. Holding a large, heavy bow completely still is difficult for beginners and is vital to being able to shoot accurately, and resistance training will help a lot with it.
Change your targets
No archer shoots at the same target at the same range day in and day out. If you hit a plateau and aren’t seeing consistent improvement or want to mix up your practice routine, you should change the target. A common way archers mix things up is by using a bigger target if you’re missing or a smaller one to get better accuracy. However, changing the distance from the target is also important. Bringing it closer or farther will change the way you approach your shot, helping you to adapt. You can also keep multiple targets close together and try to hit them all in succession.
Practice visualization
Visualization is a key method that pro archers use to perfect their game. It takes some time to develop, and you’ll likely naturally get there the more you practice, but you should start trying to visualize your shots as soon as you start. Before you release the arrow, visualize the path it will take after you pull your hand away. Remember it vividly, and take the shot, seeing if the pathway of the arrow was close to your estimations. Eventually, you’ll be able to predict its path accurately, and you’ll be able to hit any target. You can then use this method even outside of the range, imagining yourself at practice with the target in front of you.
Conclusion
Though archery has long been one of the main ways kingdoms and societies defended their walls against intruders, these days, there are more optimal ways for defense. Now, countless people have turned to archery as a sport and discipline that gives countless benefits in life, from maintaining health to improving aim and increasing patience. It’s still one of the most difficult and most popular past times in the world, and if you’re interested in getting inducted into this world, you should use the tips mentioned in this article to get started.
