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).

Conrad 2

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).

Conrad 3

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

Conrad 4

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).

Conrad 5

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

Conrad 6

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).

Conrad 7

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

Conrad 8

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

Conrad 9

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.

Conrad 10

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>.

Conrad 11

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,

Conrad 12

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).

Conrad 13

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.

Conrad 14

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).

Conrad 15

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).

Conrad 16

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

Conrad 17

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

Conrad 18

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

Conrad 19

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).