| With a history characterized by hunting and combat | | | | significantly straying from the traditional archery of the |
| techniques, archery is the practice of using a piece of | | | | past. The use of archery as a form of warfare has |
| equipment called a bow to shoot arrows at a target. | | | | been discarded and mostly only hobbyists hunt with a |
| Throughout the years, it has become a sport of | | | | bow and arrow. Modern archery involves competition. |
| precision, leading to numerous competitions, as well as | | | | Competitive archery consists of shooting arrows for |
| a spot in the Olympics. The title given to a person who | | | | accuracy points from varying distances, quite popular |
| is an expert in the practice is an archer. For some, | | | | in Europe and North America. Both indoor and outdoor |
| archery is like an intense game of darts that involves | | | | venues hold archery competitions with different rules. |
| more equipment, as well as increased physical skill. | | | | For example, there are varying time limits. Indoor |
| Modern vs. Traditional Archery | | | | competition allows only 2 minutes to shoot 3 arrows. |
| The start of archery is thought to have emerged | | | | Archery equipment demands special attention to |
| about 5,000 years ago. The first use of the bow was | | | | safety rules and use. You must receive proper |
| probably used for hunting, while its recognition as a tool | | | | instruction on how to hold a bow and shoot an arrow |
| for war came later. In ancient times, early man threw | | | | so that you do not hurt yourself or others. |
| projectiles at their enemies. It is the bow that replaced | | | | Modern Archery Competitions |
| this technique. | | | | The color of the archery board for competition is |
| There are many different types of archery that has | | | | white, black, blue, red and gold. There are two rings |
| evolved from traditional archery. Classical archery was | | | | each per color with corresponding point values. The |
| prominent among the Macedonians, Greeks, Persians | | | | end score of a competition is computed by adding the |
| and Indians, which often took up a large part of their | | | | total of all scores made by their arrows. If an arrow |
| armies. When directed effectively, masses of soldiers | | | | lands on the line between two different point values, |
| could be taken out with precision. Advanced armies | | | | the higher sum will be granted. Despite these rules, |
| took archery to horseback, allowing a swift execution | | | | there are still disputes that call for the assistance of a |
| of war plans. | | | | judge. |
| In Medieval European times, archery was used in times | | | | There are many different types of bow shapes and |
| of war, but was not as popular as you may think. On | | | | sizes. During competition, the only type of bow that |
| the contrary, archers received the lowest pay and | | | | can be used in the Olympic games is called a re-curve |
| were often looked down upon. Since it didn't take | | | | bow. When you are ready to further your interest in |
| much to fashion a bow and arrow, this contributed to | | | | archery, there are plenty of other details to take note |
| the negative perceptions of the archers. It was viewed | | | | of. For example, archers in competition often wear |
| as a weapon for the lower class. | | | | bracers that protect the arm. Tabs protect the |
| Asia and the Middle West used archers on horseback | | | | drawing hand. Chest-guards protect clothing, as well as |
| in their military force. In the Kingdom of Bhutan, archery | | | | the body of the archer. All of these things, coupled with |
| is the national sport of the land. One of the differences | | | | the archer's stance, hand-eye coordination, release |
| in Asian arrows is they are less stiff than the arrows | | | | form and grip will all contribute to either the success or |
| from the west. Today, competitive archery is popular, | | | | failure of an archery competition. |