2.2 Scoring

Targets are marked with 10 evenly spaced concentric rings, which have score values from 1 through 10 assigned to them. In addition, there is an inner 10 ring, called the X ring because of the small cross printed at the centre. This sometimes becomes the 10 ring in compound competitions. Usually it serves as a tiebreaker with the archer scoring the most number of X's winning. In FITA archery, targets are colored as follows:

• 1 ring & 2 ring - white
• 3 ring & 4 ring - black
• 5 ring & 6 ring - blue
• 7 ring & 8 ring - red
• 9 ring & 10 ring - gold

Archers score each end by summing the scores for their arrows. Line cutters are awarded the higher score. Values scored by each arrow are recorded on a score sheet and must be written in descending order. E.g. if an archer scores 5, 7, 6, 10, 9, 8, this must be recorded as 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5.

During competition, there are usually at least two archers per target. This is to allow for "double scoring", a system where two archers will record and sum all scores on individual sheets. This is done to weed out any errors. To score, each archer will call out his or her own score to be recorded (they must also be called out in descending order). During scoring no one is allowed to touch the arrows. After scoring, each hole is marked before arrows are retrieved. This is done incase a "pass through" (the arrow passes straight through the target) or "bouncer" (arrow hits the target and bounces out) occurs.

Different rounds and distances use different size target faces. Common sizes (and example rounds they are used in) are:

• 40 cm (FITA Indoor)
• 60 cm (30m and 50m FITA)
• 80 cm
• 122 cm (70m and 90m FITA)

122 cm faces are used in Olympic competition. There is also a version of the 40cm target known as the "3 Spot". The target contains 3 instances of the inner 5 rings of the 40cm face arrange in a line or an equilateral triangle.

2.3 Other competition

Field archery involves shooting at targets of varying and unmarked distance, often in rough terrain. 3D archery focuses on shooting at life-size models of game, and is popular with hunters.

3 Hunting

A bow is less effective than most firearms in hunting and requires substantially more training to use successfully and humanely. This has a two-fold effect.

First, many hunters prefer using a bow because of the added challenge. Some localities in North America stipulate that certain types of game, often deerAbout 15 in 4 subfamilies. Defined strictly, a deer is a ruminant mammal belonging to the family Cervidae . A number of broadly similar animals, from related families within the order Artiodactyla, are often also called deer''. Depending on the species, m, may only be taken with a bow. In other localities, special bowhunting seasons are set aside to prevent interference from rifle hunters. Besides deer, many bow hunters shoot feral pig s, small game, or birds. People also occasionally fish with a bow.

In contrast, an animal shot with a bow usually takes longer to die; it may even survive being shot and carry an arrow for a long time. Because of this, in many countries (esp. in EuropeFor the band of the same name, see Europe (band . Europe is a continent forming the westermost part of the Eurasian supercontinent. Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Se) bowhunting is considered unnecessarily cruel to animals, and is therefore illegal.

Compound bows are usually used for hunting, although recurve bows are not uncommon and usually legal. Hunting points are traditionally broadheads; they are wide and knifelike in design in order to cut into game.

4 History

4.1 Beginnings

Archeologists suspect that archery may have begun up to 15,000 years ago, but the earliest concrete evidence is between 8,000 and 9,000 years old. The bow probably originated for use in hunting, and was then adopted as a tool of warfareFor other uses of War, see War (disambiguation). War is conflict, between relatively large groups of people, which involves physical force inflicted by the use of weapons. Other terms for war include armed conflict hostilities and police action''. See Lim. Bows eventually replaced the atlatlThe atlatl is a weapon that uses leverage to achieve greater speed in spear-throwing. It consists of a shaft with a hook, in which the butt of the spear rests. It is held near the far end from the cup, and the spear is thrown by action of upper arm and wr as the predominant means for launching projectiles. Archery was practiced in antiquity on every continent (except for Australia), demonstrating that it is both basic and versatile.

4.2 Classical archery

Classical civilizations, notably the GreeksAncient Greece is the term used to describe the Greek-speaking world in ancient times. It refers not only to the territory of the present Greek state, but also to those areas settled in ancient times by Greeks: Cyprus, the Aegean coast of Turkey (then kno, Romans, and ChineseThis article is on the geographic and cultural entity. For other meanings, see China (disambiguation). China ( Traditional Chinese: , Simplified Chinese: , Hanyu Pinyin: Zhongguo, Wade-Giles: Chung-kuo) is a country in continental East Asia with some oute, fielded large numbers of archers in their armies. Arrows proved exceptionally destructive against massed formations, and the use of archers often proved decisive. Archers sometimes rode on horseback, combining range with speed. Apollo, Odysseus, and other mythological characters are often depicted with a bow.

4.3 Medieval archery

In medieval Europe, the value of archery on the battlefield steadily increased. The Mongols perfected archery on horseback, and used it to dominate the Asian steppes, and eastern Europe. Horse archers would fire while approaching their target, then turn around in the saddle and fire again after they passed.

By the Hundred Years' War, the English had perfected archery on foot, using a longbow. Archers were drawn from the peasantry, and trained rigorously from childhood. In combat, they would often fire two arrows, one on a high trajectory, and one on a low trajectory. These two arrows would hit the enemy simultaneously from two different angles, making defense difficult. The advent of the bodkin point allowed arrows to pierce most armor.

The crossbow, while dating from classical times, became quite popular during the Middle Ages. While it took decades to train a longbowman, someone could become proficient with a crossbow with little training. The crossbow had about the same power and range as a longbow. Its major drawback was that it took a long time to reload.

The advent of firearms rendered bows obsolete in warfare. A gun could penetrate most armor, and required minimal training.

4.3.1 Equipment

As a minimum most archers wore a padded jacket and a helmet for protection, others having mail coats or pieces of armor scavenged off the battlefield. They also wore wrist protection: bracers to protect them from the passing bowstring as they released an arrow. A leather tab or gauntlet was often worn on the right hand so the archer's fingers would not be cut by the bowstring.

An archer would of course have his longbow, preferably some arrows of his own and a few spare strings. When battle was joined sheaves of arrows would be passed to the archers, from huge wagons that followed English armies.

Bowstrings were linen, hemp, or gut, and had a distressing tendency to shrink when wet, so they were usually coated with beeswax.

For close quarters combat - which was avoided at all costs - the archers carried personal weapons; the most popular weapon being roundel dagger , a long thin knife that could be pushed through a knight’s visor when looting on the battlefield. Others carried swords (and bucklers), falchions (a heavy cutting sword instead of piercing) or even axes.

4.4 Occidental archery

Occidental, or Mediterranean archery developed in Europe. It is the accepted technique for modern competition and is used worldwide.

The arrow is placed on the left side of the bow. The bowstring is held with the index finger above the arrow and the second and third finger below the arrow. The string is usually placed in either the first or second joint of the fingers. A finger tab is used to protect the fingers from the string. The bow arm is extended towards the target and the string is drawn back to a point on the face.

The archer places the index finger on the same point of his face every shot to ensure consistency. This anchor point is usually in the center or on the side of the mouth. In antiquity it was often at the ear or the back of the chin.

The string hand is relaxed to fire an arrow. An archer should pay attention to the recoil, or follow through of his or her body, as it may indicate problems with his or her form.

In proper form, the archer stands erect, forming a T. The archer's back muscles are used to pull the arrow to the anchor point.

An archer usually wears an arm guard on the left arm to protect it from the string, and to prevent loose clothing from interfering with the shot. A chest protector is also often worn. Arrows are usually kept in a quiver attached to the archer's right side, they may also be stuck in the ground, and are occasionally worn on the back.

4.5 Oriental archery

Oriental archery developed in Asia. In modern times it has been marginalized by occidental archery even in Asian countries. Oriental archery increases the archer's rate of fire, and is also more practical on horseback.

The arrows are less stiff than western arrows with smaller fletchings. Bows vary widely.

The bow is held clasped to the chest, arrow point slightly up. Both arms are extended, the left arm up and toward the target, the right arm back and away from the target. The bow and arrow are drawn down into a line with both arms locked on opposite sides of the body, but the elbow of the right arm is permitted to flex. The bowstring and fletchings are held behind one's head. The arrow is held at the first joint of the thumb, and the string rests on a thumbring (Mongol) or a slot at the base of a gauntlet's thumb (Japanese tsuri), so it does not hurt the thumb. A headband may be worn to keep the bowstring from hurting one's ear or head. Thick, loose clothing, usually a gi, protects the arms and chest from the bowstring at release. The soft fletching and flexible shaft cause less damage if they hit. Professional soldiers wore leather gauntlets, chest armor and helmets with flared ridges to protect against the bowstring.

See also: Kyudo, Japanese archery.

4.6 Compound Bow Technique

A compound bow is designed to limit the draw length, reduce the weight that an archer must hold, and increase the overall energy stored by the bow. The archer usually uses a release aid to hold the string steady. This attaches to the bowstring at a point and permits the archer to release the string with a pull of a trigger. With less force required to hold a compound bow at draw, the muscles take longer to fatigue, thus giving a compound archer more time to aim. In general, good recurve technique usually makes good compound technique. A compound bow must be adjusted so that its draw length is correct for the archer. The draw length is determined largely by the archer's arm length and shoulder width.

5 External links

• International Archery Association (FITA)
• United States National Archery Association

Archery Martial arts Precision sports Olympic sports

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