Archery is not an easy process. To hit the target, you need a full concentration of attention, proper breathing and precise motor actions. You will have to take into account a large number of various nuances. And if you are interested in how to shoot a bow properly, you should read this review.
Weapon selection
Shooting training is highly dependent on the bow you have chosen. Over a long period of time, our ancestors used this weapon in order to seek food and defend themselves from enemies and wild animals. At first, onions looked like a flexible rod or root, the ends of which were connected using veins, skin or fibers of plant origin. According to archaeologists, in ancient times, there were both simple and complex varieties of this weapon. The second type of bows was characterized by increased wear resistance, strength and a higher firing range compared to simple ones. This is facilitated by the presence of a large number of blocks.
To understand how to shoot a bow properly, you must first choose it wisely. If it turns out to bend the arc only a few millimeters, then the material is high-quality, elastic. For the training process, you will need to purchase arrows. They should not be sharp, otherwise you can easily get hurt. For training you will need to find a deserted place. And if there is no desire that any section on archery is engaged in your training, it is worthwhile to understand that not only people, but also animals should be at the shooting range. Otherwise, someone could be injured.
Shooting method
How to shoot? The choice of method mainly depends on the physical condition of the shooter, his weight, body structure. There are other parameters that cannot be called insignificant. If you want to figure out how to shoot a bow properly, you first need to learn a technique that resembles meditation. Its essence is not in the exact hit or in pulling the bowstring. First of all, you need to learn to control yourself. And it is advisable to focus all this attention on this art. The arrows, who at one time learned to transform their own state, are able to hit the target without even thinking about it.
Based on the foregoing, we can conclude: it is important not only what bows for shooting you use, but also in what state you are, hitting targets. Complete calm, harmony with the inner world will tell you at what point should you release the bowstring. Some shooters take years to achieve this state. And if you have time, you should think about this art.
Learning technology
Today there are a huge number of techniques that you can use. Which bows for shooting will be used in this case is not particularly important. In other words, you can take both standard weapons and sports ones. It all depends on your own preferences. One more popular technique should be described in more detail. Knowing this technique, you do not have to study in great detail how the arrows should be captured, how to aim, etc. You will have to deal with these nuances yourself, bringing the convenience factor to the forefront. First of all, it is necessary to achieve increased results. It is recommended to constantly improve your own skills.
Basic Rules
How to learn to shoot from a bow? You need to stand with your left side to the target, legs apart at shoulder width for stability. Socks should be on a straight line that leads to the goal. This is a side pillar. With your left, straightened hand, you need to grab the arsenal in the middle. It should be noted that some weapons (for example, classic sports bow) at this place have a special mark.
It is necessary to raise the shooting tool to shoulder level. A hand holding a weapon may interfere with firing. Therefore, we must carefully monitor that this was not. Otherwise, you may be injured. The arrow needs to be held between two fingers - index and middle. Or rather, a place that is located between the first and second joints. By grasping the tail of the arrow in this way, you will subsequently pull the string. To ensure comfort and accuracy of shooting, it is recommended to achieve a uniform load on both fingers.
Bowstring tension and aiming
How to shoot a bow? The boom must be pulled as close to the neck as possible. But you can also stretch to the chin. A similar technique will also be correct. It all depends on how convenient it is for you and what results should be obtained. While holding the bow in a taut state, make sure that the forearm with the shoulder of the left hand are in line. It should also be noted that during tension, the archer needs to take the shoulder blades back. This allows you to minimize the work of the remaining muscles of the body. If you have chosen a historical bow, then aiming will be done according to prompts from the side of intuition. Sports types of this weapon have a special sight.
How to hit the target?
If you are interested in how to shoot accurately from a bow while hitting a target, you should familiarize yourself with some rules:
- Weapons must be kept confident. Hands should not tremble. Do not change the height or slope. In this situation, the arrow will fly anywhere, but not at the target. Therefore, if you want to achieve good results, you will need to devote a lot of time to training. For example, in ancient times, archers stood idle for hours, holding sticks in outstretched hands. A similar process helps to learn to keep objects on weight.
- When shooting, try to keep track of what position your hands are in. One of the most common mistakes is not very good fixation of the left limb. A mistake is no less common when the archer's right hand moves behind the arrow immediately after the bowstring has been released. But you just need to unclench your fingers, leaving the brush in the same place where it was at the time of the shot.
- Breathing should be measured. If it is too frequent, then the shot will be unsuccessful. The shooting technique implies that the bowstring should be released on a half-exhalation, holding your breath slightly.
- Every shot must be analyzed. For this reason, after the first volley do not immediately proceed to the next. Try to mark the trajectory of the “shell”, analyze the errors and draw certain conclusions so that the oversights are no longer repeated.
Shooting range selection
If the beam shooting range does not suit you, you do not want to visit special sections, you need to prepare a site for shooting. To do this, it is recommended to take into account some important points:
- The selected site must be equipped. The firing line should be one. If there are several targets, it is advisable to place them at different distances. For example, to the nearest target should be 18 meters, to the farthest - 90.
- You need to think about providing safe areas on the right and left sides of the shooting range. Directly behind the targets should be installed a fence or a special boomcatcher. Such a precaution is necessary so as not to injure anyone or lose “ammunition”.
- In the best case, the size of the targets should exceed 122 cm in all directions.
Do not forget about security
If you decide to learn how to shoot, have acquired weapons, prepared a target for archery and a shooting range, then you should familiarize yourself with the basic recommendations regarding safety:
- It is necessary to shoot in specially designated places. Or on equipped with all the rules sites with fences.
- It is advisable to shoot from the same line, even if the targets are located at different distances.
- It is recommended to place an arrow on a bowstring only at a time when there are no people or animals between the target and the archer who can be injured due to careless and inattentive actions.
- The bowstring tension should occur only from the firing line and only in the direction of the chosen target.
- If you have already stretched the bow, you should forget about any conversations. In addition, it is forbidden to turn to the side, lose concentration. It is not recommended to hail the archer.
- Approaching the target should only be at the moment when the shooting was finished, at the signal of the leader or the shooter himself, if you train on your own.
- Forget shooting up in the air.
- Do not forget that the responsibility for any accident resulting from a violation of safety rules lies directly with the archer.
A bit about targets
An archer needs to constantly improve, develop his skills, and train. And in order for the classes to be effective, it is worth thinking about shooting targets. You can make a target for archery yourself, but it's better to think about buying a finished product. Today there are a huge number of different options. There is even a division of all targets into groups. They can be curly or round. The former are unique in that they can follow the contours of humans or animals. The latter have a special markup, which allows you to count points. They are the ones that are more preferable for competitions.
Varieties of targets
As already mentioned, there are a huge number of different targets. The most popular should be listed:
- Electronic target. It means a shield equipped with special equipment and electronics. A similar stand works on a fairly simple principle. At the moment of hit of the "shell", all necessary parameters are automatically calculated and registered. The results of each archer are summarized. The first such targets arose in 1989. More advanced models designed for shooting at a moving target were developed in 2004. Such targets are often used in competitions.
- Paper target. It is most optimal for those who want to figure out how to shoot a bow properly. The main advantage is that it is easy to create on your own. Simply download the desired image from the Internet, print it and hang it on a special stand.
- Shields. If you are interested in the longevity of arrows, then you need to think about purchasing a shooting stand. That shield will keep the "shells" in optimal condition. In addition, such a target for archery is able to withstand numerous hits.
- Children's stands. At the present stage, you can find not only specialized targets for various sections and shooting galleries, but also children's options for shields. Usually this is a metal sheet on which there is a marking or a specific target. A child’s bow should be understood as a weapon that shoots arrows on suction cups.
Target size and distance
In the picture you can see a special table. It demonstrates such important concepts as the size of the target and the distance from it to the person firing from the bow.
Conclusion
Now you know how to choose a bow, what kind of target it can be, how to fire properly, given the technique and basic recommendations regarding safety. Try to learn all the nuances, constantly improve, set yourself new goals and objectives. And if you want to learn how to shoot archery well, do not forget about regular training.