Exploring Sports: Archery

Archery sessions are held in the University Sports centre during winter so I headed down there to find out more. Toby, the club’s secretary and coach, showed me the equipment used and kitted me out so I could have a go.

First he checked which my dominant eye is as this determines which side of the body the bow is held on. I picked up three arrows and Toby guided me through assuming the correct body stance, with my bow arm straight out and the arrow drawn back right to the corner of my mouth. I shot three arrows and was fairly pleased with myself when all of them hit the target!

Lamide, who started archery this term, told me she really enjoys the sport but the hardest thing is remembering all the positioning, especially “pulling the bow right back to the reference point.”

Archery club members compete in competitions regularly and Hannah, a second year, explained to me how these work. Categories are determined by gender, novice or experienced, and bow type. Toby added that archery “doesn’t require strength” and is more about technique and aim but male and female categories still exist to ensure a level of fairness.

An archer is a novice for a year and then moves onto experienced level. Novices at the club are taught individually and targets are closer. There is an introductory period of five week over which they are taught technique and how to use the equipment. Many of the more experienced archers used their own bows and various extra pieces of equipment, such as bow stabilizers to reduce vibrations.

For more information and to get involved, visit https://sites.google.com/a/yusu.org/archery/.

Add Comment

You must log in to submit a comment.