A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO ARCHERY

Archery is an extremely popular sporting activity that’s been around for centuries, whether you’re looking for a fun day out that you don’t want to take too seriously or are interested in getting into the sport at a much higher level. If you’re new to archery, then you’re sure to have a few questions. We’ve compiled our most asked questions from customers looking to try archery for the first time to help you out!

Where does archery come from?^{Photo credit}

Although extremely popular within medieval Britain, archery was not originally a medieval sport.

No one is completely sure exactly where archery as we know it today first originated. In fact, there are cases across a vast amount of different countries and cultures. They have even found signs that arrows were around almost 70,000 years ago in South Africa. The latest confirmed bow and arrow remains were found in Germany, and estimated to be from 18,000 years ago. There is evidence that archery existed in several African and Eurasian counties around this time, although rather than being used as a casual pastime or competitive sport, it is far more likely that it was mostly used in hunting for food.

Is archery a suitable activity for children?

In some cases, children as young as eight can begin learning archery. However, each centre will have different age restrictions and regulations. You can check each individual products age limit under the ‘restrictions’ tab. Some may have an age limit of up to 13 years, and combination experiences - which often include activities such as axe throwing, rifle shooting and crossbows - may be up to 18 years. Any age restrictions in place will be strict to that centre’s health and safety policy.

Archery can be a dangerous sport. Arrows are required to be sharp to stick in the target, and there is a certain level of skill, strength, coordination and most of all attention required for a young person to begin learning archery.

Do you need to be physically fit to try archery?

Most archery does not require much cardiovascular fitness, excluding tag and combat forms of archery. The sport does however use a lot of different muscle groups in your upper body, including back, arm, stomach and chest muscles. You do not need to be particularly strong to try out archery for the first time, but your muscles will strengthen with time, and this will help with your precision and balance when practicing the sport.

Although it is often possible for people in wheelchairs or with lower body disabilities to still enjoy archery, you will need to enquire directly with the particular centre, as not all target ranges will be wheelchair accessible.

Can pregnant women play archery?

This is a question we receive quite often here at Experience Days, and the general answer tends to be yes. However, please consider that each case is different. If you have had any issues with your pregnancy, then it is recommended that you talk to your doctor regarding any form of physical exercise before booking your session.

Please notify the instructors upon booking that you are pregnant. You will need to make sure that you keep hydrated, take any rests if needed and your blood sugar is kept at a healthy level. Please note that this applies to all stages of pregnancy.

How long does it take to become good at archery?

As is the case with any sport, to truly master archery to an expert level will take a lot of hard work. You will of course see slow improvements from the beginning of training, however, to begin practicing to a high level will take dedication and expert instruction. It is extremely unlikely you will be able to master archery on your own without tuition from an intermediate. Depending on how often you are practicing the sport, it could take several years before you are able to begin competing.

Are there any weather restrictions for archery?

Generally speaking, this is completely dependent on the resilience of the archer. Although extremely windy conditions will affect the direction of your arrows, some see this as an extra challenge to the sport. Similarly, if you are an outdoorsy person then you may find practicing archery in the pouring rain or blizzardy snow adds an extra element of excitement. Personally, I’d much rather enjoy archery on a warm sunny day, but each to their own.

In terms of archery experiences and weather cancellations, yes, if your lesson is due to be held outdoors, it is possible it’ll be cancelled in the event of adverse weather conditions. However, it is up to the archery centre to decide what it deems to be adverse. The session will not be called off due to a bit of rain, however if there are serious winds or a storm then your lesson is likely to be rescheduled for a later date.

We also offer an indoor archery experience in London which is not weather dependant.

How many kinds of bows are there?

The two most commonly used archery bows are the recurve bow and the compound bow. The recurve bow is also known as a traditional bow, it’s mostly used for target practice and also the bow you’ll see competing in the Olympics. The compound bow looks a lot more intimidating than the recurve and is less commonly seen. This bow is mostly used for hunting as it helps to gain more power and speed. Although, you’ll still find it available at a lot of archery ranges.

Combat bow photo credit

Other bows you may have heard of are the longbow and the crossbow. Longbows are another type of traditional bow, but (you guessed it) longer. As a general rule, the longbow should be the same height as the archer themselves. These bows are a lot harder to master, and they don’t have the aim or the speed of the other bows. They’re still popular today amongst history fans, and archers who enjoy a challenge! The crossbow, although part of the bow family is quite different to the other bows we’ve talked about, as it involves an elastic harness and trigger release button. Many may describe it as a gun/bow hybrid based on modern designs of the weapon, however the first crossbow is thought to have originated in Ancient China around 600 BC.

There are also yumi bows and takedown bows. The yumi bow is a traditional Japanese bow, usually taller than the archer themselves. These were traditionally used by samurai warriors. Finally, the takedown bow is similar to a recurve bow, but it can be easily dismantled into several parts and carried around in a compact form.

What is the best bow for beginners?

Now that you know all about the different types of bows, I’m sure you’re wondering what the best type of bow is for you. Recurve bows are probably the most commonly used amongst beginners, however there is really no correct answer here. The choice is completely up to you, and most archers will use both regularly throughout the course of their careers.

How many different types of arrows are there?

There are three main types of arrows. These include: Carbon arrows, which are mostly used with compound bows and good for hunting uses of archery. Wood, the traditional arrow; these can be a little fragile, but can also be made by your own hand. Aluminium arrows are the most likely to be found at an archery range and can be used with both bow types. They’re also the best arrows for beginners!

Where do I go to learn archery?

The best way to try archery is with a group archery lesson. This is an affordable and fun way to get a feel for the sport while learning the basics from a professional tutor. These tend to be mostly aimed at beginners, and are an enjoyable and casual introduction to archery.  

Once you’ve started to progress past this format of lesson, you can begin to make use of the many available archery ranges by booking an allotted time slot for individual practice, as well as archery teams and clubs which are fun to join once you have the hang of the sport!

Thank you for reading! 

I hope that we've helped answer a few of the different questions you may of had about beginning to learn archery. If you would like to browse our range of archery experiences available across the country, you can do so here. If you have any other questions about beginning to learn archery please ask us in the comments.