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GRAND NATIONAL ARCHERY SOCIETY

NATIONAL COACHING COMMITTEE

Beginner’s Manual

Participating Club

Beginner’s Manual. DGC 2006 © GNAS Page 2 of 30

Acknowledgements: Thanks are due to the GNAS National Source Group: Di Clarke, Helen George, Kath Fitzpatrick, Pauline Pillans, Tony Grey, Bill Mackay, Iain Norel-Wilson, Malcolm Penn, Alastair Robinson, Martin Speakman, Dr Peter Tranckle & Phillip Van-Buren, for information extracted from the GNAS Level 1 Candidates Pack & GNAS Leaders Manual, and to Graham & Sylvia Underlin for the design & layout taken from the British Timken Bowmen’s Beginners Manual, the late Don Stamp (field pictures), Ian Hay (Clout picture) and Quicks Archery for pictures from their catalogue. Purpose This manual has been designed to act as an additional aide mémoire for beginners in the sport of Archery. The information contained in this manual will support the information and instruction that you will be given on your beginners course. However the instruction and information supplied by your coaches should always take precedence over anything contained within this manual. David Clarke GNAS National Coaching Development Officer 2006

“Where possible coaching will be given by qualified GNAS coaches. However, from time to time, Junior Assistant Coaches, trainee level 1 Coaches (working under supported supervision) and un-qualified experienced archers may be involved in coaching and teaching. The GNAS accept no responsibility in this regard, save its statutory liability in respect of personal injury or death caused by the negligence of the GNAS. If you have any objections or concerns about this, please inform the club officer in charge prior to the relevant coaching or instruction session.”


Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Coaching Officer: Child Protection Officer: Shooting Grounds: Outdoor: Shooting times: Indoor Shooting times: Course Information: Date Time: Venue Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Lesson 6.


Course Prospectus.

The course will consist of 6 lessons, each of one & half hours duration. All equipment will be provided, free of additional charge for the duration of the course. You are advised to wear close fitting clothing during the lessons; this helps to prevent your clothing interfering with the path of the bowstring. At the end of the course you will:

• Know and understand the Safety rules and Etiquette of the sport. • Be familiar with the basic equipment used in Target Archery.

• Be able to consistently hit an 80cm target, at a distance of 18 metres.

• Have an understanding of the Organisation of Archery within the United Kingdom

and the World. • Know and understand the scoring systems used in Target Archery.

• Know and understand the basic shooting rules of Target Archery.

• Know and understand the principles of rounds, which are shot in Target Archery.

• Have received information on other forms of Archery.

• Have knowledge of, and have received advice on the selection of your personal

equipment.

• Be able to conduct some simple maintenance of your archery equipment.

• Have received a certificate confirming that you have completed a beginner’s course in Target Archery.

Note: Should you wish to purchase your own equipment, you are advised not to do so until the end of the course. During the course your coach will be able to assess your individual needs and will be able to advise on the bow type and arrow specification best suited to those needs. If you already have your own equipment please get it checked by your coach to ensure its safety & suitability.


Beginners’ Course Programme.

Lesson 1: Equipment: The selection of the equipment that you will use during the course.

The names and purpose of each piece of equipment. How to assemble and brace (string) the bow.

Safety Rules: The basic safety rules, which govern the practice of Archery in the UK.

Warm Up Instruction on the basic warm up exercises Barebow Shooting:

Barebow Technique used in shooting the bow..

Questions: On what we have done so far. Lesson 2: Revision of Safety:

A revision of the previous week’s lesson relating to the safety rules which govern the practice of Archery in the UK.

Freestyle Technique:

The development of the Barebow technique into the conventional freestyle technique, using face walking.

Questions: On what we have done so far. Lesson 3: Freestyle Technique:

A continuation of the development of freestyle shooting.

Sights and sighting:

An introduction to bow sights and sighting techniques.

Rounds and scoring:

An introduction to GNAS & FITA Rounds and Scoring systems.

Questions: On what we have done so far. Lesson 4: Freestyle Technique:


Recording Scores:

The procedure used in recording Target Archery scores.

Structure of Archery:

The Structure of Archery in the UK and Worldwide.

Etiquette: Instruction into the rules of Etiquette that govern Archery in the UK.Questions: On what we have done so far.


Lesson 5: Freestyle Technique:


Other types of Bows & other forms of archery

Information on other types of bows used in Archery. Information on Other forms of Archery.

Equipment maintenance

How to maintain: Bowstrings, nocking points, arrow rests & arrows.

Questions: On what we have done so far. Lesson 6: FITA Archery Challenge:

An opportunity to gain a first level FITA beginners award.

Personal Equipment:

Advice on the Selection and Purchase of your Personal Improvers Equipment.

Costs Details of cost of membership to this Club and the Grand National Archery Society.

Presentations: Presentation of Beginners Certificates and FITA Beginners awards.


Personal Information

Name: Address: Phone: Mobile: e-mail. Parent or Guardian Where required (Emergency Contact) Name: Address: Phone: Mobile: e-mail Assigned Coach: Name: Grade: Address: Phone: Mobile: e-mail.


Beginners Equipment Information

Assigned Equipment Bow Right hand Left hand Bow number: Bow length: Draw weight:

- 0 – 0 – 0 - Arrows: Length Fletching Colours Nock Colour


Lesson 1.

Basic Archery Equipment During this lesson you will be allocated the equipment that you will use on the course.

Bottom Limb

Riser

Belly

Back

Handle

Top Limb

Arrow rest

Bowstring

Centre Serving

Nocking pointBow nock

Recurve

Bow window

Basic Recurve Bow

Loop serving

Bracing height

Limb bolt

Pile Shaft

NockFletchings

Cresting

Basic Arrow

Basic Arm Guard Basic finger tab.

Belt Quiver Ground Quiver

Limb bolt


Safety Rules Safety is of prime importance in Archery, all of the safety rules commands & designated areas detailed below are preventative medicine, but basically they are common sense. Waiting Area: is behind the waiting line and is where you wait until summoned to

come forward. Waiting Line: is the line, which separates the waiting area from the equipment

area. Equipment Area: is the area between the waiting line and the shooting line, where

the equipment (bows etc) is kept when not in use by the archer.

Shooting Line: is the line from which the archers shoot their arrows. Do not move from the waiting area to the shooting line until you are instructed to do so by your designated coach.

Shooting Range: is the hazardous area that is only entered with the permission of

the person in control of the shooting and always with extreme caution.

Shooting Equipment Do not touch equipment until instructed to do so. It remains on

the shooting line or in the equipment area contained by the ground quiver or similar until required for use.

Drawing the Bow Only draw the bow when you are on the shooting line and facing

towards the target even without an arrow fitted to the string. NOWHERE else.

Respect Others: Never shout or talk loudly to anyone who is on the shooting line

or on the waiting line. Respect Equipment: and each other, actions such as prodding or pointing arrows could

cause serious injury. Only Go Forward: of the shooting line with the permission of the person in charge

of the shooting. Come Down: means relax the bowstring tension without letting go of the

string at any time until the bow is at rest again.


Fast: means both ‘Hold Fast’ and ‘Stand Fast’. Stop whatever is being done IMMEDIATELY and hold onto the string tightly. Do Not Shoot but come down. Remove arrow from the string and replace it in your quiver or similar. Wait for the next instruction.

Whistle Commands: are often used and must be obeyed. They are:

1. A single blast to start shooting. 2. Two blasts to collect arrows from the target. 3. A series of rapid blasts means ‘FAST’

Verbal Commands: These are used as an alternative to whistles and usually are:

Commence Shooting, Collect Arrows & Fast. Never: Dry Shoot a bow without an arrow attached to the string, this

can cause serious damage to the bow. Only loose when you have an arrow on the string and you are aiming at the target.

Shoot upwards vertically in the air. “What goes up must come

down!! This could kill or seriously maim, as it is impossible to see its return flight.

Only: Load an arrow into the bow when you are on the shooting line and

intending to shoot, and only when the range is clear and it is safe to shoot.

Aim a bow at the target boss or the ground with or without an

arrow in the bow. Not at anyone or anything else. Arrow Retrieval - Safe approach to collecting. When all have shot and the line is clear, before collecting the arrows, the Coach will give an instruction to approach the targets. The pupils walk single file down the outer edges of the range towards the target line, ever watchful of shortfall arrows protruding from the ground. Nobody runs. Walk don’t run: when going to the target as falling on arrows damages them and

causes personal injury Always look: for any arrow that could be hidden in the grass and could cause

injury to ankles and shins


Approach: the target boss from the side – not from the front. Don’t touch

anything - wait for the next instruction. On arrival at the target line, the Coach will decide who will withdraw the arrows. Arrows in or on the ground within the area underneath those in the boss are left until last.

Stand back: from the target to allow “pullers” to work freely. Do not tread on

arrows in or on the ground in front of the target. Approach them from the side and retrieve them carefully so as not to stab yourself on the nocks of the arrows still in the target.

Ensuring: they do not tread on any arrows still in or on the ground, archers

wait their call to identify their arrows so the scorer can record them (if this is being done).

Pulling arrows: out of the target. This is done by placing the back of one hand

against the target face with the other hand on top of the shaft. Then grasping it as near to the pile end as possible lay the forearm along the shaft and maintain a straight line of pulling force whilst withdrawing the arrow.

Beware: The Nock is now the most dangerous part of the arrow. So,

whilst looking backwards over the shoulder to check that nobody is too close or has strayed into the path of the arrow to be pulled, the nearest arrow is withdrawn without twisting, at the same angle as it entered the boss. The retrieved arrow is placed pile downwards between the thumb and the palm of the non-drawing hand. This process is repeated always pulling the nearest arrows irrespective of whose they belong to – they will be sorted out later in the equipment area.


Return from the Targets After the arrows have been pulled from the targets, any that are under the target can now be retrieved. The Coach will check that all arrows have been found and arranges a search if not. Once all the arrows at the target end have been retrieved, the archers should carry the arrows back safely. Beware: arrows in the grass can cut feet and ankles if not spotted so care is needed. It is safer to approach arrows protruding from the ground with the nocks away from you. Arrows are removed in the same way as at the target. Any deeply buried arrows will have to be dug out and sometimes pulled forwards straight through the grass if the fletchings only are submerged. Upon arrival back at the shooting line, the arrows are sorted into matched sets and replaced in their ground quivers or similar ready for the next end.

Make sure one hand is braced against the target when pulling arrows. Once an arrow has been pulled, transfer it into the other hand (the one against the target). You can use the back of the hand, while closing the arrows in the fingers, or make a fist with the arrows in it and put the fist against the target.

Aligning all arrows grasp the shafts above the piles, so that approximately 25mm (1") protrudes from the hand Secure the arrows against the upper body under the armpit taking care not to crush the fletchings This prevents injury if anybody falls, as the piles will not stick into the hand or leg.


Warm Up Exercises

Shoulder circles With the hands lightly on the shoulders make small circles with the elbows, gradually increasing the size of the circles so that the whole shoulder area and shoulder blade is being used.

Triceps StretchWith the hands at the back of the shoulders, lift the elbows to a vertical position, sliding the hands further behind the head to achieve a stretch. Hold where it is comfortable but stretching for 8 – 10 seconds then relax.

Neck Stretches Place the hand lightly on the side of the face by the lower jaw; turn the head to the side, gently pressuring with the hand. Hold the position for a few seconds, then relax. Change sides and repeat, reversing the stretch.

Allow the head to roll forward to stretch the back of the neck

Never allow it to fall backwards as this is considered unsafe.

Torso side stretchFeet astride and knees flexible –do not lean back or forwards during the stretch. Bend sideways one hand on the hip (or sliding down the leg) and raise the other above the head so that the side of the body and the upper arm form a straight line. Stretch as in picture.


Point of Aim shooting sequence

Standing Stand with feet shoulder width apart and bow arm shoulder pointing toward the centre of the target.

Bow hand position Set the bow hand low onto the bow handle, with the pad of the thumb taking the pressure. The fingers then relax as the hand pushes against the bow.

Nocking Push the arrow firmly onto the nocking point on the bowstring.

Make sue that your bow does not interfere with other archers on the shooting line whilst you nock the arrow and prepare to shoot.

Placing fingers on the string Place your fingers onto the bowstring so that the first three fingers are below, and just touching the arrow. The string should be in the first joints of the fingers.


Commencing the draw Raise the bow to eye level and start to draw the bow using the muscles of the back on the string hand side. Keep bow shoulder down and relaxed, keep string hand relaxed.

Completing the draw Move the string hand toward the face. Keep the string hand flat and vertical.

Aiming Aim the pile (point) of the arrow at the centre of the target.


Face location Draw to the side of the face with the arrow nock adjacent to the corner of the mouth.

Activating the releaseContinue to create pressure in the back, maintaining a straight line between the drawing elbow and the pile of the arrow.

The Release & follow-throughRelax the fingers of the string hand whilst maintaining the pressure in the back. The string hand should move along the side of the face and the bow should push slightly toward the target.

The Back position The bow arm shoulder should remain down and inline throughout the whole of the shot.

The shoulders and spine should form a cross shape.


Notes from Lesson 1

Coaches feedback & notes from lesson 1


Lesson 2

Revision of safety rules; Refer to pages 9 – 13.

Conversion to Freestyle Technique The main differences between the Barebow and freestyle techniques are:

• The introduction of an adjustable sight. • The finger position on the bowstring. • The reference point on the face.

Adjustable sight: An adjustable sight is fixed to the front of the bow; this allows you to aim with greater accuracy. The sight can be calibrated for each distance that you will shoot. It can also be adjusted left & right to allow for wind.

Bow sight

The illustration shows a simple bow sight, a similar sight will be fitted to your training bow.

Sighting / aiming The sighting pin should be viewed between the blur of the string and the bridge of the nose. The pin should be aimed at the centre of the target

Simple bow sight

Sighting / aiming


Freestyle stringhand location

Finger position In the freestyle method of shooting three fingers are still used, but the index finger is placed above the arrow and the second and third fingers below the arrow.

Freestyle string finger position

Stringhand location With the freestyle technique the stringhand location is under the chin, with the bowstring usually touching the nose and the side of the face the weight of the bow is distributed equally between the three drawing fingers.

The whole shot

This view shows the pin appearing in the small gap between the nose and the bowstring.

Note the bowstring down the centreline of the bow, which is its correct position.


Notes from Lesson 2



Lesson 3 Sights & sighting (aiming) & Freestyle technique Refer to pages 18 & 19. Rounds & scoring

Rounds In target archery a round consists of a fixed number of arrows, shot over predetermined distances. Essentially rounds are divided into two categories Imperial (British) & Metric (International). Imperial rounds are shot over yard distances, the longest distances are 100 yards for men and 80 yards for ladies. International rounds are shot over metric distances, the longest being 90 metres for men and 70 metres for ladies. Junior boy and girl archers also have equivalent distances which depend on the age of the individual.

The number of arrows shot in a round can vary from 144 to 36. Normally archers start to shoot at the longest distance first, shooting a set number of arrows, following which they move down to the next distance and so forth. For example, in a YORK round which is the men’s imperial championship round you would shoot 144 arrows: 72 at 100 yards, 48 at 80 yards & 24 at 60 yards.

Scoring Targets vary in size from 122cm (4ft) down to 40cm. In imperial rounds the target is divided into 5 distinct, equally sized, scoring zones, coloured from the inside: Gold (yellow), Red, Blue, Black 7 White the scoring for these is White 1 point, Black 3 points, Blue 5 points, Red 7 points & Gold 9 points. For metric rounds the 5 colours are sub-divided so that the inner gold, score 10points, the outer gold 9 points, the inner red 8points the outer red 7 points and so forth.

A full list of rounds can be found in the GNAS Rule of Shooting.

1 point

2 points

3 points

4 points

5 points 7 points

8 points

9 points

10 points

6 points


Notes from Lesson 3



Lesson 4.

Recording scores. Scores are normally recorded on an official score card provided by the competition organiser. These are filled in using a pen, by one of your target companions, it is not usual for you to complete your own score card.

Scores are, depending on the round being shot, recorded after every six arrows have been shot. You will call the value of your own scoring arrows, your target companions will watch to make sure that you have called to correct value. You start by calling the highest value arrow first, and call in sets of three pausing between each set, for example 10-8-8 pause 7-7-1. Misses and non scoring arrows are recorded as an M.

An example of a typical score card. Target No 6 Archer B Name A. Archer Club Nonsuch Archers Hits Score Golds Acc Score 10 9 9 7 7 M 7 7 6 5 2 1 11 70 1 8 8 8 6 5 5 10 10 9 8 8 M 11 85 2 155 9 9 8 7 6 6 10 10 9 7 7 7 12 95 2 248 10 7 7 6 MM 8 8 8 6 5 1 10 66 1 314 Totals 44 314 6 The structure & Organisation of Archery in the UK & World wide. The Grand National Archery Society (GNAS) is recognised by UK Sport, the British Olympic Association and the Home Nations Sports Councils as the National Governing Body for Archery in the UK. The GNAS is based at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Nr Newport Shropshire. The Society is managed by a Board of Directors who are elected by the membership. The day-to-day management is in the hands of an employed Chief Executive Officer and Office Staff. The GNAS was founded in 1844.

The Society is divided into 8 Regional Societies: Southern Counties, Northern Counties, East Midlands, West Midlands, Grand Western, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. Each Regional Society has a degree of autonomy and is responsible for the County and Area Associations within their Region. Internationally the sport is governed by The Federation of International Target Archery (FITA) based in Lausanne Switzerland. FITA control the sport world wide, organising Olympic and World archery Championships.


Notes from Lesson 4



Lesson 5.

Other Types of Bows. Longbow

Compound bow. The compound bow is effectively a machine, using a system of pulleys to achieve a relatively low holding weight at full draw For example if the peak weight at the start of the draw is 50lbs, when full draw is reached the holding weight can be reduced by 75% to around 12.5lbs. Compound bow are increasingly popular in the UK, for both target and field archery.

Crossbow The crossbow has a rather limited appeal in the UK, some clubs do not allow its use, although it is permitted under the GNAS rules of shooting. Most crossbows still follow the traditional design, shooting a relatively short bolt over shorter ranges.

Longbow

The longbow still remains a favoured weapon for many archers who prefer the more traditional form of Archery.

Traditional Longbows are made entirely from wood, such as yew, hickory, Osage-orange & lemonwood, although some modern bowyers use ‘fibreglass’ glued to a wooden core.


Other forms of Archery.

Field Archery Whereas target archery is practiced on a flat range shooting a set number of arrows a predetermined distance. The practice of Field Archery takes place in woods, undulating fields and hillsides. There are a number of disciplines within this branch of the sport, but mainly the targets are either ‘marked’ where the shooting distance is known by the archer or ‘un-marked’ where the distance is not known.

Flight Archery Flight archery is simply shooting to see who can shoot the furthest distance. Flight bows are usually very short in length and very heavy in draw weight, often these bows will self-destruct after a few shots. A Persian Prince is reputed to have shot an arrow to a distance equalling almost 1 mile.

Clout Clout is a traditional form of the sport where the archers shoot at a small flag or target set at longer than usual distances. Traditionally for men 180 yards and Ladies 140 yards.

A traditional ‘Clout’ match between The Royal Company of Archers & The Woodmen of Arden circa 1949.


Simple Equipment maintenance.

Bow strings: These should be waxed using beeswax: when strings become frayed or damaged they should be discarded. Nocking points and nock locators. The nocking point is very important and should be checked regularly - it should be tight enough to hold the arrow onto the bowstring and just loose enough to allow it to fall off if the string is tapped slightly. Normally nocking points are set 6mm above the centerline of the arrow when on the arrow shelf. Your coach will show you how to fit nocking points. Arrows Arrows should be straight and free from cracks or damage. The nock should be put on so that it is completely vertical in line with the arrow. Fletchings should be properly aligned and secured to the shaft. Your coach will show how to check your arrow for straightness and to fit nocks and fletches.

A simple fletching jig.

An arrow straightener


Notes from Lesson 5



Lesson 6

Personal Equipment Your coach will advise you on the next range of equipment you will need to improve and develop your skills or on the purchase of your own personal equipment. Bow specification Right Hand Left Hand Bow type Bow length Approx draw weight Sight Arrow rest Stabilisers Arrow type Arrow length Approx arrow specification Tab type Bracer type Quiver type Other accessories.

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