Who among us has had that exhilarating neophyte archery moment? If you’ve never tried archery, you’re missing out on a fun sport that has captivated people for generations. If you’re a fan of great movies and TV from a provider like www.direct.tv, then you’ve seen archery in action. Archery is regularly featured in movies like “Robin Hood” and “Lord of the Rings,” and you can also see it at the Olympics. Learn what you can do today to get involved in an ancient sport with great potential for growth, and without the mess and fuss of many alternative physical pastimes.

There is something sensual but simultaneously visceral about archery. Some might say that it ranks right up there with the invention of fire and golf as one of civilization’s milestone inventions. In any case, it could be great fun, and it’s a past-time that can be shared by your whole family.

Anyone can get into this sport fairly inexpensively. Beginner bows and arrows are readily available in most communities. Visit your local pawn dealer or find a nearby pro shop by searching with a fast satellite internet or cable provider.

If you can spare a small up-front expense, indoor archery ranges usually provide one-stop-shops for everything that you will desire. There aren’t many sports that can combine all of the recommended physical activities for general good health maintenance and add a zing of instant accomplishment like archery. Get involved and feel the thrill!

Taking care of your bow is one of the most essential things that you can do to ensure a long life and accurate strike every time you pull it back. There are a few simple techniques that any archer can do to ensure your bow is properly cared for.

One of the most important things that one can do is to wax the bow strings. If they look fuzzy then it is time for a wax. The strings are the most important things to ensure it keeps performing at a top level. You will also need to Read the rest of this entry »

In 1977, James Shaw set a score of 552 from a distance of eighteen meters. This record is an amazing archery accomplishment. In 2011, Sandra Horton scored 453 from eighteen meters. The collegiate ranks saw an impressive performance from David Roth. In 2007, he scored 598 from eighteen meters.

These impressive archery records show what can occur with dedication and concentration. These amazing archers developed their talent via hard work and practice to achieve amazing results.

In 1996, Italian Michele Frangilli set a world record of 684. This feat was accomplished during the Atlanta Read the rest of this entry »

Are you competative in nature, or do you like trying new events and sports? Or, are you just looking for something fun and new to try, and are up for any challenge. No matter what the reason behind your interest in the sport of archery, joining a group or organization is a great way to properly learn the sport, get the right tips and advice, learn to be a competitor in the sport, and meet other enthusiasts in the sport of archery, who share the same Read the rest of this entry »

The month of September ended with an interesting development at the Italian Institute of Technologyone that probably has more ramifications for robotics than for archery, but it still bears mentioning here. Italian scientists taught a robot named iCub not just to shoot an arrow, but to actually learn how to do so. Through a program algorithm known as ARCHERshort for Augmented Reward Chained RegressioniCub practiced with a toy bow and rapidly developed his skills. It took it only eight tries to be able to hit the bullseye. For those of you worried by this development, you can take heart in the fact that the scientists had to re-slot the arrow after each shotcurrently. They’re working on teaching iCub to do that by itself, as well. Hopefully this interesting new development doesn’t backfire on usfor now, it remains an impressive step forward in robotic learning techniques.

If you’re planning on taking up archery as a hobby, you’ve got a couple big advantages over the ancient hunters who first perfected the art. First, since you’re not hunting, you don’t need to actually hit anything to survive. Second, you have many more options in choosing a bow than the elm and yew models that the earliest archers used.When selecting a bow, it’s important to consider two major qualities: reliability and consistency. A reliable bow will stay strong without torturing a beginning shooter, and a consistent bow will shoot the same way each time. The shooter’s aim should be the only thing determining where the arrow ends up, not a cheap bow. Read the rest of this entry »

With the 2012 Summer Olympics coming up in London in two years, athletes around the world are busy training. Though not a traditional “team”, the United States’ Olympic archers are preparing as hard as anyone. Several hopefuls are still in the running, such as Kristin Braun, who has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno last year. The athletes from the 2008 Olympic Team are not sitting on their laurels, either.Brady Ellison started out shooting on a compound bow but switched over to the recurve (the only bow allowed in the Olympics) in 2005. He became a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California in 2005. At the 2008 Olympics he was narrowly defeated in the second round with a score of 113-107. Read the rest of this entry »

The sport of archery dates back thousands of years, and while the gear and equipment may have changed (somewhat), it was still a respected art even at the beginning of its popularity. Many gods and goddesses have been associated with archery throughout the years, revealing their virtues and strengths.The Greek and Roman god Apollo is the god of light and the sun, and was often portrayed with a bow and arrows. These were given to him by the god Hephaestus in order to kill the dragon Python, which was hunting down his mother. Later, Apollo shot plague-infected arrows during the Trojan War in order to recapture Chryseis, the daughter of one of his chief priests. He was also responsible for killing Achilles, who had earlier killed Apollo’s own son, Troilus. Read the rest of this entry »

Picking out your first bow is the hard part, but it’s worth it for the fun and rewards that can follow. One of the most entertaining parts is picking out accessories for your bow to enhance your aim, ease your comfort, or just provide something to shoot at. Here are a few of our favorites when it comes to making your shooting experience all that it can be.

• Will Stop II Small Target (Archery Accessories Online, 29.99): While a stack of hay can serve as a makeshift target in the interim, you’ll eventually want to upgrade to something a little more professional. Targets make arrows easier to retrieve and are also water resistant, so you don’t have to worry about leaving it out in the yard. This small target is perfect for beginners. Read the rest of this entry »

As with any specialized discipline, archers use a unique terminology when discussing their sport. If you’re planning on getting into the game, or just want a handy reference guide to some of the more difficult terms, read on.

• Anchor point: This is the point that a person pulls the string to before releasing. The anchor point for an individual should always be the same and should have an easy reference point on the body, like the mouth, ear, or something similar.
• ASA: The Archery Shooters Association is a national organization which holds an annual tournament for archery enthusiasts. Archery can be an individual or competitive sport, but if you’re interested in testing your skills against others, visit their website.
• Center shot: The center shot refers to a bow with a sight window that looks towards the centerline of the string. There are a number of techniques for finding the centerline online, but beginners can also ask professionals for assistance. Read the rest of this entry »