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A Basic Illustrated Guide to Using a Bow
This article describes the western european style of archery. Other different
styles exist; for example Arabian, Mongolian and Japanese archery (Kyudo). I won't
attempt to cover those here.
First, it is desirable to have a large open space, like a empty football field,
in which to shoot. Short grass or bare earth is ideal if you want to find any
arrows which miss the target. The target should be placed halfway down the range,
not at the end, so that any arrows that overshoot don't fly off the range. Don't
fire arrows into the air, they can fly a long way!
When shooting with other people, always obey the commands of the range-marshal
with repect to when to start and stop shooting - they will be watching for people
or animals that might wander onto the range. People have been know to display
remarkably little sense in this regard. Speak up if you're the first to spot a
pedestrian. Stand in a line, neither in front of or behind the other archers.
Stop when told to stop, even if you still have arrows, because the other archers
will probably start walking towards the target at this point!
If shooting alone, you must take responsibility for the range yourself, so keep a
sharp eye out for pedestrians.
Examine your bow for cracks (or other obvious faults), and your bowstring for
fraying or broken strands before you begin. A cracked bow can shatter when drawn.
Never fire your bow without an arrow on the string, because all the force will be
re-absorbed by the bow, causing stress fractures to form over time.
Assuming you have checked these things, and there are no problems, you're ready
to begin. Adopt a relaxed stance (but don't slouch). If you're right handed, hold
the bow in your left hand (you will draw with the right), and stand side-on with
your left side pointing towards the target (reverse this if you're left handed).
If an arrow were layed across your shoulders or your heels it should point at the
target, or slightly to the side - if your left shoulder is pointing towards the
target, such an arrow would point at the target or slightly to the left of it,
never to the right (again this is reversed if you're left handed).
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