Did you just start archery? You probably have lots of questions, so we put together five tips to boost your archery knowledge.
Key Lingo
Archery jargon baffles many beginners. Cams, risers and servings might mean little to you now, but they’re important bow parts. Knowing how to talk archery will make it easier to learn the sport, and go shopping for equipment.
To start, check out this article of archery terms.
Equipment Must Fit
Some sports equipment comes in standard sizes and requires no adjustments or alterations to fit the user. Archery gear is the opposite. Bows and arrows come in various sizes to precisely fit each individual.
When buying a bow, you’ll work with archery-shop technicians to fit a specific bow to you for maximum comfort and performance. They’ll start by measuring your draw length, which is how far you pull back the bowstring. After determining that measurement, the fun starts. You’ll shoot several bows and decide which one feels best.
Get a Coach
Whether you’re a serious competitor or recreational archer, you need a coach to help achieve your goals. Do you want to win tournaments or beat friends and siblings in balloon shoot-offs? Either way, good instructors improve your skills. Click here to find an instructor nearby.
Many Ways to Enjoy Archery
You’ll never run out of fun ways to shoot arrows. You can bowfish, shoot 3-D animal targets, punch bull’s-eyes into paper, compete in field archery, or just shoot for fun in the backyard. Whatever your preference, archery provides an array of exciting activities to keep you engaged.
You also have several bow options, including compounds, recurves, longbows and crossbows. You can’t go wrong when choosing a bow. It’s personal preference. You can try them all at the archery shop and read about them in our Archery 101 section.
Where to Shoot?
Archery ranges come in all shapes, sizes and settings. Archery shops, archery clubs and some communities have indoor and outdoor ranges. If you’re lucky enough to have space at home to shoot, you can buy a target and set up a garage, basement or backyard range.
If you’re ready to put your newfound knowledge to use, find an archery shop nearby and start shooting!
