Archery World Beginners Information

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Welcome to the Archery World beginners guide. Here you can find some useful information to help you start shooting.

Types of Archery
There are two main forms of archery,

Target Archery

This is the type of archery you are most likely to be familiar with, and is the Olympic form of the sport. It consists of shooting a given number of arrows at targets at a set distance.

Field Archery

Takes place on a course of targets set out in rough country (often woodland). The shooting distances are fequently unmarked so that archers have to rely on judgement and instinct. As well as the traditional targets, field archery can also include animal targets.

Official Website: National Field Archery Society

Other forms include:

Clout and flight

Styles of Bow
A quick look at our bows section will show you the vast range of bows available. They can be broken down into four types:

Fibreglass

These are the basic beginners bows, these are good for children showing an interest in archery, but a recurve bow is more suitable if the child wishes to pursue the sport further. Click here for fibreglass bows, and here for fibreglass kits

Recurve

This is the only bow style allowed at the Olympics. Mainly associated with target archery, and ideal as a starter bow, recurve is the most popular style of archery in the UK. Click here for recurve bows and here for recurve kits

Compound

Compound bows are the newest type of bow, and almost anything is allowed as long as it is not electronic. These bows consist of cams to make drawing the bow easier and giving a much larger weight. Accessories include telescopic sights and release aids. Click here for compound bows and here for compound kits

Traditional

Archery in its simplest form, traditional bow include English Longbows, American Flatbows and Japanese Kyudo Bows. Wooden arrows with feathers are usually used. Other accessories include quivers and gloves.

Equipment
We offer a range of beginners' kits that contain all the essentials needed to start shooting.

The Bow:

Arrows:

Right or Left Handed?
If you hold the bow in your left hand and pull the string with your right hand you are RIGHT handed.

If you hold the bow in your right hand and pull the string with your left hand you are LEFT handed.

It is important that you remember if you are left or right handed as it will apply to most accessories as well as bows.

Finding Your Bow Length
Height guide to selecting bow length:

under 5' 6" = 64"

5' 6"-5' 10" = 66"

5' 10"-6' 2" = 68"

6' 2"& over - 70"

Finding Your Draw Weight
There is no set way of finding your draw weight, the best way is to try a few different weights out either at our Preston showroom or at your local club

Here is a rough guide:

Light Limbs 16-20#

Medium Limbs 20-26#

Heavy Limbs 28-32#

Which do you select?

It is safer to select a draw weight that is on the light side as this will most likely cause less physical strain. This is especially important for juniors.

Ability to draw is determined firstly by technique and then by strength.

You may want to use the following as a rough guide:

Juniors 16-24lb

Ladies 16-28lb

Men 16-32lb

As technique and strength increase it may be possible to increase your draw weight

For further assistance please call us on 01772 698600

Finding Your Draw Length & Arrow Length
To find out your approx. draw length hold a tape measure in your bow hand and then pull (draw) the tape measure as you would a bow string to the corner of your mouth. Make sure you are standing as if you were going to shoot and that your bow arm is out straight and the elbow of the arm you are holding the string with is kept high and in-line with your bow arm. You should look like the picture below.

Finding Your Arrow Length

Now you have an idea of you draw length, we advise you add at least 2" to your measurement to get your arrow length, this is for personal safety as it can be very dangerous to shoot with an arrow too short.

Finding Your Arrow Spine
Click here to use the spine selector

Further Information
If you require further information please contact us:

Tel: 01772 698600 (Preston) or 015395 58141 (Lakes)

Email: enquiries@archeryworld.co.uk

Alternatively, your local club will be able to offer help and advice, see our club links page for your local club.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This section is currently being developed. If you have any suggestions or comments please email us

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