Archery: Difference between revisions

[[File:ArcheryGermanyEarly1980s-2.jpg|thumb|Archery competition in June 1983 at [[Mönchengladbach]], [[West Germany]]]]

'''Archery''' is the sport, practice, or skill of using a [[Bow and arrow|bow]] to [[shooting|shoot]] [[arrow]]s.<ref name=Paterson17>Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 17</ref> The word comes from the [[Latin]] {{lang|la|arcus}}, meaning bow.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Charlton T. Lewis |author2=Charles Short |title=Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary, arcus |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0059:entry=arcus |website=Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary |publisher=Oxford. Clarendon Press |access-date=23 September 2020 |date=1879}}</ref> Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat. In modern times, it is mainly a competitive sport and recreational activity. A person who practices archery is typically called an '''archer''', '''bowman''', or '''toxophilite'''.<ref>The noun "toxophilite", meaning "a lover or devotee of archery, an archer" derives from ''[[Toxophilus]]'' by [[Roger Ascham]] —"imaginary proper name invented by Ascham, and hence title of his book (1545), intended to mean 'lover of the bow'." "toxophilite, n." ''Oxford English Dictionary''. Second edition, 1989; online version November 2010. <http://www.oed.com:80/Entry/204131>; accessed 10 March 2011. Earlier version first published in ''New English Dictionary'', 1913.</ref>

The oldest known evidence of [[arrow]]s (not found with surviving bows) comes from [[South Africa]]n sites such as [[Sibudu Cave]], where the remains of bone and stone arrowheads  have been found dating approximately 72,000 to 60,000 years ago.<ref name="Lombard2020">{{Cite journal|title=The tip cross-sectional areas of poisoned bone arrowheads from southern Africa |journal=Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports |volume=33 |year=2020 |doi= 10.1016/j.jasrep.2020.102477 |vauthors=Lombard M|page=102477 |bibcode=2020JArSR..33j2477L |s2cid=224889105 }}</ref><ref name="Backwell">Backwell L, d'Errico F, Wadley L.(2008). Middle Stone Age bone tools from the Howiesons Poort layers, Sibudu Cave, South Africa. Journal of Archaeological Science, 35:1566–1580. {{doi|10.1016/j.jas.2007.11.006}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wadley |first1=Lyn |year=2008 |title=The Howieson's Poort industry of Sibudu Cave |journal=South African Archaeological Society Goodwin Series |volume=10}}</ref><ref name="Lombard">{{Cite journal|title=Indications of bow and stone-tipped arrow use 64,000 years ago in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |journal=Antiquity |volume=84 |issue=325 |pages=635–648 |year=2010 |doi=10.1017/S0003598X00100134 |vauthors=Lombard M, Phillips L|s2cid=162438490 }}</ref><ref name="Lombard M">{{Cite journal|title=Quartz-tipped arrows older than 60 ka: further use-trace evidence from Sibudu, Kwa-Zulu-Natal, South Africa |journal=Journal of Archaeological Science |year=2011 |doi=10.1016/j.jas.2011.04.001 |vauthors=Lombard M|volume=38 |issue=8 |pages=1918–1930 |bibcode=2011JArSc..38.1918L }}</ref><ref name="Backwell2018">Backwell L, Bradfield J, Carlson KJ, Jashashvili T, Wadley L, d'Errico F.(2018). The antiquity of bow-and-arrow technology: evidence from Middle Stone Age layers at Sibudu Cave. Journal of Archaeological Science, 92:289–303. {{doi|10.15184/aqy.2018.11}}</ref>

[[Classical antiquity|Classical]] civilizations, notably the [[ancient Assyrians|Assyrians]], [[Ancient Greece|Greeks]], [[History of Armenia|Armenians]], [[Achaemenid Empire|Persians]], [[Parthia]]ns, [[Ancient Rome|Roman]]s, [[History of India|Indians]], [[History of Korea|Koreans]], [[History of China|Chinese]], and [[History of Japan|Japanese]] fielded large numbers of archers in their armies. [[Akkadian Empire|Akkadians]] were the first to use [[composite bows]] in war according to the victory stele of [[Naram-Sin of Akkad]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Zutterman|first=C.|date=2003|title=The bow in the Ancient Near East. A re-evaluation of archery from the late 2nd Millennium to the end of the Achaemenid empire|journal=Iranica Antiqua|volume= XXXVIII}}</ref> Egyptians referred to [[Nubia]] as "Ta-Seti," or "The Land of the Bow," since the Nubians were known to be expert archers, and by the 16th Century BC Egyptians were using the composite bow in warfare.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mc Leod|first=W.E.|date=Jan 1962|title=Egyptian Composite Bows in New York|journal=American Journal of Archaeology|volume= 66|issue=1}}</ref> The Bronze Age Aegean Cultures were able to deploy a number of state-owned specialized bow makers for warfare and hunting purposes already from the 15th century BC.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bakas|first=Spyros|date=2016|title=Composite Bows in Minoan And Mycenaean Warfare|url=https://www.academia.edu/27466913|journal=Syndesmoi|publisher=University of Catania|volume=4}}</ref> The [[Welsh longbow]] proved its worth for the first time in Continental warfare at the [[Battle of Crécy]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Bow Evolution | url = http://www.archery-den.com/bow-evolution/ | access-date = 12 December 2016 | archive-date = 20 December 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161220091812/http://www.archery-den.com/bow-evolution/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> In the Americas archery was widespread at European contact.<ref>{{cite book|last=Zimmerman|first=Larry J.|title=1985 Peoples of Prehistoric South Dakota|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln and London}}</ref>

Early recreational archery societies in England included the Finsbury Archers and the Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers. The latter's annual [[Popinjay (sport)|Papingo]] event was first recorded in 1483. (In this event, archers shoot vertically from the base of an abbey tower to dislodge a wood pigeon placed approximately {{convert|30|m|abbr=on}} above.)<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us - Club History|url=http://www.kilwinningarchers.com/about_us.php|website=Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers|access-date=24 January 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202030330/http://www.kilwinningarchers.com/about_us.php|archive-date=2 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Royal Company of Archers was formed in 1676 and is one of the oldest sporting bodies in the world.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Norton|first1=William|title=Royal Company of Archers|url=http://yeomenoftheguard.com/company_of_archers.htm|website=Yeomen of the Queen's Body Guard|access-date=24 January 2017|archive-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331001405/http://yeomenoftheguard.com/company_of_archers.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Archery remained a small and scattered pastime, however, until the late 18th century when it experienced a fashionable revival among the [[aristocracy]]. Sir [[Ashton Lever]], an antiquarian and collector, formed the Toxophilite Society in London in 1781, with the patronage of [[George IV|George, the Prince of Wales]].

The National Archery Association of the United States was organized in 1879, in part by [[Maurice Thompson]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inductee – J. Maurice Thompson - Archery Hall of Fame and Museum|url=http://www.archeryhalloffame.com/Thamposn,%20Maurice.html|access-date=2022-02-07|website=www.archeryhalloffame.com}}</ref> (the author of the seminal text “[[The Witchery of Archery]]”) and his brother [[William Thompson (archer)|Will Thompson]]. Maurice was president in its inaugural year and Will was president in 1882, 1903, and 1904.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inductee – Will H. Thompson- Archery Hall of Fame and Museum|url=http://www.archeryhalloffame.com/Thompson%20Will.html|access-date=2022-02-07|website=www.archeryhalloffame.com}}</ref> The 1910 President was Frank E Canfield.<ref>1910 Spalding Official Archery Guide, Spalding Athletic Library & Library of Congress.[http://nebula.wsimg.com/3e8092da33da68bda77739463098a2fd?AccessKeyId=A203C91555201A4407B4&disposition=0&alloworigin=1//] Retrieved Dec 11, 2020</ref> Today it is known as USA Archery and is recognized by [[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee]].<ref>Geneva Archery. [http://www.genevaarchery.com/archery%20info.htm//] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708110314/http://www.genevaarchery.com/archery%20info.htm|date=8 July 2020}} Retrieved Dec 11, 2020</ref>

To shoot an arrow, an archer first assumes the correct stance. The body should be at or nearly perpendicular to the target and the shooting line, with the feet placed shoulder-width apart. As an archer progresses from beginner to a more advanced level other stances such as the "open stance" or the "closed stance" may be used, although many choose to stick with a "neutral stance". Each archer has a particular preference, but mostly this term indicates that the leg furthest from the shooting line is a half to a whole foot-length from the other foot, on the ground.

The bowstring and arrow are held with three fingers, or with a mechanical arrow release. Most commonly, for finger shooters, the index finger is placed above the arrow and the next two fingers below, although several other techniques have their adherents around the world, involving three fingers below the arrow, or an arrow pinching technique. ''Instinctive'' shooting is a technique eschewing sights and is often preferred by traditional archers (shooters of longbows and recurves). In either the split finger or three finger under case, the string is usually placed in the first or second joint, or else on the pads of the fingers. When using a mechanical release aid, the release is hooked onto the D-loop.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Billets to Bows|last=St. Charles|first=Glenn|date=March 1996|publisher=Saint Charles Enterprises |isbn=978-0965139403}}</ref>

{{More citations needed section|date=March 2011}}[[File:Archery in Bhutan.jpg|thumb|Archery in Bhutan]]

Mechanical sights can be affixed to the bow to aid in aiming. They can be as simple as a pin, or may use optics with magnification. Modern compound bows usually also have a peep sight (rear sight) built into the string, which aids in a consistent anchor point, but this is not allowed for other bow types under World Archery. Modern compound<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sung |first1=LokMan |last2=Kesha |first2=Kilak |last3=Avedschmidt |first3=Sarah |last4=Root |first4=Kelly |last5=Hlavaty |first5=Leigh |date=2017-06-12 |title=The Modern Compound Bow |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1556-4029.13503 |journal=Journal of Forensic Sciences |volume=63 |issue=1 |pages=130–139 |doi=10.1111/1556-4029.13503 |pmid=28605023 |hdl=2027.42/141095 |s2cid=46806116 |issn=0022-1198|hdl-access=free }}</ref> bows automatically limit the draw length to give a consistent arrow velocity, while traditional bows allow great variation in draw length. Some bows use mechanical methods to make the draw length consistent. Barebow archers often use a sight picture, which includes the target, the bow, the hand, the arrow shaft and the arrow tip, as seen at the same time by the archer. With a fixed "anchor point" (where the string is brought to, or close to, the face), and a fully extended bow arm, successive shots taken with the sight picture in the same position fall on the same [[Predicted impact point|point]]. This lets the archer adjust aim with successive shots to achieve accuracy.

Modern archery equipment usually includes [[Sight (device)|sights]]. Instinctive aiming is used by many archers who use traditional bows. The two most common forms of a non-mechanical release are split-finger and three-under. Split-finger aiming requires the archer to place the index finger above the nocked arrow, while the middle and ring fingers are both placed below. Three-under aiming places the index, middle, and ring fingers under the nocked arrow. This technique allows the archer to better look down the arrow since the back of the arrow is closer to the dominant eye, and is commonly called "gun barreling" (referring to common aiming techniques used with firearms).

=== Intuitive shooting ===

Intuitive shooting is a style of shooting that includes the barebow aiming method that relies heavily upon the subconscious mind, proprioception, and motor/muscle memory to make aiming adjustments; the term used to refer to a general category of archers who did not use a mechanical or fixed sight.<ref name="bear">{{citation

When a projectile is thrown by hand, the speed of the projectile is determined by the [[kinetic energy]] imparted by the thrower's muscles performing [[Work (physics)|work]]. However, the energy must be imparted over a limited distance (determined by arm length) and therefore (because the projectile is accelerating) over a limited time. As such, the limiting factor is not work but rather [[Power (physics)|power]], which determines how much energy can be added in the limited time available. Power generated by muscles, however, is limited by [[Muscle contraction#Force-length and force-velocity relationships|force–velocity relationship]], and even at the optimal contraction speed for power production, total work by the muscle is less than half of what it would be if the muscle contracted over the same distance at slow speeds, resulting in less than 1/4 the projectile launch velocity possible without the limitations of the force–velocity relationship.

Competitive archery involves shooting arrows at a target for accuracy from a set distance or distances. This is the most popular form of competitive archery worldwide and is called [[target archery]]. A form particularly popular in Europe and [[Americas|America]] is [[field archery]], shot at targets generally set at various distances in a wooded setting. Competitive archery in the United States is governed by USA Archery and National Field Archery Association (NFAA), which also certifies instructors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Archery/Resources/About-Us |title=About Us |access-date=12 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105090748/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Archery/Resources/About-Us |archive-date=5 January 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

* [[Modern competitive archery#3D archery|3D archery]]

* Enea Bianchi, “[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58763ec0c534a5e7e2b65fe2/t/61cc158783a70e720e772f68/1640764808068/Popular+inquiry_Vol9_2021_2_Bianchi_corr1.pdf Philosophies of Archery]”, {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231070041/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58763ec0c534a5e7e2b65fe2/t/61cc158783a70e720e772f68/1640764808068/Popular+inquiry_Vol9_2021_2_Bianchi_corr1.pdf |date=31 December 2021 }}, in ''Popular Inquiry'', vol.2, 2021, 22–37.

[[Category:Precision sports]]