This page is an introduction to the basics of archery and to ULA. Here you can find a copy of the club constitution as well as information about different bows and variations of the sport. |
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This page is an introduction to the basics of archery and to ULA. Here you can find a copy of the club constitution as well as information about different bows and variations of the sport. |
There are several different types of archery, the most well known being target archery, which uses paper targets at distances up to 100 yards. Below are brief descriptions of the other types.... |
Field: This includes shooting, with out sighting aids, at targets of varying distance and size. Often seen as the 'truest' form of archery, field shoots mainly take place in woodland areas for the maximum challege (It's pretty darn hard to make a good shot when you are up to your knees in mud, a tree is blocking your way and you are getting attacked by mozzies!). Field shoots mostly use concentric circle targets, but some times use pictures or 3D models of animals with 'Kill' zones marked on them. Points are awarded for hits and 'kills'. Clout: Clout shooting uses targets that are 12ft in radius.... but there's a catch: They are flat on the ground 180yards away! The target centre is marked with a bright flag and points are awarded for getting close to this centre point (5 points within a radius of 18 inches; 4 points for between 18 inches and 3ft.... down to 1 point for between 9 and 12ft). The clout targets are at different distances for different classes and ages of archer: Gents over18 - 180yd; Ladies over18 and junior boys - 140yd; Junior girls - 120yd. All types of bows (excluding cross-bows) can be used for clout shooting. Flight: The aim of flight shooting is is to shoot an arrow as far as you can (sounds easy enough, huh?). These shoots have to take place in a venue that ensures a safe (i.e. no one can enter the range whislt the event is in progress) area of more than ***yards in length, which is the current world record. Markers are placed at 150yards from the shooting line and then at 50 yard intervals to atleast 50yards beyond the existing longest distance shot in the U.K. Flight competitions are divided into sections for different types and weights of bow. Popinjay: This involves shooting vertically upwards at a feathered corks (because archers are too friendly to shoot at real birds, plus we can never get them to sit still anyway!). After a shot the archer retreats under a protective cage so that they don't get hit by their own arrow on its way down! Different points are awarded for the size and height of the 'bird' hit, the heighest score being earnt from displacing the 'cock' bird which is at a height of 90 feet. Only arrows with blunts from 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter are used for popinjay. Golf: Played on a golf course, archery golf works to the same rules as normal golf (including the all popular "19th hole"). Archers are only allowed to use one bow through out the game, although any type of arrow cqan be used. Along the course pentalty shots are given for arrows landing in a bunker or in the rough. Archers 'hole out' by hitting a white cardboard disc 4 inches in diameter. Darts: This replaces a normal 4ft target face with that of a printed dartboard. A game of archery darts is exactly the same as normal darts, but usually more accurate - The Middlesex County Darts team champions have been white-washed ( 10 - 0 ) four years running by archers using fiberglass bows with out sights. Curiously the darts team have declined our invitation of a 5th year of competition! Hunting: More popular in the U.S. than here, this involves the hunting of animals with compound bows because of their extra available speed and poundage (would you want to provoke an elk?). Clay pigeon shooting (!!): Not actually a recodnised form of archery, but has been attempted by those ambitious (hopeful) enough to think they could hit it! - They didn't! |
ULA is a target archery club, but even though we stick to one type of archery we use three different styles of bow. The contrast between these styles (along with 'Star Wars' fanatics) has lead to one of them being seem by some as the DARK SIDE of archery... |
Longbows: Made from a single length of yew wood, this is the origional bow used by Robin Hood (yawn!). Although, from the time of Mr Hood the Poundage (weight held by the archer in pulling the string) of the longbows has decreased from 150/200lbs to around 60 (so much for evolution!!). Compared to other types of bow, the longbow is less accurate, but debatably more fun to shoot! Star Wars comparison: Yoda Recurve bows: Made from two limbs inserted into a wooden/metal riser, recurves obviously appear more high-tech than longbows, especially with the addition of sights and stabalising aids. Recurves are the Luke Skywalkers of the archery world - less use of the force than Yoda, but still not as techno as Darth Vader (compound bows). Star Wars comparison: Skywalker Compound bows: A technical mish mash of wheels, strings and spirit-level sights this is the true Vader of archery! i.e. it has the most mechanical aids to the shot and certainly looks the coolest (you should see one of these beauties going through customs!). Compound bows work by having a pulley type system to aid drawing up a higher poundage bow. The wheels either end of the bow allow a 'let - off' of weight so once the bow has been drawn past the peak weight, the draw weight seems to disappear. This is due to the mechanical advantage given by eccentric wheels and cams (but not both). Star Wars comparison: Vader |
Most of the members of ULA shoot with recurve bows, although some also practice longbow and/or compound (Keith has dabbled in all three!). Training bows (recurve and compound) are available for beginners to use as they learn archery. If a novice then decides they would like to take up archery on a more serious basis, advise and guidence will be given to help them select the right equiptment for them. Experienced members of the club are always willing to accompany first-time bow-buyers on their shopping trips! A very basic wooden recurve set you can be obtained for about £130, although we would recommend higher quality bows as they will serve the intermediate archer better. |
