Archery

Archery is an old military art that was used by ancient armies, including those of the Greeks. Perfected by Teucer in Homer’s Iliad within the Trojan War, it was one of the first long-distance personal-use weapons. Greek heroes, such as Hercules and Odysseus, employed bows and arrows in warfare, with the latter using them in defense of his home and family.

In modern times, fictional characters like Robin Hood and J.R.R. Tolkien’s elven hero Legolas have popularized the bow. Today, archery is an Olympic sport, and thousands of people compete in tournaments and clubs worldwide.

Archery is great for developing hand-eye coordination and can be an exciting and fulfilling activity to learn. If you’re interested in learning, I recommend looking up archery clubs in your area. An introduction lesson should include basic safety, equipment instruction, and shooting technique. Shooting an arrow requires deliberate practice; my instructor said there are 14 steps to it.

Also, you’ll need to select a bow type; several options are available. Olympic bows are different from bare bows or traditional long ones. (I recommend taking an introduction lesson before you buy equipment.) Some of the best equipment is made in South Korea, where many young people enjoy and compete in the sport.

Even if you decide archery is not for you, it’s worth trying. If you take a few lessons, you will get the feel of it, build your confidence, and increase your knowledge of the sport.

As you learn the ropes, keep this video in mind. An archery master named Lars Anderson has reminded us what archery in combat might have been like thousands of years ago.