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.

Some of the best equipment is made in South Korea, where young people learn the techniques and skills, and consider it an enjoyable sport.

Archery is great for developing hand-eye coordination and can be a fun 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. My instructor said there are 14 steps to shooting an arrow.

Additionally, 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.)

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 develop an appreciation for the sport.

As you learn the ropes, keep this video in mind. Lars Anderson has taken archery to new levels, while reminding us what it might have been like in combat thousands of years ago.