TR I ED & TESTED
Right on target ADD ANOTHER STRING TO YOUR BOW AT PEACOCK ARCHERY, THE LOCAL CLUB MAKING AN AGE-OLD SPORT ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. FRANCES MCNAUGHTON UNCOVERS THE AIM OF THE GAME SHOOT YOUR SHOT
eacock Archery is keeping the spirit of archery alive in Cambridgeshire. It’s run by bowman extraordinaire Philip
Watson – chairman of the Cambridgeshire Archery Association, and president of the Southern Counties – along with his wife Mary, who is an accomplished archer herself. The duo have expanded the club over the past seven years to make the sport accessible to all levels and abilities – whether you’re an old hand, or have never picked up a bow in your life! Either way, before you start, you’ll need to determine your eye dominance. This is a hugely important factor when it comes to shooting, as your dominant eye may, or may not, line up with your dominant side (you may be right-handed, but left-eyed, for example). You can adjust your shooting style to counteract cross-dominance, by closing whichever eye is on the opposite side of your body to your bow when you take aim. This cancels out the parallax error and makes it easier to home in on the target. Speaking of your target, the one you will be aiming at is, in fact, called a ‘boss’. Archery novices begin with it positioned around ten metres away – slightly lower to the ground, so it is easier to hit – and go from there. Over time, you build up strength and increase skill level, moving the target further away. It’s important to challenge yourself if you ever become too comfortable. As a beginner, you start out shooting barebow. This means that you work on basic archery skills, and won’t have any of the fancy add-ons to aid your aim. A quiver attaches to your belt, in which the arrows are stored and should remain until you’re standing on the shooting line. Once there, you’ll take an arrow from
EYES ON THE PRIZE Archery requires steady focus, precise technique and the ability to stay calm under pressure
boss. It’s important to steady yourself at this point, relaxing into the position, while keeping your posture nice and straight. That way, you’ll have more control over where the arrow lands. When ready, let go of the string, releasing the arrow in the hope it will land in the gold – which, with practice, it just might. Ultimately, archery is an exercise in self-control. It’s very popular among those with highly stressful jobs, but it’s also an ideal sport for people with special educational needs. In addition to offering stress relief, the specific requirements and repetition involved in archery often suit autistic children and adults very well. It provides an opportunity to empty the mind and focus solely on the task at hand. After all, the aim of the game is simply to shoot your arrows as close to the centre of the target as possible. To find out how you can get involved in the upcoming archery sessions at Bottisham Village College, visit the Peacock Archery website. peacock-archery.co.uk
the quiver and secure it in the nock of your bowstring, placing the shaft onto the little arrow rest – located on the bow’s riser (centre piece). You then grip the curve of the riser with your non-dominant hand, securing it firmly between thumb and forefingers, before positioning your knuckles at a 45-degree angle to the bow’s body. Then, you place the first three fingers of your dominant hand – Brownie salute- style – on the string, right beneath the fletches of your arrow; before raising the bow and pulling the string taut. Your index finger should catch the corner of your mouth, once in position. From here, you’re ready to take aim. Looking directly down the shaft of your arrow, locate the desired target on the
ULTIMATELY, ARCHERY IS AN EXERCISE IN SELF-CONTROL
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK OCTOBER 2021 35
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