Recurve Bow:
This is an example of a recurve bow (right). The basic set up includes a riser (the handle bit in the middle), two limbs (the ends that the bow string attaches to), an arrow rest and a bow string.
When using a bow it is important that you know the length and poundage of the bow. The poundage refers to how much weight is being pulled when you draw back the bow string to your anchor point.
With recurve bows the poundage increases according to how far back you draw the string. The name 'recurve' is due to the ends of the bow curving forwards.
The example on the right is the same bow style as those shot at the olympics! However, you can shoot a recurve without a sight or stabilisation to be classed as barebow or H&T (H&T is for field archery only - see below!)
Compound Bow:
A basic compound bow set-up includes a riser, cams (the elliptical wheels at the ends of the riser), an arrow rest and a bow string. The compound bow is designed so that the poundage decreases as you pull back the string; however the force behind the arrows is increased making them faster and therefore improves the accuracy.
Due to the immense pressure being put on the fingers a release aid is often used. Telescopic lenses and spirit measures can also be attached to the bow to help with accuracy and consistency - here your style would be classed as Unlimited.
In field archery you can shoot a Limited style using five pins acting as sight markers for set distances and without any sight aids for the Bowhunter class. Both these classes would shoot off their fingers!
A cool video on how a compound bow is put together and works can be found HERE
Long Bow:
A long bow is a D-shaped bow roughly the same height as the archer and made from one piece of wood. It is the sort of bow people associate with Robin Hood and traditional archery. A huge emphasis is put on technique when shooting a long bow as there is no stabilisation, sights or arrow rests.
You can watch a video covering the history of the English Longbow HERE
There are other styles of bow you can shoot such as the American Flat Bow (AFB), Hungarian or Mongolian. So there is really a bowstyle there for everyone!
Styles of shooting for NFAS Competition:
There are many styles of shooting that are allowed under NFAS (National Field Archery Society) ruling. The complete list of bow styles that can be used in NFAS competitions are:
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Freestyle
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Hunting Tackle
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Longbow
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Crossbow
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Primitive
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American Flatbow
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Barebow
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Bowhunter
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Compound Limited
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Unlimited
For more information on the different styles visit the NFAS Website for more details.
Arrows:
An arrow usually consists of the shaft, a nock (the end that clips onto the string), a point (the sharp bit at the other end) and three to four fletchings (can be either plastic, feather or other specialised material, numbers dependant on bow). Just like bows, arrows come in all shapes and sizes. Ranging from aluminium, carbon, wood or a combination of materials, the type of arrow you will use is dependant on the type of bow you want to shoot and how much you are willing to spend.
It is important to get the right arrows for your bow and ability, if the arrows are too 'stiff' they wont fly straight so always get advice from club members, coaches and from the archery shops.
You can watch a slow motion video of an arrow leaving a bow on release by clicking HERE
