Reference guide for Recurve archers Originally produced for Grange and Balbardie archery clubs. Editor: Murray Elliot [email protected] The latest edition of this document may be downloaded from: http://www.archersreference.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk Edition: 4 Issue Date: 21 March, 2002 Copyright ©1999-2002 All information contained herein and copyrights remains with the original authors. Because the contributors have given of their time and wisdom freely, no part of this document may be reproduced in part or in whole for any form of gain or profit without the prior consent of the authors. Any and all modifications must be approved by the authors and all acknowledgements must remain. 2 1 FOREWORD ...................................................................................................................................5 2 EQUIPMENT ..................................................................................................................................5 2.1 BOWS .........................................................................................................................................5 2.1.1 Technical terms for beginners. ..........................................................................................6 2.1.2 Selecting the correct bow length........................................................................................6 2.1.3 Risers .................................................................................................................................7 2.1.4 Limbs .................................................................................................................................8 2.1.5 Strings..............................................................................................................................10 2.1.6 Buying a bow ...................................................................................................................19 2.2 ARROWS...................................................................................................................................20 2.2.1 Technical terms for beginners .........................................................................................20 2.2.2 Material ...........................................................................................................................20 2.2.3 Choosing the correct length.............................................................................................21 2.2.4 Choosing the right arrow.................................................................................................22 2.2.5 Points...............................................................................................................................22 2.2.6 Fletchings or Vanes .........................................................................................................23 2.2.7 Nocks ...............................................................................................................................24 2.2.8 Maintenance ....................................................................................................................25 2.2.9 Jargon..............................................................................................................................25 2.3 SIGHTS .....................................................................................................................................25 2.3.1 Construction/materials ....................................................................................................25 2.3.2 Cost..................................................................................................................................25 2.3.3 Sight pin/crosshair/sight ring? ........................................................................................26 2.3.4 Sightmarks .......................................................................................................................26 2.4 ARROW RESTS ..........................................................................................................................26 2.5 PRESSURE BUTTONS .................................................................................................................26 2.5.1 Setting up a second button...............................................................................................27 2.5.2 Maintenance ....................................................................................................................27 2.6 STABILISERS.............................................................................................................................27 2.7 OTHER ACCESSORIES ................................................................................................................28 2.7.1 Bracer (arm guard)..........................................................................................................28 2.7.2 Tab...................................................................................................................................28 2.7.3 Quiver ..............................................................................................................................28 2.7.4 Chest Guard.....................................................................................................................29 2.7.5 Slings ...............................................................................................................................29 2.7.6 Clicker .............................................................................................................................30 3 TUNING .........................................................................................................................................31 3.1 WHAT?.....................................................................................................................................31 3.2 WHY?.......................................................................................................................................31 3.3 HOW? .......................................................................................................................................31 3.3.1 Step 1 – Preliminary Setup ..............................................................................................31 3.3.2 Step 2 – Bracing Height...................................................................................................31 3.3.3 Step 3 – Nocking Point.....................................................................................................32 3.3.4 Step 4 – Centre Shot ........................................................................................................33 3.3.5 Step 5 – Arrow spine........................................................................................................33 3.3.6 Step 6 – Clearance...........................................................................................................34 3.3.7 Step 7 – Compensating for incorrect spine......................................................................34 3.4 ADJUSTING THE TILLER ............................................................................................................34 3.5 OTHER TUNING METHODS........................................................................................................35 3.5.1 Cushion plunger tuning (Vic Berger method)..................................................................35 3.5.2 Short Distance Tuning, Fine Tuning and Micro tuning...................................................35 3.5.3 Tune for tens (a complete tuning guide from Rick Stonebraker) .....................................35 4 TECHNIQUE.................................................................................................................................43 4.1 THE BASICS ..............................................................................................................................43 4.1.1 Warm up! .........................................................................................................................43 4.1.2 Which hand? ....................................................................................................................43 3 4.1.3 Aiming – One eye or both eyes? ...................................................................................... 43 4.2 STANCE .................................................................................................................................... 43 4.3 THE PRE-DRAW ........................................................................................................................ 44 4.3.1 Nock the arrow, set the drawing and bow hand .............................................................. 44 4.3.2 Bow arm & drawing arm................................................................................................. 45 4.4 THE DRAW AND “ANCHOR”...................................................................................................... 46 4.5 THE RELEASE AND FOLLOW-THROUGH..................................................................................... 47 4.6 THE BEST STYLE....................................................................................................................... 48 4.7 CONCENTRATION (FOCUS)..................................................................................................... 48 4.8 RHYTHM AND MOTION ............................................................................................................