Archery has existed as a sport and as a method of warfare for hundreds of years, in many different countries.
Today it is an Olympic sport and has its own world championships run by the international governing body, FITA (Federation Internationale de Tir a l'Arc).
There are many forms of archery; the main ones practised in the UK are:
- Target archery: archers shoot a round of up to four different marked distances at targets with 10 scoring rings from a defined shooting line, typically on a sports field.
- Field archery: archers shoot a round of marked or unmarked distances at targets either with 10 scoring rings, or traditional "field" targets; archers move from target to target and the course will typically be laid out in woods and rough terrain.
- Clout: archers shoot at distances up to 180 yards from a shooting line to a peg in the ground. A rope tied to the peg is marked out in the colours of a target, and this is used to score the arrows on a virtual target on the ground.
There are three basic types of bow in use in competition:
- Traditional longbows - these are one-piece bows made from several laminations of wood. The only sight allowed on a longbow is a simple rubber ring, which slides up and down the top limb of the bow.
- Recurve bows - these are made from a central wood or metal handle, called the riser; at either end of the riser, limbs made from wood, glass or carbon fibre are inserted. A simple sight is used, without magnification or back-sight, and stabilisation, in the form of metal or carbon rods, can be attached to the riser.
- Compound bows - these have a central riser, and shortened limbs which end with a wheel-and-pulley arrangement. This mechanism "takes off" the draw-weight of the bow beyond a certain point, so the archer is not holding all the weight. Magnifying sights with spirit levels can be used, and a back-sight (called the peep sight) is permitted.
Archery can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to pensioners, as a serious competitive sport or an enjoyable, relaxing hobby.
