Y.A.C.S. - Youth Archers of CS!

[Lunaestrella]

Username: Lunaestrella
Nickname (what you'd like us to call you): Just call me Luna
Would you rate yourself as beginner, intermediate, or experienced archer? (please be honest): Beginner
Preferred type of bow (recurve, compound, etc.): I'm not really sure what those mean. But I like longbows, like Legolas, Robin Hoodish style. For now all I've had is home made bows that I've made, so I don't think they would really fit in with any of those
Preferred type (target, field, flight, etc.): I'm not sure.
Do you hunt or hope to hunt in the future?: Well, if suddenly all technology went down and we had to live in the wild (which won't happen ) I would. But I love animals, and I see no reason why they should be killed. If I was starving to death, I would. But why kill more animals when we already have meat and plenty of food to live off?
Do you compete or hope to compete in the future?: I would like to compete if I ever get good enough at it
Preferred aiming technique? (Barebow or sight)?:I'll seem foolish, but I don't know much archery (I haven't even got a decent bow). So I don't know which. But I'm hoping to learn more about archery here, because I've been fascinated about it since I was about four, and I would love to become a good archer

[Pure Dragon]

Glad to have you here. ^^ I've been fascinated with it for as long as I remember (I might have been 4 too, but maybe younger), so that summer a couple years back when my grandparents showed me a bow I freaked and went out to shoot with it. (Man, I shot like crap back then. xD) So every summer (or winter) when I saw my grandparents I would shoot those bows (they actually have 3) and a couple weeks ago I finally got my own bow!

[Lunaestrella]

Thanks!
And you are so lucky! I've made thousands of bows, but they are more like sticks with string tied on and they don't really work. I once shot with a friend's bow, but it was only once or twice
My mum has promised to take me to archery lessons in a few weeks, though! Yay! *happy dance* I would love to have a bow of my own, especially a wooden one, though it might be harder to shoot with. But they just look awesome!

[Pure Dragon]

I made my own bow once from maple. Spent five hours on it. I don't really know if the bow itself was good or not, because the string I used kept stretching and breaking (which it's not supposed to stretch, the power comes from the bow) and the bamboo arrows I made were less than straight. (Plus they didn't have fletching.) Oh well. xP

Good for you! Hope you have fun with that. Also, I do believe that most wooden bows are harder to shoot, although I'm not sure. Another thing is that most wooden bows are probably hand-carved by pro bow-makers, and therefor much more expensive. (The ones I've seen are $300 to $400!) If you like more of the traditional bows like the one Legolas uses, I would suggest starting out with something like this. It's got a pretty good poundage for youth archers (although it make take a week or two to do it easily, depending on how much exercise you usually do), is a real nice, plain recurve and has lots of other great stuff. (Price has jumped $16 since I got it, though...) If you get that one, the only thing wrong with it I'd say is those wierd little plastic tabs that are supposed to be arrow rests or whatever. My plastic tab broke off when I shot the second arrow though, so problem solved. xD

[Lunaestrella]

I found a replica of Legolas' bow made by one of those professional bow makers. It was 300$ or something I definitely can't save up for that But that bow is awesome! It does look very nice, and if it is good for beginners, then I might get it . But I probably won't be able to get it till my birthday or even christmas , and it might be sold out by then. But anyway, I'll just have to try to win another writing competition or something before that

[Pure Dragon]

No worries, if it sells out they'll get more. ^^ And, that's only showing one company - there are many other companies on Amazon selling the same bow, so you needn't worry about it being out of stock.

The thing I do when I can't shoot is practice anyways. If you're not worried about looking wierd in front of people, you can practice your form. You can also recite key points or points that you have trouble with in your head (or out loud), or you can practice focusing on a quarter sized object. I know I have trouble focusing on the spot I want to hit, which is why I mention that last one. x3

[Lunaestrella]

I dunno, I'll try that!
Sorry, got to go now. But I'll be back later

[Pure Dragon]

No problem, talk to ya later. ^^

[Lunaestrella]

I'm back!!!

[Pure Dragon]

'Ello again. ^^ I'm gonna be here for a short while but I gotta go soon to do laundry and pack. Speaking of reciting key points, I may as well list them if you or anyone else is interested:

1. Stand parallel to target.
2. Feet about shoulder width apart.
3. Non-dominant foot (hand you hold bow with) slightly forwards.
4. Knees loose but straight.
5. Body straight up and down.
6. Hold bow out straight, shoulder level.
7. Hold bow lightly against meaty part of palm.
8. Hold knock of arrow with pointer finger above, middle and ring finger below.
9. When holding knock, put padded part of fingertips on the bowstring.
10. Pull back to a set anchor point. (I put the outermost knuckle of my thumb against the corner of my mouth.)
11. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS on that tiny spot you want to hit.
12. Keep holding bow in position until arrow hits the target.
13. Repeat. Don't consciously try to adjust your aim. In fact, ignore the arrow. Just focus on that dot. Your brain, in time, will learn to calculate the way you should aim and subconsciously move your arms to that position. (Instinctive shooting takes a long time to learn, but is more accurate (and cooler) than shooting with a sight.)