Opinions on arrow numbers to shoot for a beginner

[Witchie Poo Cat]

Hi Guys

Ive just been reading a poll asking how many arrows you shoot a week and it has got me thinking.

I paid my subs last night and have been told I can start shooting immediately! Yippee!! Am sooooooo pleased. Am going to stick to club nights where I can get coached until I officially finish my course then me and hubby can go it alone as well as club nights.

Aaaaanyway, on club nights the number of arrows you can shoot seems to be governed by how long it takes all the archers to shoot and find and retrieve their arrows since you all start and stop shooting at the same time. What I want to know is, if I were to go down to the club field on other nights and weekends what sort of numbers should I be shooting to steadily improve performance and build stamina? Obviously a novice like me couldnt go from shooting 20 arrows in practice to shooting 500 a week just like that! I dont want to injur myself and I know that I need to build up the muscles and stamina as, at the moment, I tier quite easily. What do you think would be a good starting point? Then, what sort of goals should I be setting over the weeks and months (until I can onlys shoot weekends and club night when the dark nights come in!)?

I know you guys cant give me an exact figure since there are lots of factors to take into account but a rough starting point and method for increasing would be much appreciated.

Many thanks for your opinions as always

Witchie Poo Cat

[Tarkwin]

Shoot as many as you are comfortable with, don't go to the field thinking " I will shoot 6 dozen" and when you get to 5 find yourself shooting through pain/twinges.

Don't try to keep up with others around you, if you feel you need a break, take 10 minutes, have a drink and a natter with anyone standing around.

Just my opinion, feel free to ignore me.

T.

[Dave]

I'd start by shooting rounds (always thought the National (6 doz) was a good round to start off with), that way you can build up your endurance, get your classifications and work on your handicap at the same time.


/EDIT: but, as Tarkwin says, don't feel you have to shoot the full round

[Witchie Poo Cat]

Originally Posted by Dave

I'd start by shooting rounds (always thought the National (6 doz) was a good round to start off with), that way you can build up your endurance, get your classifications and work on your handicap at the same time.


/EDIT: but, as Tarkwin says, don't feel you have to shoot the full round

Sorry guys, please excuse my total ignorance here, when you say start shooting rounds do you mean start participating in tournaments or just shoot the number of arrows at each distance as if you were shooting a tournament? The whole classification thing is a mystery to me. I have the little chart that shows round/arrows/distance etc but no idea how you qualify and who monitors your scores etc etc. Is this another thread though?? lol

[Tarkwin]

a round consists of shooting a set number of arrows at a set distance (or distances) onto a defined size target face(the piece of paper).

As an example, a Windsor round consists of 9 dozen arrows shot at three distances, 60, 50 and 40 yds. At each distance you shoot 3 dozen arrows.

There are rounds shot at longer and shorter distances and also rounds where more or fewer arrows are shot.

There is a list of rounds on the webpage linked to below.

http://davidhannibal.co.uk/archery_rounds.htm

You do not need to be in a competition to shoot a round.

As far as Handicaps & classifications go.

Each score you submit to your club records officer will count towards your handicap, the score will be cross referenced against the round you shot on a secret GNAS table. Your handicap is determined by the average of your three best handicap round scores (regardless of the round shot).

Your classification is linked to this, but is determined by the scores you have shot in each round and the rounds you have shot. You will find that some of the higher classifications are not available on all rounds. As an example of this, the highest classification that can be attained by a Gentleman shooting a Windsor is second class. To attain First Class status I need to progress to longer rounds (such as an Albion).

Although progression through the classification ranks is not possible with some of the shorter rounds, handicap improvement is, and often people will shoot shorter rounds just to boost their handicap - though I'm not entirely sure why.

T.

[GreenSteve]

what he said above
good starting point would be to shoot "Short Nationals" 4doz @ 40yrDs & 2 doz @ 30yrds, once you feel comfortable shooting this round and want that extra challenge go to "National" 4 doz @ 60yrds & 2 doz @ 50yrds, and so on by the time you are shooting comfortably on "Nationals" you`ll probably find yourself achieving 2nd class scores and be ready to go onto long nationals for 1st class (or even bowmen scores for the ladies)

[GreenSteve]

also in answer to your original question
shoot as often as you are able and like too but don`t over do it
he more you practice the better you get

[Sponge]

Start with short rounds and the build up in two ways

1: Longer distances
2: More arrows

Don't go to the next longer distance until you are regularily hitting the centre (lets say nearly all shots within the blue). You will get more from getting your technique right at 30 yards than missing the boss half the time at 60 yards. Its hard to see groupings when 3 of them are in the grass. Its also much quicker shooting when you don't spend 5 mins looking for lost arrows each end. You will also find that shooting 8 doz is a lot harder at first than 4 doz.

I started in the winter with Frostbites (3 doz at 30m on 80cm faces). First score was 68, but it has improved since then. Make a note of your scores so you can see progression. 40/30yard rounds should not be too bad a start, but do not feel bad starting at 20 yards. There are some people that seem to want to reverse their sights and shoot 80 yards when they would probably get more from improving their style and stamina at 50 yards so they can increase poundage to get the longer distances.

Remeber that you do it for fun and that picking up injuries will not help.

Sponge.

[geoffretired]

When you first start shooting, it feels awkward and you tire quickly. As the form improves you shoot more arrows before the tiredness kicks in. Feeling tired in the back and arms is usually a good indication of when to think about stopping.
Pain is a separate issue. Sometimes feeling tired means you need a rest and ten minutes later you can shoot some more. When you shoot with just two people, it can lead to shooting many arrows in short space of time. That can bring on tiredness before you have shot for very long. Have a break and go back to shooting later. Warm up properly before you start and warm down properly when you decide to finish for the day.

[GeoffT]

Originally Posted by ruthmc

Speak to your club records officer asap!

Beginners often need help with translating the chart, but the best way to learn is to start doing it, ie shooting a round (try a Warwick, that's only 4 doz arrows, distances start at 20y)

Ruth

Witchie...Club records officer is Brenda, but any of us will try and explain.