Recently, on a few Saturdays starting back
in April, I've been going to Hamadera sports park to get my license in archery.
I realized I needed some kind of activity that would get me out of the house
and would provide some kind of exercise as well.
I
had no knowledge of archery beyond what little I did in the Boy Scouts, so I
thought it was “pull the string, let go,
and arrow hits target.” But, it's a lot more complicated than that. The coaches
at the archery park here have been working with me and about ten other people,
some kids and some adults, who want to get into
archery.
The
most important thing they stress when we
practice is our form, or how we shoot, and there are eleven things that happen
when we do this.
1:
Stance. Place your feet about
shoulder-length apart straddling the
firing line.
2:
Nock. Place the arrow on the arrow rest,
and push the end of the arrow (the nock) onto the string.
3:
Set your draw hand. Place your draw hand
on the string, your index finger above
the arrow, and the other fingers below.
4:
Set your bow hand. Grip the bow handle between your thumb and index finger. Try
not to hold the handle with your fingers.
5:
Pre-draw. Raise the bow arm while keeping your shoulder down, the sight going slightly above the target.
6:
Draw. Lower the bow sight onto target as yo
u pull back the string.
7:
Anchor. Draw the string back until your
index finger touches the lower part of your jaw.
Continue drawing with your back.
8:
Aim. Focus on the distant target and place the sight on the center of the
target.
9:
Shot set-up. After reaching the anchor point and your sight is on target, begin
to move your draw hand back.
10: Release.
Relax the fingers of your drawing hand and let the string naturally flow from
your hand.
11:
Follow-through. Your hand should continue to your shoulder, or the second
anchor point.
Archery
is all about being consistent in these eleven actions, one slight derivation
can and will lead to your arrow missing its mark. I know I have a long way to
go before being consistent, but so far I'm having a blast
practicing archery!
pull the string：弦を引く
get into：打ち込むようになる
stress：強調する
Stance：足の位置、姿勢
Straddling：足を広げて立つ
Nock：弓筈(ゆはず) 《弓の両端の弦を掛ける所》
draw hand：引手（右手）
index finger：人差し指
sight：照準
bow hand：弓手（左手）
Anchor：（碇をおろすように）固定する
Jaw：あご
Release：（矢を）放つ
blast：
As the days now start to get warm, I cannot help but recall
those days. A lot has changed in New York since then, but one thing never
changes: it’s still the most exciting place in the world, offering the energy
and excitement that no other place can match.
