A bow and arrows. If these elements were formerly considered as defense and hunting weapons, today they are essentially used for the practice of archery. A sport practice with multiple disciplines, which requires physical strength, concentration and precision.
“Our dean is over 80, so it’s an activity for everyone”, exclaims Marion Lenglet, secretary of the archers club of Saint-Avertin sports (Casas). In this structure created nearly 40 years ago, some 150 people practice archery throughout the year. “In archery, there are two seasons”indicates the one who has been a member of the Saint-Avertinois club since 2010. In winter, generally from September to March, the archers only do indoor shooting. “The adults shoot at 18 meters, on faces 40 cm in diameter. »
In summer, the diversity of disciplines is much greater. First there is outdoor archery. It can be practiced with a recurve bow, on a 122 cm target face located 70 meters away, or with a compound bow, on an 80 cm target installed 50 meters away. Still outside, there is also the federal shooting for which the archers are 50 meters from a 122 cm target face. To these disciplines must be added course shooting: nature shooting (course of 42 targets, where the objective is to aim at coats of arms representing animals), 3D shooting (course of 24 targets, where archers shoot at life-size representations of animals) and field shooting (course with yellow and black coats of arms of different sizes). Among course shooting, the archers of Saint-Avertin practically only practice field shooting.
Come rain or shine, licensees are in principle able to shoot outdoors whatever the weather. “Outdoors, we are just further from the targets but the technique remains the same. Afterwards, it’s training to learn how to control your bow according to the wind. It is also feeling, feeling. We have to learn to play with the external conditions., develops Marion Lenglet. She also explains that archers must also know how to protect their equipment from the rain. A detail that is learned with time and practice.
Objective: score as many points as possible
For all these disciplines, the objective is simple: to score as many points as possible, by hitting the center of the face. For outdoor shooting with a recurve bow – which is the Olympic discipline – the points on the target go from 10 to 1. The coat of arms consists of ten circles of different colors (yellow, red, blue, black and white) and each color represents two scores. Depending on where the arrow lands, the yellow will be worth 10 or 9 points, the red 8 or 7 points, the blue 6 or 5 points… in knockout matches. For indoor shooting, sixty arrows are shot in the qualifying round. In the same way, the sportsmen can then meet during knockout matches.
If there are different types of bows, the most used remains the classic one – composed in particular of a sight, a stabilizer which makes it possible to dampen vibrations and a controller of extension to know when to let go of the rope. “It’s the first one you handle, the one with which you learn the technical basics. Afterwards, we can switch to compound bow if we wish », comments the archer. The latter allows “multiply the forces, to be more precise”. The arrow will also go faster. “Mine goes at 278 km/h”exclaims a licensee who came to train in the new club room, located at the Bellerie sports center.
“Concentration is a very important element. It is this mental aspect that will tire us first. »
With initiation bows offered from 50 euros, the secretary of Casas affirms that archery is a sport accessible to the greatest number. “Then, for leisure, from 250 euros you can have something sufficient to have fun”, she adds. For competition, however, the price of bows can increase considerably. “A recurve bow can cost 2,000 euros, the same for a compound bow. But, they can keep for quite a long time”, guarantees Marion Lenglet. For beginners, the Casas lends equipment for one or two years. However, it is necessary to plan some additional expenses for more personal accessories, such as the pallet to protect your fingers, the quiver to put your arrows, an arm guard, your arrows…
An evolving practice
When an archer begins archery, it is important to teach him the correct technical basics. “Basic gestures and posture: stand up straight, shoulders low…she explains quickly. And the repeatability of the gesture is essential. The more you repeat it, the more the arrow will go to the same place. The power of the bow must also be adapted to the practitioner’s physique, so that he does not injure himself. We also prepare young people muscularly. » Also, a beginner will start shooting 5 meters from the target, then gradually back up. “The idea is not to put everything aside, otherwise it’s not funny. It has to be scalable. » To master her bow well and progress, the archer recommends at least two two-hour training sessions per week. “But it all depends on your ambitions and everyone’s availability”she nuances.
The practice of this sport requires physical strength but above all a lot of concentration. “You have to be able to go the distance. It’s endurance over time but, if you’re well prepared, your physique isn’t the main limiting factor. On the other hand, concentration is very important.summarizes Marion Lenglet. It is this mental aspect that will tire us first. You have to be able to concentrate when you shoot, let go and then quickly refocus. » Ultimately, archery combines effort, precision, dexterity, calm and self-control.
Article: Emilie Mette
