With the equipment sorted the coaches moved on to tell us about range safety, setup and signals. A range has targets at one end and archers shoot from shooting lines at set distances (metric or imperial) from them. If more than one distance is being shot at the same time, all archers shoot from the same shooting line and the targets are moved to the correct distance. This is quite simply to reduce the risk of someone being hit by an arrow shot from behind. The waiting line is a couple of metres behind the shooting line and archers must retreat behind this line unless they are actually shooting. In charge of safety on the range is the Range Captain, who is equipped with a whistle to give signals:
1 blast : Start shooting an end (a set of arrows, usually six for outdoor distances)
2 blasts : All archers finished shooting. Safe to approach targets to score and collect arrows
3 or more blasts : DANGER! Stop shooting immediately and unload arrows.
The danger signal can also be given by any archer shouting the word FAST, and may be used if someone enters the range unexpectedly, or if some other hazardous situation occurs. Where there are many archers on the shooting line, the Fast call is often repeated along the line.
Suitably briefed on equipment and safety it was time to approach the shooting line, where the coaches assessed us for the size length of arrows to use. An arrow used in recurve archery is actually constructed from a number if parts. The shaft is a long hollow tube of lightweight metal or carbon fibre, or both. Into one end is fitted a tip, usually kept in place with hot-melt glue; into the other end is a nock, which is a coloured plastic insert that clips lightly to the bow string. At the nock end, fletchings are attached to the arrow, a short distance from the end. Fletchings are plastics vanes that help the arrow fly straight and are glued parallel to the shaft at 120° intervals. They are usually chosen so that there are two of one colour and one of a different colour; the odd-coloured fletching is called the cock-feather and will be perpendicular to the bowstring when the arrow is correctly loaded. Differing colours of fletchings and mocks also allow archers to identify their arrows in a target. Suitable arrow length is determined by holding your right hand in front of your face with your thumb on your nose and fingers splayed (wave it around and you get a familiar expression beloved of small children!). The left hand is held up as if stopping traffic. An arrow should rest in the crook between left thumb and forefinger when the nock is against the palm of the right hand.
Confusingly there are alternative whistle commands used under different circumstances, especially when there are timed ends in competition.
ReplyDeleteNormally three whistles signals the end of shooting and prompts a rousing three cheers for the Field Captain.
The hazard warning is usually initially indicated by a shout of "FAST" as that is quicker than using a whistle to give multiple blasts (more than three) but you may hear either or both.