Advice

Advice Topics

•

•	Types of archery
•	Buying your first bow
•	Selecting your first arrows
•	Essential Accessories

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Compound Bows

•	Suitability
•	Weight & Draw length
•	Setup

•

Recurve Bows

•	Bow Lengths
•	Limb materials
•	Limb fittings
•	Setup

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Arrows

•	Materials
•	Indoor / outdoor setups
•	Easton target Chart
•	Easton youth Chart
•	Cartel Chart
•	Carbon Tech Chart
•	Carbon Express Chart

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Accessories

•	Buttons
•	Release aids
•	Rests
•	Scopes
•	Sights
•	Stabilizers

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Tuning

•	Compound
•	Recurve

Welcome to the advice pages of Blackrock Archery.
Here you will find information and advice on various topics including the different types of archery, buying your first bow, tuning your bow and more.

Types of archery

Within the UK there are three main disciplines of archery, two types of Field archery and Target archery. Target archery is the form of the sport that most people are aware of as this is what is shot in the Olympics. Target archery involves standing along a shooting line on a flat field shooting a target set at specific distance. Afetr X amount of arrows the target is then moved closer. There is normally 2 – 3 distances shoot throughout a days shooting. (See FITA)
One type of Field archery takes on a format more like golf. There are 28 targets set out on a course. The course is normally set out in a wooded area. Archers will make their way around the course normally in groups of four. Each target is shot at a pre defined distance (the same as a hole in golf). Each archer will shoot 4 arrows at the target and then move onto the next target. Distances vary from under 10 yards to 80 yards and targets can be placed up and down hills and across slopes as well as on the flat. (See IFAA)
Another take on Field archery is run by the National Field Archery Society. In NFAS format archers walk around a 36 target course. Each target will either be a paper animal face or a 3D foam animal. Distances are undisclosed and therefore the archer must calculate the distance before shooting. If the arrow hits the target then they proceed to the next target. However if the first arrow misses the archer must walk to the next peg which will be closer to the animal and take a second shot. A maximum of 3 arrows can be shot per target and the more arrows you shoot the lower the score gets. (See NFAS)

Buying your first bow

It is important that you purchase the right equipment if you want to be good at archery even if you only wish to participate in your home surroundings. For those of you that cannot visit our shop in South Wales here is a guide to ensure you buy equipment suited to your needs.

First you will need to choose the hand. A right handed bow is for and archer that holds the bow in their left hand and pulls the string with their right. The opposite is true for a left handed bow

Secondly you will need to determine the arrow length needed. The easiest way to do this is to stretch your arms out in front of you with your palms together and fingers extended. Get someone to measure the distance from your chest to the tips of your fingers. Add 1 inch to this measurement and you have an approximate arrow length. Remember this length when you come to ordering arrows.

From the arrow length needed you can then work out from the table which length bow you require.

Your arrow Length	Bow Length
14-18	48"
18-20	54"
20-22	58"
22-24	62"
24-26	64"
26-28	66"
28-30	68"
30+	70"

Finally you must select a poundage or bow weight. Poundage is measured at a 28” draw. For every inch you arrow length (calculated earlier) is over 28” you must add 2lb to the weight. The opposite is true for lengths under 28”. Men usually draw around 26 – 30 pounds while women draw around 22 – 26 pounds.

Selecting your first arrows

Each model of arrow will come in different spines (stiffness). It is important that you get the correct spine for your bow in order to get good arrow flight. Correct arrow spine is determined by the arrow length and the poundage pulled. For determining arrow length see “choosing your first bow”.

Remember poundage is calculated at 28” and you must add 2 pound for every inch over and subtract 2 pounds for every inch under. Therefore if you have chosen a bow at 26 pounds however you only pull back 27” then the poundage would be lower by 2 pounds making it 24 pounds.

Our recommended arrow is the Easton Jazz.. Use the Link:spine selections chart to calculate the correct spine for your bow. Cross reference you bow weight with your arrow length.

NOTE: In our online shop all arrows parts are sold separately so you will need to order the nocks, points and fletchings separately. There is a link to the appropriate components on the description pages of each product. If you are unsure what to buy then call us first.

Essential Accessories

Information Coming Soon

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