List of Schools

If your school has Archery as an sporting activity, then please add the name of your school to the list below by sending an e-mail to the author.

(List of Schools will be up-dated when information is made available.)

Inter-School Competitions

(Results of Inter-School Competitions)
(Photo of Students/Teams)

As an example of how Juniors are involved in Archery, please refer to the Association for Archery in Schools based in the U.K.
There is lots of information, results of competitions and photo's.

Archery Equipment

In most cases, I have found that the Archery Equipment used by schools consist of the following:-

Fibreglass bows similar to those shown in the picture may be used as they are inexpensive to buy.
(Approx. $25 to $50 per bow)

These bows are :-
(from left to right)
1120mm long, 4.5 kg. draw weight
1220mm long, 4.5 to 7 kg. draw weight
1320mm long, 7 kg. draw weight
1420mm long, 6 kg. draw weight.

The smallest bow would be suitable for students under 10 years old and the larger, stronger bows would be suitable for students over 10 years old to 14 years old.

There are fibreglass bows available in longer lengths (1525mm) and stronger draw weights ( 9 kg. to 13.5 kg. )
These would only be suitable for students over 14 years old.

Care should be taken to ensure the student has the strength to use a stronger draw weight bow with ease.
Trying to use a bow that is too strong will not allow the student to concentrate on the proper shooting technique.

Using a bow that is too strong can cause stress injury to the finger joints.

Wooden Arrows (usually fitted with metal points, feather fletches and 'Nirk' hunting nocks.)
Arm Guards and Finger Tabs.

Archery Equipment Setup
(Tips for Sport Instructors)

To make the most of this type of equipment, I suggest the following:-

Fibreglass Recurve Bows

As these bows more closely resemble a longbow, they can be shot either right-handed or left-handed, due to the 'wrap-around' type grip. The grip also has a shelf for the arrow.
As this shelf is flat, the arrow has a tendency to fall off when the bow is held vertically, so the student will tend to tilt the bow so the arrow stays on the shelf. As the amount of tilt can effect where the arrow goes, getting consistency can be difficult.

To fix this, I recommend that the bows be fitted with 'Hoyt/Easton Hunter' Arrow Rests
as shown above. They come in right-handed and left-handed types, thick plastic to last longer and with self-adhesive backing for quick replacement.
They will need to be fixed to the side of the bow as close as possible above the shelf.

Bowstrings

The bows should have a proper 'Dacron' Bowstring fitted with served end loops and centre-serving. The bowstring should be the correct length for each bow and have the correct number of strands for the draw weight of each bow. The bowstring should have enough twists to keep the string round.
To keep the bowstring in good condition, it should be rubbed regularly with bees-wax.
A nocking point should be fitted to the bowstring at the correct location to suit the location of any fitted arrow rest.
I recommend using the clamp-on metal type nocking points, as they are quick to fit, quick to re-set if they slip and can be re-used when the bowstring wears out.
Nocking pliers, specially made for the purpose are available from archery shops.

Bow-Sight

To allow the student to shoot the Target Archery style, where the string hand is placed under the jaw, a bow-sight is required. The bow-sight can be as simple as using a 'headed pin' stuck into a strip of 12mm wide mounting tape. The tape is fixed to the front of the bow (100mm long strip should be enough.) The pin is stuck into the foam of the mounting tape.
The student then aims the head of the pin in the centre of the target.
To move the pin to the correct position, use the 'follow the arrow' method. (If the arrow hits the target above centre - move the pin up, if the arrow hits below centre - move the pin down, if the arrow hits to the left of centre - move the pin left and if the arrow hits to the right of centre - move the pin right.)
If the pin is not long enough for left or right adjustment, then the student will have to aim off the centre of the target.

Arrows

Wooden arrows are ok for schools, so long as they are carefully maintained.
As they are wood, they should be carefully checked prior to each lesson for any cracks or splinters. Any arrow found to have a crack or splinter must not be used. (An arrow that is cracked or splintered can injure the student on release or on withdrawing from the target.)
Any arrow that is bent will not shoot straight and should not be used.
Also check for loose points, loose fletches and loose nocks. These can be repaired with suitable glue. ( Use 'Fletch-Tite' glue for nocks and fletches. For the points, a much stronger glue is required, such as an epoxy resin.)
If a nock is found to be cracked, it must be replaced immediately.
( A cracked nock can split apart when the arrow is released and the bowstring will fly forward without the arrow.)
I recommend that the 'Nirk' hunting nocks be replaced with 'Bjorn' nocks, as these nocks should clip onto the bowstring and hold the arrow there without the student having to.
This allows the student to spread the fingers away from the nock of the arrow and thus achieve a better release without 'pinching' the arrow nock.
( If a student 'pinches' the arrow nock, this will usually cause the arrow to lift off the arrow rest and if it happens just at the release, the arrow can be shot wide of the target.)

Arm Guards and Finger Tabs

Arm Guards should be a suitable size for each student with elastic straps to hold the guard firmly in place.
Finger Tabs should also be a suitable size for each student. The finger tab needs to cover the tips of the fingers and be thick enough to protect the fingers.
Finger tabs can be cut out from a suitable thickness leather.

Target Butts

Target Butts can be made from a variety of materials.
'Stramit' ceiling panels are available in a size to suit the largest target face ( 122cm diameter ). These panels are approx. 1200 square and 50mm thick, paper faced compressed straw. They are very solid and heavy and will need to be supported on a timber frame.
Their main advantage is mobility. Their disadvantage is they can be too solid for the arrows to lodge into and are heavy to carry.
One alternative is to use straw bales inside a hessian sack. The hessian sack stops loose straw falling out and provides a material to pin target faces to.
We are investigating more suitable target butts that could be used by schools.
These are very light, mobile and can be taken apart for storage.
(Cost of these targets and availability will be advised at a later date.)

Archery Range Set-Up

The basic guidelines for an Archery Range are:-

The direction of shooting should be from North to South, if possible, to keep the sun at the students back.
(The opposite applies for the Northern Hemisphere.)
The target butts should be placed at 5 metre ( 16 feet ) centres.
There should be one common 'Shooting Line' for all targets.
( If different distances are to be shot, then move the target butts.)
Allow a maximum of 6 students per target. ( 4 is standard. )
Allow at least 10 metres ( 11 yards ) to either side of the outer-most target butts for safety in case of misses or arrows that may deflect off the sides of the target butts.
Allow at least 50 metres ( 55 yards ) behind the target butts as a safety zone for misses or arrows that may deflect off the top of the target butts.
( When using the stronger draw weight bows ( + 9 kg.), allow 75 metres ( 82 yards ) for safety. The more clear space available, the better.)

If a safety zone behind the target butts is not long enough, then special 'Safety Backstop Netting' may be used to stop the arrows.
( This netting is made from woven nylon and is hung loosely from a horizontal wire stretched between support poles. The netting will absorb the arrow impact through its weight and 'give'.)
Archery may be shot indoors by using the safety backstop netting.

(The above safety zone distances only apply for fibreglass bows with a maximum draw weight of 9 kg. ( 20 lbs. ). If using stronger bows, then longer safety zones are required.)

Archery Range Safety Rules

Archery is one of the safest sports you can do.
The bow and arrow is a weapon and therefore there are some safety rules that must be observed at all times:-

A bow must not be loaded with an arrow unless standing on the 'Shooting Line' and the signal to start shooting has been given.
( The usual signal to start shooting is 1 blast of a whistle.)
A loaded bow must only be pointed at the assigned target.
( Even a light draw weight bow can shoot an arrow a considerable distance if aimed at a high angle.)
When each student has finished shooting their arrows, they should stand back from the shooting line so the instructor or teacher can clearly see that they have finished.
Only when everyone has finished shooting should the signal to move forward to collect the arrows be given.
( The usual signal to move forward is 2 blasts of a whistle.)
If an arrow or part of equipment is dropped in front of the shooting line while shooting is in progress, it can only be picked up after shooting has stopped.
Walk forward to collect the arrows, never run.
( Keep a eye on the ground for any arrows that may have dropped short of the target and lodged in the ground. Always withdraw the arrows in the opposite direction that they entered, so as not to bend or break the arrow.)
Always walk up to the side of the target butt, so as to not to accidentally walk into the rear of the arrows lodged in the target.
One person at a time should withdraw their arrows from the target.
When withdrawing arrows from the target, make sure no-one is standing in front of the target or in the way of the withdrawn arrows. Withdrawing the arrows may require some force and the arrows may come out suddenly from the target butt and the rear end of the arrow could hit someone standing in front of the target.
Everyone shooting should help to find any arrows that may have missed the target.
When carrying arrows, always hold them to the side and never run.
Everyone must return to the shooting line and the range checked to make sure no-one is behind the target butts or in the safety zone before the signal to commence shooting is given.
If any person or animal ( eg. dog ) enters the safety zone while shooting is in progress, the emergency signal must be given ( 3 or more blasts of a whistle ) and all shooting must stop IMMEDIATELY.
Even if the bow is held at full draw and the signal is given, the arrow must not be released. The bow should be pointed at the ground and the bowstring let slowly forward. The arrow should be removed from the bow until the range is clear.
( Many people are unaware of the danger from a shot arrow and may walk behind the target butts.)
Any student or person failing to abide by the safety rules, endangering themselves or others, should be required to leave the archery range.

The instructor or teacher must keep a close watch not only on the students, but also on the archery range to ensure it remains clear of people.
( In archery competitions, it is usual for one person to have the job of range safety. This person has the title of 'Field Captain' and controls the shooting on the range. They enforce the safety rules and can order an archer to comply with the safety rules or leave the archery range.)

'Health and Safety HS-10-64'

Department of Education Manual - July 1997 Edition

Comments:
Item 4.1(b) Clout Shooting - Strongly recommend that Clout Shooting not be done by Schools due to high risk involving long distance shooting.
Item 5.1(a) The teacher should have a minimum Level 0 Archery Orientation qualification to instruct archery.
Item 6.15 Clear distance behind targets should be 50 metres at least.
Targets spaced at minmum 5 metre centres.
Item 7.8 (a) Commence shooting = 1 whistle blast.
Item 7.8 (b) Cease shooting = 3 or more whistle blasts.
Item 7.8 (c) Retreive arrows = 2 whistle blasts.
Item 8.2 To attract attention of the leader, hold the bow horizontally above the head.

'Oz-Bow' Development Program

Archery Australia has a program to develop Archery in schools.
Currently known as AJAD ( Australian Junior Archery Development ).
(For details, see Archery Australia Web Site.)

Back to Top

This page last revised: 22 June 2008