Preparing for a return to shooting

While we are waiting for the 29th, there are a few things that you could usefully be doing to get ready for your return to shooting:

ON YOUR BOW:
– Make sure the string is in good condition and ideally freshly coated with beeswax
– Look at the end loops and serving and ensure that there are no loose ends
– Check that the riser and limbs are all in good condition with no cracks or splinters
– Make sure that your pressure button moves nice and smoothly
– Check that your sight mount on the bow is nice and secure
– Check that the sight has all adjustment screws in place and everything moves OK

ON YOUR ARROWS:
– If you are a junior archer and growing fast, check the arrow length
– Check the fletchings – are they all glued securely?
– Check nocks are not broken or cracked and glued securely?
– Make sure that points and inserts are fixed in firmly
– If you have arrows made with carbon, check for cracks and splits, especially at the front end

ON YOUR OTHER EQUIPMENT:
–  Check that your tab and arm guard are all OK and elastic is all in good condition
–  Look over your quiver, give it a clean and make sure you have a working pen in the pocket

ON YOURSELF:
For most of us, we will have had a period of at least 14 weeks without shooting, and the muscles and joints that we use to shoot will have lost their form, so try some gentle exercise and movement to get them ready for those first arrows.There are some very useful suggestions for exercises form the club’s coaches on the website home page, and more, including videos on the AGB website.

Check out their guidance on warm-up exercise and practice them

Overall, remember that although archery does not seem to be overly physical, it puts strain on muscles and joints, and the last thing that you want to do is to injure yourself in the first week back and then be unable to shoot.

The club coaches will be reserving lanes in some sessions so that they can be available to offer you some help and advice on how to ease yourself back in and remembering the basics of good form and safety.

For some, it might be advisable to start with a very light bow for the first few sessions, rather than going straight back to full poundage, and the club will be making beginners bows available for short term use by members who want to.

In order for the coaching team to provide the right kind of help for you, please take a moment to complete our quick 3-question survey:

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