the recurve bow, arrows and target boards

Yesterday I went to Lapangan Panahan Senayan with my mother. We met my sister and her husband there, as well as Camui and her friends. Camui asked me to join her on this archery since two weeks ago (for the booking) and I had been wanting to do this since I saw her Instagram post about this. And yesterday was the day that I finally tried it!

the bracers on left arms

At first we all had to geared up. It means wearing the bracer (arm guard / protector) on the inside of left arm to keep it from being hit by the string, and a right-hand finger tab to be used for the three fingers in the middle for pulling the string. We were introduced to the bows (we used the modern / takedown recurve one, the brand of mine was Sirius)

preparing the arrow to the bow

Next, the coach told us the dos and don'ts in the archery field: nobody is going around at the field during arching time (the arrows could go someplace we could not control and it would be dangerous to wander about), and there will be time for us to take the arrows. We were given 4-5 arrows each, and one target board for three people. Then he told us how to pull out the arrow from the target board (don't pull it from the end because it could bent, pull it straight at the tip.)

the right body position to do archery

Then how to do it:

1. Stand up facing right (unless you're left-handed) and the target board is at your left.
2. Stretch your both hands wide, then bend the right one, place your thumb on your right cheek.
3. Face left, and aim the target. This is the right body position to do archery.

After getting used with the body position, you can now prepare your bow and arrow. It's pretty easy, as long as you can aim. This is how:

1. Place the stick of the arrow on the left side of the bow. There is a hook you can place it on, and put the end of the arrow on the bow string.
2. Hold the bow with your left hand, hand on the grip just below the arrow hook.
3. Place three of your right fingers hooked slightly, just below the arrow end on the bow string.
4. Lift the bow up above your forehead; right hand hold loose of the string; left hand stretched straight on your left body. Make sure the inside of your arm is turned right, to so your hand was straight without any part bulging out. This is important to keep your arm getting hit by the string.
5. While pulling the string way back (until your right thumb touches your right cheek), aim the target with your right eye. Make sure the view is clear and nobody was around the target field. The step 4-5 should take just about 3 seconds.
6. Then, release the fingers hook and watch as your arrow fly fast to the target board.

aim with your right eye, because it's closer to the bow

Some benefits of mastering archery:

1. Learn the techniques
2. Know the function of the bow and arrow and the art of archery
3. Practice to focus
4. Practice your accuracy
5. Practice the eyes and arms synchronization
6. Practice to be calm and release some tension
7. Enhance your bravery
8. Remove the hesitation
9. Increase your self-confidence
10. Somehow just be cooler than your other friends (;

the arrows with yellow ends were mine. they hit blue & red but yellow area, too!

I guess this is a pretty easy sport anyone could do, because I could hit mostly the yellow area already on my first 2 hours of practice for 10m distance target. We had fun, although we prefer to do it next time in smaller group, because with almost 30 people we practiced with yesterday it was quite packed and we got fewer shots. I'd do it again soon, probably next month. If you wanna join me, leave me a comment!


If you are interested on trying, contact:

Jakarta Archery Club 
Lapangan Panahan Senayan 
(message me for getting the coach's phone number)
The price is IDR 100,000 per 2 hours of practice.