Archery for Everyone Presenters Randi Smith Jeff Fabry Lia Coryell ] First the basics Why archery? 1 It s easy to adapt 2- Almost anyone can do it 3 Works with mixed groups (old, young, boys, girls, etc) 4 Once initial equipment is obtained, it s inexpensive 5 Beginners and advanced can shoot together
Definitions 1 Types of bows 2 - Types of Releases 3 - Basic Terms Recurve bows Recurve bows Pros: Physically lighter One bow can fit many Looks like a bow Beginner bow is less expensive Gets heavier as it s pulled back Cons: Longer Doesn t look like dad s Harder to get good Compound bows
Compound bows Pros: Shorter - may not interfere with wheelchair Let-off - not holding full weight at full draw Some of the newer ones are very adjustable and fairly inexpensive Cons: Physically heavier Has to fit the individual Universal Draw bows (Genesis) Universal Draw bows Looks like a compound bow but there is no let-off. Pros: One bow can fit many Easy to shoot Fingers or release Cons: Physically heavy Not a lot of power for longer distances Finger release
Finger release Fingers hold the string, pull it back, let it go Easy to teach a basic release Inexpensive - glove or tab Mouth tab release Mouth tab release Works for archers who can only use one arm Be sure to start with light weight bows Use the back teeth Arrow below the nocking point Mechanical release
Mechanical release Mechanical release Mechanical release Mechanical release
More definitions String hand (or draw hand or release hand) Bow hand Anchor Talk to the new archer - why do they want to shoot - target, hunting, family activity Ask questions - have they seen other people shoot, have they shot before, do they have any ideas Find out about the disability - but find out about their abilities too Getting Started Don t worry about rules at this point just use what works! Things to have with you Elastic bandages Long armguards Quad gloves (or adapted gloves) Mechanical releases with triggers Rope or cord for mouth tabs Lightweight bows (physically light and light pull) Be Sure to Start Close!
Stance Start with stance how is the archer going to be most stable? Standing Standing with support Sitting on a chair or stool Sitting in a wheelchair Make sure both feet are on a firm surface Make sure all the wheels on a wheelchair are on a firm surface and the brakes are on Using Chairs Folding chairs work fine for beginners More advanced shooters design their own With Two Hands Determine which hand will hold the bow and which one will pull the string You may have to try both ways Remember the string can be released using a mechanical release The bow and the release can be secured to the hands Eye dominance can be considered if both hands are equally functional Using two hands
Using two hands.. but letting someone else load the arrows With One Hand If only one hand or arm, determine how the bow will be held Hold the bow in the hand, use a mouth tab to release Hold the bow in the hand, use an adapted mechanical release to release the string Use a prosthetic to hold the bow, and release with the hand or a mechanical release Using One Hand with a mouth tab Mouth Tabs
Mechanical Release - released with the mouth Mechanical Release - released with the jaw Wheelchairs If using a wheelchair Make sure the feet have support; either on the ground or with footrests Make sure the string doesn t hit the wheel Use straps if necessary to maintain balance Make sure armrests and other parts are out of the way Make the wheelchair straddle the line one big wheel and one small wheel on each side of the line. It may help to angle the front of the wheelchair a bit towards the target Wheelchairs Big track chairs are usually not legal - they take up too much room on the line and they have been known to run over arrows When possible, make sure the wheelchair fits the person. Make sure the brakes are on!
In a wheelchair - Issues with both hands Some archers have disabilities in both hands, but they need assistive devices to hold the bow or release If they are strapped or taped into the assistive device, they made need someone to assist with loading the arrows Quad Glove Quad Glove
Release Glove Release Glove Visually impaired archers Two categories - one uses blindfolds; the other does not For archers who don t use blindfolds, the only adaptation is usually the distance For archers who use blindfolds, the adaptations have to do with aiming and consistency Visually impaired archers https:// youtu.be/ ljcyok_q5k E
Visually impaired archers https:// youtu.be/ ljcyok_q5k E Visually impaired archers https://youtu.be/ ljcyok_q5ke THE COMPETITIVE ARCHER If an archer wants to be competitive, rules are much more important Shooting rules are World Archery rules Differences are in equipment, classifications, and procedures Basically, the wheelchair, strapping, and adaptive aids must meet certain requirements Competition formats indoor and outdoor Indoor competitions are usually at 18 M or 20 YD (about 6 inches different) Vegas format - single or 3 spot WA format Outdoor competitions are at different distances depending on category and age Can be adjusted based on skill
Indoor competitions - good way to start Agents are okay Vegas round - 30 arrows at 3 spot or single spot Compounds and recurves shoot at the same target Para archers are not separate WA/USAA round - 60 arrows at 3 spot or single spot Most competitions have para divisions JOAD - shoot in their age group Para archers are not separated; can use whatever adaptations are necessary indoor official/big target/little target Outdoor WA/USAA/WASUSA Outdoor Making it work for everyone Other events to encourage participation Offer developmental, recreational, and competitive divisions at all competitions 1 - Different distances for different groups 2 - Different target sizes for different groups 3- Less arrows for different groups 4 - Separate W2 and ST; add your own categories We encourage you to use whistles, timing, and scoring rules from WA - it makes it easier when athletes want to become more competitive
Other events to encourage participation Competitive recurve and compound shoot 72 arrows (official round); 36 before lunch; 36 after lunch Group 1 shoots 36 arrows before lunch at closer target Group 2 shoots 36 arrows after lunch at closer target Timing, scoring, and whistles are the same for all groups; all archers are successful Experience says: have criteria for advanced group; some people think they are more advanced, and you spend a lot of time looking for arrows Classification National and international Adaptive Sports USA does offer classification when they do archery events. However, up to this point, it has not been an official classification. It will not work at USA Archery or World Archery events. Official WA or USAA Classification National - done by one USA classifier; good for USA events International - done by two international classifiers; good for USA and international events Classification Process National and international Starts out the same for National & International 1- Notify Head Coach of interest; she sends medical forms 2 - Return medical forms to Head Coach; she sends to classifier for review 3 - He checks medical form and determines eligibility 4 - If not eligible (NE) athlete is notified (currently working on process to approve chairs or stools without actual classification) National Classification Only needs one classifier After eligibility is determined, athlete can make an appointment to meet with a classifier Has been done at multi-sport events such as Endeavor Games and Texas Regional Games Athletes can shoot in para categories at National USAA events
International Classification Needs two classifiers USA Archery tries to offer international classification at a Para Archery event at least once a year Medical forms are due at least 30 days ahead of time Athletes can shoot in para categories at National USAA events and International WA events and set records at both 3 Classification categories W1 - athletes with disabilities in both upper and lower body; use a wheelchair W2 - athletes with disabilities in lower body; use a wheelchair ST - athletes who stand or use a chair or stool to shoot
3 International shooting categories W1 - athletes who are classified as W1; special equipment rules Open Recurve - Combined W2 and ST archers who use recurve bows; WA rules Open Compound - Combined W2 and ST archers who use compound bows; WA rules Visually Impaired
For more information www.usparalympics.org www.ipcarchery.org www.usarchery.org www.americandisabledarchers.com Randi Smith - hotshot@xmission.com