Archery Basics Badge

REMINDERS:
• Follow Safety-Wise and Sybaquay Council guidelines at all times
• Archery may only be taught by an adult currently certified as an instructor by the National Archery Association or who has equivalent certification in archery. See Sybaquay Council’s online training calendar for information on trainings offered through Sybaquay Council.

Complete requirements number 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9 plus one other requirement of your choice.

1. Learn about and display understanding of the basic archery range rules.
• Obey all range commands
• Keep your arrows in your quiver until you are told to shoot
• Only use arrows the instructor gives you
• Always keep your arrows pointed down or towards the target
• Only shoot at your target
• If you drop an arrow, leave it on the ground until you are told to get your arrows
• Always walk at the archery range

2. Know and display understanding of the archery range whistle commands.
• Two blasts: Archers to the shooting line
• One blast: Begin shooting
• Three blasts: Walk forward and get your arrows
• Four or more blasts: STOP SHOOTING IMMEDIATELY and put your arrows in your quiver

3. Learn and display the nine steps to the “10-Ring.”
• Stance: Stand straight and tall with one foot on either side of shooting line
• Nock: Place the arrow on the arrow rest keeping the index fletching pointing away from the bow.
Snap the nock of arrow onto the bow string under the nock locator.
• Set: Set the bow hand on the grip keeping it relaxed throughout the entire shot. With drawing hand,
create a hook by setting the first groove of your first three fingers around the bowstring.
• Pre-draw: Raise your bow arm towards the target keeping your shoulder down. Look at the target
and line up the bow string with the center of the bow. Rotate your bow arm elbow under. The elbow of
your drawing arm should be near the level of your nose.
• Draw: Draw the bow string back by rotating your draw arm shoulder around until your elbow is
directly behind the arrow. Continue looking at the target while you maintain a continuous drawing
motion.
• Anchor: Draw the string to the front on your chin, placing the knuckle of your index finger on the
corner of your smile. Continue to draw smoothly without stopping.
• Aim: Focus your eyes on the center of the target. Be sure to keep the string lined up with the center
of your bow by holding it straight.
• Release: Release the fingers hook and continue extending the bow arm. Continue focusing on the
target.
• Follow-through: After release continue drawing bow arm back until arrow hits target. Remember to
pose for your picture!

4. Perform the eye dominance test.
To find the dominant eye, extend arms out in front of yourself while focusing on an object. Make a triangle
with both index and thumb from both hands and frame your object. Bring your frame back to your face
keeping the object inside the frame until one eye is chosen. This will determine if you should shoot left or
right depending on your dominate eye. (Left-eye dominate shoots left handed—holds bow with left hand.)
Some right-handed archers are left-eye dominate. You should try shooting based on your eye dominance.

5. Show understanding of proper body alignment.
The archer can shoot stronger if body is in a natural T-position while aiming and shooting. Demonstrate the T-position.

6. Learn the difference between compound and recurve bows.
Compound and recurve bows look different, but they do have many parts in common.

7. Learn the basic parts of the bows.
• Face
• Back
• Arrow rest
• Nock locator on string
• Pivot point on handle
• Tip

8. Learn the basic parts of the arrow.
• Arrow point
• Shaft
• Fletching
• Index fletching
• Nock
• Cresting

9. Demonstrate archery skill during target shooting.
• Target shoot at least 20 arrows or until you are hitting the target regularly.

10. Learn a new archery game and play it.
• Try covering your target with a Tic-Tac-Toe, BINGO or Connect the Dots paper enlargement
• Try putting balloons on your target
• Try shooting at certain colors
Have fun, but always remember to follow the archery range rules!

This badge was developed by Doubletree Service Unit’s Archery
Instructor Mary Tull.

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