Bows and arrows have been associated with hunting ever since mankind came into existence. However, with time, the motive or purpose of shooting arrows using bows has evolved, i.e., archery is now recognised as a sports-based activity.
Besides being a renowned sports form and activity, archery has also become popular in the virtual world in the form of online games. There are tons of iOS and archery Android game readily available for individuals who love the sport.
Indulging in archery benefits individuals in numerous ways. However, the most prominent one is that it instils numerous traits and helps them develop different skills. This article will cover some important skills and traits that archery helps players develop. Let us begin:
- Focus
One of the most important skills that indulging in archery helps individuals develop is focus. Every step involved in the process of shooting an arrow using a bow, right from placing the arrow to drawing the string and releasing it, required extreme focus and concentration. In fact, how well an archer shoots an arrow reflects their level of focus.
Archery is not only about shooting targets. It is also about learning and improving at performing specific tasks and actions. The more arrows an individual shoots, the better their chances of concentrating on every action involved in the process. Hence, indulging in archery significantly helps individuals develop laser-like focus and clarity.
- Aim
Aiming properly is one of the, if not the main, aspects of archery. The target-shooting sport requires players to hit targets using bows and arrows. Thus, individuals need to place the arrow properly and aim it at the target to ensure hitting the precise spot properly. Even though theoretically, it sounds simple, it is not.
One of the best ways in which any individual can improve their aim is by practising archery whenever possible. Since archery is majorly based on aiming at targets, individuals can significantly better their aiming skills by indulging in archery.
- Balance & Coordination
There are numerous real-life scenarios where individuals must maintain balance and coordination. Archery is one of the few sports forms which helps individuals in improving their balance and better their coordination. For example, drawing an arrow to shoot requires the coordination of the individual’s entire body from the ground up.
Their arms, along with their legs, must work together harmoniously. Besides this, their shoulders, head, and neck must be appropriately aligned to ensure that the shot gets implemented perfectly. Even though combining so many tasks can be hard to manage, indulging in archery can make this seem seamless. Hence, individuals who wish to improve their balance and coordination should consider practising archery.
- Discipline
Discipline is a learned skill, not an innate characteristic, which can be developed by indulging in archery. A common myth is that discipline does not play a crucial role in archery. In actuality, it is the opposite. Shooting arrows using a bow is not an easy task. Most individuals are unable to hit targets properly. This is where discipline comes in.
Discipline is what makes individuals carry on even after failing continuously. In terms of archery, practising continuously helps individuals get better at the game. Archery requires continuous efforts, which forces individuals to practice more. To conclude, shooting arrows using bows is a great way for individuals to instil discipline in their lives.
- Patience
Archery helps individuals develop patience, a skill that can be learned and improved with time. It is one of the few skills that come in handy in both archery as well as real-life situations.
Even though archery is easy to learn, it is difficult to master. Moreover, it can be frustrating at times, i.e., when individuals are unable to hit targets properly. However, having the determination to repeat and improve unsuccessful techniques helps individuals become better at archery in addition to enhancing their patience.
- Self-Confidence
Like players of all other sports forms, there are individuals who love to participate in official archery matches and tournaments. In competitive matches, an archer’s biggest opponent or rival is themselves, mainly because they need to maintain confidence to ensure they take shots properly.
Since progression breeds, confidence, archery matches, and tournaments offer players or archers the perfect opportunity to enhance their confidence. To conclude, practising archery and testing it all out during official matches and tournaments help players develop self-confidence and belief.
- Physical Strength
Physical strength is a trained skill that archery helps individuals in developing. Getting the body prepared to cooperate and move into the right position is one thing. However, having the strength and physical resilience to stay steady while taking a shot is a completely different thing. Even though archery is not very physically challenging, it helps individuals develop physical strength.
From the outside, it may seem that archery is all about arms, but in actuality, it is the larger muscles situated at the back which perform the majority of the tasks. Thus, indulging in archery can help individuals develop physical strength.
- Social Skill
Archery can either be played individually or as a team sport. In official archery tournaments, archers are generally grouped with other archers. This allows them to get to know their group members while they walk the course with each other. Hence, it is safe to say that archery facilitates individuals to develop their social skills.
Besides being a top-tier sport, archery is also a popular outdoor activity that many people love indulging in. Its popularity as an activity is mainly due to the benefits it offers.
