Archery these days  is a  high standard competition sport including the Olympics,  but it owes it’s root’s in the necessity to form an army to protect a Kingdom.

In English culture the Long Bow and  Archery were not just in legends of Robin Hood, or in Poems like  The White Company  by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Indeed Henry III even made it compulsory with the Act of Assizes of Arms of 1252 that all men would be Armed with one of the weapons of the day , but for most they would have to also have a Long Bow they would have to train on this weapon constantly.

You may not believe this but it is true, this law is still in place as it was never repealed.

All English males over the age of 14 are to carry out two hours of longbow practice every week, supervised by the local clergy. This law dates from the middle ages when there was no army and is still in place today.

Yew  trees were commonly planted in English churchyards to make sure that there would always  have readily available longbow wood

This did actually become a bit of a double edged sword as it were, because although this made it easier for the King to raise an army,  it also meant that the bow became the  weapon that was commonly used by rebels during the Peasants Revolt.

The Yeoman class of England became extremely proficient with the longbow, As for  the nobility in England, from then on they had to be careful not to push them into open rebellion .

Anyone who has tried to shoot an Arrow from a Bow, will know it is not an easy thing to do. Good eyesight is necessary

As for the Aim, It is all about Technique , Assuming the Correct Stance , Fluidity  of Motion, Stability and Tension Strength  after all they are pulling on that Bow String to Draw Tension, the equivalent in tension of  20-30 Kilos.

Most choose  what is called a “Neutral Stance “ this term indicates that the leg furthest from the shooting line is a half to a whole foot-length from the other foot, on the ground. As Archers become more proficient they find their own position  some use a Closed Stance others like  ( Keith use an open Stance.)

With the body nearly perpendicular to the target and the shooting line, with the feet placed shoulder-width apart, the archer then raises the bow and draws the string, they will  vary the alignments for vertical versus  slightly canted bow positions. We may not see all that is going on when we watch them, as this is often one fluid motion

Competition bows such as (The Recurve Bow that Keith uses) are released almost immediately upon reaching full draw at maximum weight, whereas compound bows reach their maximum weight around the last inch and a half, dropping holding weight significantly at full draw. Compound bows are often held at full draw for a long time to achieve maximum accuracy.

To release  the arrow, the Archer will relax the fingers of the drawing hand,as does Keith ( some that use a competition bow, have a triggering mechanical release aid) at the same time still keeping the drawing arm ridged, and the Bow Hand relaxed, the arrow is moved back into position by using the Back Muscles as opposed to using arm motions  (This will become very evident when you watch the video of Keith).

They also, as with any shooting activity be aware of Recoil action, follow through of the body if this is not checked it may indicate problems with their form technique and could possibly affect their accuracy and efficiency .