Improving in any skill inevitably requires grinding. The term refers to the expense of many hours to rigorous and often repetitive exercises, all for the sake of practice. With that said, let us face it: too much can get boring and turn people off from whatever they are trying to master.
When the grind grows monotonous, one should break up practice with more stimulating activities. They help let out some steam and remind the student why they wanted to do this in the first place. Archers can practice their skills and have fun along the way with bow and arrow games, like the ones we discuss here.
Balloon Bash
Aiming at bullseyes is great practice, of course. However, aspiring toward the same specific point every time can get tedious. Working on multiple targets in the same session is arguably closer to real-life archery situations outside of competition. If the targets also make fun noises and other effects, you have a good pastime on your hands.
Balloon bashing is a staple among bow and arrow games. People of all ages and expertise levels can enjoy launching pointy projectiles at colorful balloons, whether tied to a board or hovering in the air. That raucous pop is the sweet sound of victory. Filling them with water can also make for great fun. Paint is even better, as long as you do not mind the surrounding area getting stained.
Arrow Splitting
When a movie or other work of fiction wants to show that an archer character is tremendously skilled, one trope almost always appears. Instead of aiming their arrow at a target, they aim at another arrow already embedded on a target. The dramatic visual of one projectile splitting another right down the middle has dazzled and inspired many an archery enthusiast.
Before one can do anything like that, they may want to start with something easier, yet still sufficiently challenging. When one plays at “arrow splitting,” they can substitute an empty cardboard towel paper roll as the target. Line up your sights with the tiny hole, then try to halve it. The game may not seem different from typical target shooting, but you will understand when you pull it off and see the result.
Candle Snuffing
Knowing how to fire an arrow over any distance is already enough to impress most people. If you want, you can try one time-honored method of adding flash to your party trick: use fire. Candle snuffing is a challenge in which archers put out a candle’s flame from a distance, using only the aerial forces of a whizzing arrow. It is as exciting as it sounds.
It is also as potentially dangerous as it sounds. The goal is not necessarily to knock over the stick, but it is likely to occur. We advise placing it on a non-flammable surface. Moreover, there should not be a typical archery target behind it, but something that cannot catch and spread fire. Even with these precautions, keep an extinguisher nearby just in case.
Archery Golf
Archery golf closely resembles regular golf. Players gradually make their way down a fairway and aim for a specific point, all with the fewest putts possible. Instead of wielding clubs, though, they bring their bows. Instead of whacking balls across the green, they fire arrows and follow where they land.
Lastly, the hole where the ball must go is replaced with the ball itself. It is usually 5 inches in diameter, and it is always suspended above the ground. As players approach, they must “sink the hole” by knocking it off its perch with an arrow.
Archery golf can be practiced at home, but some dedicated courses offer a full 18 holes over an expansive area. If this bow and arrow game sounds like a fun way to pass an afternoon, look for a dedicated course in your area.
Combat Archery
Shooting at paper rings and inanimate objects can be great practice and great fun. With that said, firing at moving targets would not only shake things up, but hone skills required for hunting and competition. That is the justification you can use for taking students to a combat archery field, where their targets are each other.
Pointy arrowheads are not part of play. The projectiles have big foam ends instead, which may still pack a little punch but are not dangerous at all. This change in gear allows players to fire real arrows from real bows at each other’s bodies without risk of harm. It is safe. It is great practice. Above all else, it is a great time — the archery equivalent of paintball. Your students will never forget it.
HORSE
HORSE is the rare universal game. No matter which sport you play, the rules are the same. One player must take a specific action, whether it is sinking a trick shot in basketball or executing a tough maneuver in skateboarding. The rest must try to match the move. Any failure gets them branded with one letter, eventually spelling the word “HORSE” and the game’s end.
Archery HORSE is like any other HORSE. Players may compete to nail targets from challenging angles or long distances. It may not be beginner-friendly, but skilled archers can have a blast matching and outmatching each other. Even sitting back and watching can be an enjoyable and educational experience.
Moreover, the competitions only get better as the players improve over time. Like all good bow and arrow games, HORSE encourages players to work on their skills and enjoy themselves at the same time.
Top-Notch Tools for Bow and Arrow Games
Bow and arrow games come in a variety of playstyles. What they all share is mixing practice with recreation, breaking away from routine without losing its benefits. What they also share in common is requiring a bow and arrows to play.
Stokerized Stabilizers can supply high-quality products of both types, along with a variety of other instruments and accessories. No matter how you prefer to get your practice in, we can help you get exactly the tools you need.