Are you planning for a family bonding session but have no idea which game will suit your folks most? Archery tag is one of the best and unique bonding games for your family.
The game is ideal for both novice and archery tag pros. It is an adrenaline-pumping and high-energy game suitable for simple gatherings and birthday parties.
But for those individuals looking to improve their archery tag skills, you have come to the right place. We have built an ultimate guide to archery tag for you.
This guide provides a comprehensive meaning, benefits, and everything else you need to know about archery tags. Take the time to read through it and plan for your next archery tag event.
What Is Archery Tag?
An archery tag is a recreational activity where individuals have to learn the shooting bows with arrows skill. It is also an indoor and outdoor recreational sport for a team.
Keep in mind that the bows and arrows are not real. The players usually hit each other with foam-tipped arrows without causing injuries. The aim is to help players improve their archery skills and remain safe.
The most exciting thing is that archery tag is a sport that can be enjoyed by all people regardless of their age. It is the best game for family bonding and corporate team-building sessions.
Besides that, this recreational activity comes with a lot of physical and health benefits to the players. It is not all about competition, bonding, and team-building sessions.
Learning archery tag sport can be both an exciting and a daunting experience. But regular practice will help you improve your archery tag skills.
But where did archery tag sport originated? Well, keep reading this article and get to know the origin of the archery tag sport. Let’s dive into the next sub-topic.
What Is The History And Origin Of Archery Tag?
John Jackson is the founder of archery tag. The sport game inspiration came to him while designing archery products for a manufacturer.
John came up with the idea of creating foam-tipped arrows to enable people to shoot one another for fun purposes. It was indeed the beginning of the prototype construction of the game.
Archery tag sport was introduced into the world in 2011 after several alterations and designs of the arrows. In 2012, the archery tag was released in the Hunger Games Movie Franchise.
The sport has become a global phenomenon today. It has been licensed in over 170 locations in the United States of America and thousands of people every month get introduced to it.
The acceptance of the Archery tag by many countries has resulted in the formation and development of Archery tag tournaments. A lot of players usually compete in this game to win cash prizes.
Today, archery tag is being practiced as a recreational and competitive sport. Combat archery is one of the variations associated with the sport.
Keep in mind that archery tag has evolved over the years and the advancement in technology has an incredible impact on evolution.
What Are The Benefits Of Playing Archery Tag?
Archery tag is a therapeutic sport due to its calm and focused nature. But some archery variations are more active though offer the same benefits.
Below are the possible benefits derived from play archery tag sport:
1. Exercise
Archery tags come in different variations. Combat archery is more active and ideal as a workout activity. The game leaves an individual sweaty and satisfied in the long run. It is the perfect option for keeping fit and healthy.
2. Improve Upper-Body Strength
Archery tag involves a lot of motions for drawing arrows and firing the bow. The repetitive and constant activity activates the core muscles of the upper body. The muscle motions help to improve the strength around the upper body region.
3. Improves Agility of an Individual
Archery sports are more of reflexes and quick motions. These quick movements make an individual improve agility and strength.
4. Teaches an Individual to Stay Calm
An individual’s body needs to remain calm while shooting an arrow. You can miss the shot while holding the arrow with stiff fingers. The sport helps an individual to cool the mind and control the body under pressure.
5. Teaches an Individual to Exercise Patience
Archery tag is not an easy game to learn. An individual needs to undertake regular practice to hone the skills of shooting. Exercising patience is crucial when it comes to accuracy and precision in the sport.
6. Help An Individual Focus
Holding the arrow and bow requires an individual to shut the world. It helps to distract the thoughts and focus on the main goal. Mental distraction from the world makes the game ideal for meditation.
7. Improve Hand-Eye Coordination
Coordination of the eye and hand is critical during archery tag. Improper coordination of these two body parts could result in missing the target. The game forces an individual to improve coordination between the hands and eyes.
8. Boost Analytical Skills
Archery entails a lot of activities. Every player needs to prioritize certain skills and tactics to survive or take advantage of the onslaught.
9. Improves Teamwork and Communication
Archery tag is a fun group game. The sport requires every player to be attentive for better results in the long run. Each player has unique traits to bring out the best result. Communication is crucial to help players adapt to all situations.
10. Boost Confidence
Archery helps to boost self-esteem and confidence. It is attained by shooting the target and improving your archery tag skills. The wins and encouragement from the coaches help to boost an individual’s confidence.
11. Stress-Relief
Archery involves constant and quick motions. Besides that, the excitement of drawing arrows and shooting at others helps to relieve stress. The sport is indeed an excellent channel for relieving body or mental stress.
12. Easy to Learn
Archery tag is an easy game to learn for outgoing individuals. Many institutions offer archery tag training and resources for novice players. The game training helps individuals identify their hidden talents.
How Does Archery Tag Work?
Archery tag is a sport with rules for guidance. These basic rules make the game more exciting and fun among the players. Archery tag is also known as archery battle and archery attack.
Archery tag game comprises two teams with 4-9 players. The minimum number of players is eight and the maximum number of players is eighteen.
These players are placed in different pitches separated by safety areas. It is a region where players are not allowed to fire arrows.
Every team is supposed to hit five targets. Besides that, they have barriers that provide covers, bows, arrows, arm guards, and safety masks.
The game runs and design of the pitch make the sport enjoyable. An instructor usually acts as the referee and helps to uphold the basic rules.
The instructor helps to count the scores of each team and also stops the game when depositing more arrows in the safety zones.
Below are situations how players will earn points from the sport:
- Two points for taking down the target.
- Two points for catching the arrow shot of the opponent while flying.
- One point for hitting an opponent. The player shot needs to stay out of the game for 30 seconds.
What Are The Basic Archery Tag Equipment?
Archery tag sport has a wide range of accessories and equipment. The basic equipment for the game is a bow, arrows, finger tab, bow stand, quiver, bowstring, bracer, target, and more.
Below is a detailed description of a basic guide to archery tag equipment:
1. Bow
There are three types of bows used in Archery Tag. These bows include compound, recurve, and longbow. The recurve bows suit both left-handed and right-handed individuals. The curved ends happen to be the reason behind the name.
2. Bracer
It helps to keep the loose cloth from getting in the way of the string. It also stops the string from hitting the arm and causes injuries. The widest part of the bracer is close to the elbow.
3. Quiver
It is a device that helps to hold the arrow. A side quiver is usually worn around the belt and attached to the belt. The ground quiver is placed on the ground to hold the next arrow for archery.
4. Bow Stand
Equipment for holding a bow when not in use. It can also act as a storage point for archery bows in a store.
5. Finger Tab
The device offers ultimate protection to the fingers while drawing the string to release the arrow. The tab can be adjusted to comfortably fit the finger of the archery.
6. Bow Stringer
It is a device used to string and unstring the bow. Novice players need to learn how to use bow stringer through the guidance of experienced coaches for safety purposes.
7. Target
It is a point where the archers aim while shooting the bow. It consists of three parts i.e target face which is made from reinforced paper, a boss made from tightly packed rubbers to stop the arrows, and a stand for holding the target face and boss.
8. Arrow Rest
It is a device that helps to support the arrow while being shot. It is designed to put the arrow in the right position and prevent flight interference of the arrow. These gadgets are available for right and left-handed individuals.
9. Arrows
Arrows are made from wood, aluminum, and carbon or a combination of both. Always check the arrow stiffness and length for better results. Avoid using short arrows since they can damage the bow, string and even cause bruises on the arm.
What Are The Useful Tips For Playing Archery Tag?
Archery tag can be played by both novice and professionals. But having the right strategies can help you bring your archery tag skills to another level.
Below are the possible tips to consider when playing archery tag:
1. Keep Pace and Stamina
Archery tag games usually last between six and eight minutes. Pace and stamina are crucial when it comes to endurance. Winning games need stamina and strategy. If you want to win every game, try to keep pace and stamina.
2. Hide and Shoot Behind Cover
Try to use the cover wisely and learn the skill of shooting behind it. The chances of survival in the game need an individual to master the technique of shooting behind the cover. Keep in mind that the cover does not offer protection from all angles.
3. Team Communication
Communication as a team is crucial and it is a proven strategy for winning games. Brainstorm with your members before starting the game. Have a backup plan in case the other one fails and avoid shouting since it can give opponents a clue.
4. Have Fun and Enjoy
Ensure you have fun while playing archery tag sport. Try to be respectful to each other to bring out the excitement from the sport. Regular practice and designing of strategies will help build your archery tag skills.
Is It Possible to Win at Combat Archery Tag?
Absolutely. But this is possible for a team who have sharpened their skills. Improving archery tag skills can be achieved through regular practice and training.
Below are some of the ways on how to win at combat archery tags:
1. Position
Bow and arrow position is critical in any archery tag game. Many people find it challenging to position the arrow on the bow and this interferes with its flight.
Tilting the bow slightly at a right angle allows the arrow to rest on it. The position helps to bring balance to enhance better shooting and arrow flight.
2. Posture
Correct body posture is the backbone of archery tag. It allows the body to work more efficiently with the bow and also facilitates shooting accuracy.
Position your torso, head, shoulders, elbow, and lower arm correctly. The posture helps to allow proper shooting and precision to the target.
3. Masks
These are safety protective gears to always consider. Masks help to protect your face from possible injuries while having fun.
Protective gears allow an individual to concentrate on the game and navigate around the field without being worried about possible injuries.
4. Holding a Draw
Traditional bows are common in archery tag games. But those using modern bows usually hold a pulley and gear system. You need to withstand the weight of the bow before releasing the arrow to hit the target.
5. Hiding
Archery tag is a game of hiding behind the cover and shooting. Remember to avoid getting shot by hiding behind the cover. Remember most covers do not offer protection from all angles. Try to change positions to avoid getting shot.
6. Aiming
Be sure to position your anchor point when aiming to point the arrow to the target. Try to tilt the bow slightly upward to give the arrow enough length to fly and hit the target. Striking the target with precision is not easy but practice makes everything possible.
Are Archery Tags Safe?
Archery tag is the safest and fun sport to consider. The materials used to design the arrows will not hurt any player engaging in archery tag sport.
So, are archery tags safe? Absolutely. The arrows have foam-pointed for a safe landing on players. Besides that, the referee of the game helps to ensure all the rules and regulations are adhered to.
But every player needs to inspect the archery tag equipment before using it. Compromised gadgets might ruin the integrity and safety of the game.
Players should also wear the mask to protect their eyes. The aim is to avoid injuring the eyes with the string and arrows. Proper maintenance of these archery tag tools is critical.
Does Archery Tag Hurt?
Archery tag is a popular fun game and it is played by all ages. But many people are scared of being hit by an arrow while playing.
So, does an archery tag hurt? Not really. You will not get hurt after being hit by an arrow. The arrow tip has soft foam and the bow weighs under 30 pounds.
Wearing a mask is one way of minimizing the impact of the arrows. Inspect the archery tag equipment before using it to avoid causing injuries to other players.
Remember to learn how to play archery tag and follow all the rules to avoid hurting yourself or others. Consider faced shields, long sleeve shirts, chest protectors, and arm guards as safety gears.
How Long Does a Game of Archery Last?
Archery tag is a fun group sport that suits all ages. Today, players can participate in an archery tag tournament and win cash prizes.
So, how long does a game of archery last? Approximately two to four hours. But the archery competition can even take long hours depending on some circumstances.
Some archery tag games can take between two-four minutes depending on the number of arrows and type of tournament. Most archery tag games have short breaks not included in playing time.
How Many Arrows Should I Shoot Per Day?
This is one of the questions tossing the mind of novice players. A beginner archer should shoot as many arrows as possible while honing the skills.
The rule of thumb is to shoot 100 arrows per session in a day. But this usually depends on the experience of the archer. Professional archers can shoot up to 400 arrows in a single session.
