Archery is played in sets like tennis

Imagine yourself standing at the front of a subway platform, then visualize a CD-sized target at the other end of the station. Everyone is looking at you, but you have to remain calm before releasing your arrow. This is what competitive archers experience when they shoot for the center of a 122 cm-diameter target 70 meters away.

At the Olympic Games, the classical bow is the sport of choice. The best archers duel in individual, team and mixed doubles events. Matches are played in sets, much like in tennis.

Each set consists of three arrows shot by each athlete. The archer with the highest score in the set (sum of the scores of the three arrows) scores 2 points. In the event of a tie, each archer receives 1 point. The first to reach 6 points individually - 5 points in team or mixed doubles - is the winner.

Required qualities: concentration, rigor and precision!

Archery is one of the oldest sports and was first used for hunting and warfare as far back as 1200 BC. In the Middle Ages, archers competed in tournaments. The beursault, a particular form of back-and-forth shooting, remains from these distant times. The "tir du Roy" is also still with us today. It's an annual tournament where archers challenge each other by shooting a wooden bird. The best among them is then named Roy.

The Robin Hood shot originates from the story of the legendary archer, meaning to shoot an arrow through the shaft of another arrow already embedded in the target. It's a feat reminiscent of the renowned outlaw's remarkable skills!

Over time, archery became a sport in its own right, and in 1931, an international federation was created. Today, World Archery is the organisation dedicated to regulating and promoting the discipline.

During volleys, the atmosphere is calm. You'll hear clicks, signifying the release of arrows towards the target, and muffled impacts. The former is due to the use of a clicker, a small metal bar that acts as an extension controller. It indicates the extension limit for each shooter. When the clicker sounds, the archer can release his arrow. The second sound is more or less muffled, depending on the impact of the arrows on straw or foam targets.

Technical modernization has considerably improved archers' equipment. To shoot an arrow effectively, archers utilize various accessories: the plunger button to cushion the arrow upon release and minimize its oscillation in flight, stabilizers, or a colored optical fiber to serve as an aiming point.

Archery is fun, and can be practiced indoors or out. It's suitable for everyone, from children to the elderly. Although quiet, it's a complete sport that's good for the body. You'll work on your abdominal muscles and sheathing to achieve perfect posture. There's also a bit of walking involved.

Archery also improves the mental arithmetic of the younger players and maintains the faculties of the older ones. It's worth noting that, after each volley, the archers tally their own points under the watchful eye of the referees. Sometimes you can hear the archers calculating their scores out loud.

Channel your inner Robin Hood with a longbow, or embrace Katniss Everdeen with a recurve bow. For those who prioritize high-precision shooting, a compound bow is the ideal choice.

If you'd like to discover archery, several clubs in Paris offer courses.