This is a common plea from archers up and down the land and so a lot of research has gone into the subject. An obvious reason is the lack of correct equipment, but I have done some experimentation of my own and proved that better (more expensive?) gear does not automatically mean better shooting. Another oft quoted reason for scores lower than one would like, and one backed up by many coaches, is poor stance/draw/loose etc. That cannot possibly be the reason, so we shall dig deeper.

1. The independant arrow theory.

I have read that arrows are actually quite solitary creatures and hate being kept together in archery kit and the quiver. Thus when they are released they try to put as much distance from each other as possible. A nice theory, and one that I personally demonstrate quite often with my arrows scattered around the boss. But - there are some archers who seem to be able to consistently put all of their arrows in the middle - do they have a more social breed of arrows?

2. The dissimilar metal hypotheses

We all know that dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolyte will corrode, and that certain metals like iron can be magnetised so that like poles can repel. Put these two facts together and it is possible that dissimilar metals repel each other. All arrows have at least a steel (ie mainly iron) point, and most non-wooden arrows have at least some aluminium in the shaft. When we propel our arrows towards the target they initially start out heading directly at the centre of the boss - I know this to be true because that is where I always aim the arrow. Then, as it approaches the target face, the gold centre starts to repel the dissimilar metal of the arrow. This is why the arrows spread out by the time they hit the boss to be nowhere near the middle. It also explains how some arrows occasionally hit the gold. As the arrow and the gold spot are circular, if the arrow is exactly in the centre then the repulsive forces will be equal in all directions, thereby keeping it in the middle. That goes some way towards how some archers seem to always hit the gold, or they have discovered the equivalent to the secret of alchemy - turning their arrows into gold.

Any other ideas are welcome, otherwise we are all going to have to start believing the coaches that it is our own fault.

Rupert Heath 2006