Lars Andersen: A new level of archery

Summary

Lars Andersen, a Danish archer, is reinventing ancient archery techniques that have been lost for centuries. By studying historical manuscripts and artwork, he has revived methods that allow for lightning-fast shooting while in motion, with arrows held in the same hand. Through intense practice, Lars has set new speed records and mastered feats like shooting multiple arrows in under a second and splitting incoming arrows. His journey challenges modern archery norms, proving that archery is more than just a stationary sport—it's a dynamic, versatile skill rooted in history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Master archers of the past performed incredible feats of archery using forgotten techniques that are being rediscovered today.
• 😀 Lars Andersen is reinventing ancient archery methods by using historical techniques and holding all arrows in one hand.
• 😀 The ancient method of holding arrows in one hand allows for faster and more accurate shooting compared to modern methods.
• 😀 Lars' research shows that historical archers used to shoot with arrows placed on the right side of the bow, enabling quicker shots.
• 😀 The back quiver, a commonly depicted tool in movies, was not practical for fast movement and was not widely used by historical archers.
• 😀 Modern archers have adopted inefficient methods like placing arrows on the left side of the bow and using gadgets like front sights, which are unsuitable for dynamic shooting.
• 😀 Lars discovered that ancient archers had techniques for shooting both hands on the bow and firing rapidly in various circumstances, including while moving.
• 😀 War archers of the past had total control over their bows in all situations, including under pressure and in combat, which modern archers often lack.
• 😀 Historical archers could shoot at any range, even close distances, by mastering the art of speed shooting.
• 😀 Lars' intense practice has allowed him to achieve remarkable feats like catching and shooting an incoming arrow while in midair.
• 😀 The ultimate archery trick is not splitting an arrow in two but splitting an incoming arrow with another, demonstrating extraordinary skill and precision.

Q & A

What is Lars Andersen trying to accomplish with his archery skills?

Lars Andersen is attempting to revive and reinvent ancient archery techniques that have been forgotten over time, using historical methods to perform feats of speed and accuracy in archery.

How does Lars Andersen's technique differ from modern archery practices?

Andersen uses the technique of holding all his arrows in the same hand and shooting with both hands, unlike modern archery where arrows are placed on the left side of the bow. His method allows for faster and more fluid motion while shooting.

Why is the back quiver considered ineffective according to Lars Andersen?

The back quiver is ineffective because it hinders quick movement. Lars Andersen found it to be a Hollywood myth and not common in the past. Modern archers often use back quivers, but they don't move quickly while shooting, unlike historical archers.

What is the significance of the arrow placement on the right side of the bow?

Placing the arrow on the right side of the bow allows for faster shooting because the arrow can be drawn and fired in a single motion. This method eliminates the need for multiple movements before shooting.

What role did historical manuscripts play in Lars Andersen's archery revival?

Lars Andersen studied old manuscripts to learn about the techniques of master archers. These documents revealed that skilled archers could shoot in motion, use both hands for shooting, and even shoot arrows they picked up from the ground.

What were some of the myths about war archers that Lars Andersen debunked?

Lars Andersen debunked the myth that war archers only shot at long distances. He found that they were capable of shooting at any distance, even up close, and could shoot rapidly with accuracy.

What was the significance of archers using both hands in historical archery?

Using both hands in archery provided more control over the bow and allowed for shooting in various positions and situations. It also made it possible to shoot faster and more accurately under dynamic conditions, such as while moving.

How does Lars Andersen compare to historical archers in terms of strength and skill?

While Lars Andersen is not as physically strong as historical archers, his arrows still demonstrate significant power, capable of penetrating chainmail armor and heavy gambesons. His skill in speed and accuracy is on par with the feats of ancient archers.

What is Lars Andersen's speed shooting record, and how does it compare to historical records?

Lars Andersen can shoot three arrows in 0.6 seconds, which is significantly faster than the historical record of Saracen archers who were expected to shoot three arrows in 1.5 seconds. This highlights the effectiveness of his technique.

What is the ultimate archery trick that Lars Andersen accomplished, surpassing the famous Robin Hood feat?

Lars Andersen surpassed the Robin Hood feat by splitting an incoming arrow in two with one of his own arrows, which he considers the ultimate archery trick, rather than simply splitting an arrow down the middle.