[Sportsandrec] Blind archery & blind tennis infor...?

[Kelly Thornbury]

Kathuy, 

Sorry this took so long to respond, a "user glitch" in my mail program sent nearly 3,000 emails to my junk folder without my realizing it, and I'm just now catching up. 

I am a blind archer (although, based on my last practice and the number of arrows I stuck in the college's wall, I should probably give up that title). I don't know what type of information you are looking for, and quite honestly, there isn't much to be found through USABA or other blind sports-related sites. I found most of my information through the British Blind Sports website under the archery section. Blind archery has had its greatest influence by the BBS, and it is possible to find blind archers in many local clubs shooting alongside sighted archers. I think, and this is only through third-hand sources, there was one or maybe two blind archers at the national championships this year. 

While there a few different ways of sighting in a shot, the most common method, and the one used in international competition, is the tactile stand. This would be a stand where the archer would place a point of contact (somewhere between the elbow and the back of the hand) to get a reference of where they are shooting. The most common set-up is the use of a camera tripod with a horizontal "pointer" attached to the camera mount. A stand needs to be easily adjustable, and this set-up seems to work the best for now. I'm not aware of any commercial sources for a complete stand, but the BBS site does sell plans and pointers I believe. The stand needs to incorporate foot markers so that your position relative to the stand is consistent. Using a pointer sounds easy enough to my sighted peers, until they try it themselves... With only one point of reference to the stand it takes practice to position your rear shoulder exactly the same every time. From experience, a one or two degree rotation of the rear shoulder equates to a meter or more of movement in your shot (hence, all the arrows I've stuck into the walls). 

If you (or anyone) is interested in more details, international rule books, or pictures and ideas for stands, contact me off-list. 

Kelly
kthornbury at bresnan.net

On Sep 24, 2013, at 6:17 AM, Romeo, Kathleen wrote:

> 
> 
> Hello,
> I am looking for information on blind archery & blind tennis.
> Thank you.
> Kathy Romeo,
> WPB VAMC
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