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Clout
comes from the old English word meaning cloth. The name relates
to the old archery practice of shooting long distances at a cloth
on the ground. It is believed to have developed as a method for
archers to practice shooting at advancing knights but has now become a
form of target archery with the cloth replaced by a small flagstick.
The distances in clout are appreciable; 180 yards for men (slightly
shorter for women and juniors). Archers normally need to shoot their arrows
at high trajectories in order to make the distance and arrows are
scored according to how near they land to the clout. Clout is practiced with all the
main bow-types.
Unfortunately due to the long distances involved and the need for a
large overshoot area, clout archery is not possible at South Leeds
Archers. We remain predominantly a target archery club but some
of our members do occasionally travel to other clubs to compete in
clout events.
If you have never tried clout before you really should as it is a fine
experience. One is never quite sure where the arrows have landed
until one approaches the target area and there is normally no point of
reference to aim at other than perhaps a passing cloud. ;o)
Ewen Reynolds
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