In the time it takes you to read this sentence, Lars Andersen could have put ten arrows in the air. The Danish archer has built an internet empire on one simple premise: shooting arrows really, really fast.

His signature feat? 10 arrows in 4.9 seconds. That's faster than most people can count to ten.

How He Does It

Andersen's technique throws out the rulebook of modern competitive archery. Instead of using a quiver on his back, he holds multiple arrows in his drawing hand. Rather than anchoring at his cheek for maximum accuracy, he uses a fluid, instinctive shooting style that prioritizes speed over precision at distance.

Key elements of his approach:

Holding arrows in the bow hand for rapid nocking
Drawing on the right side of the bow (opposite to most Western archers)
Shooting instinctively rather than aiming deliberately
Firing while moving, jumping, or even mid-roll

The Viral Phenomenon

His 2015 video "Lars Andersen: A New Level of Archery" didn't just go viral—it exploded. Over 100 million views across platforms. News coverage worldwide. And a heated debate that still rages in archery communities today.

Andersen claims his techniques are based on historical methods lost to time, citing medieval manuscripts and ancient artwork. He argues that modern archery, with its stabilizers, sights, and careful form, bears little resemblance to how warriors actually shot in combat.

The Controversy

Not everyone's buying it. Historians and traditional archers have pushed back hard on his "rediscovered ancient techniques" narrative. Their criticisms:

Historical sources don't clearly support his specific methods
Speed shooting existed but wasn't necessarily the dominant combat style
His accuracy at distance doesn't match what battlefield archery required
Some "ancient" techniques appear to be modern innovations

Academic archery researchers have written lengthy rebuttals. Combat archery experts have filmed response videos. The debate can get surprisingly heated for a discussion about medieval weaponry.

Entertainment vs. History

Here's the thing: Lars Andersen is genuinely impressive. Whether or not Genghis Khan's archers shot exactly like him, the man can do things with a bow that seem to defy physics. He's caught arrows mid-flight. He's shot targets while doing parkour. He's split incoming arrows Robin Hood style.

Is it historically accurate combat archery? Probably not entirely. Is it entertaining as hell? Absolutely.

Andersen has essentially created a new sport—call it "trick archery" or "speed shooting"—that exists somewhere between historical reenactment and circus performance. And millions of people can't stop watching.

The Legacy

Whatever you think of his historical claims, Andersen has done something remarkable: he made archery cool again. Archery clubs reported spikes in membership after his videos went viral. Equipment sales jumped. A whole generation discovered that bows and arrows weren't just for Renaissance fairs.

The man shoots ten arrows in under five seconds. Even his critics have to admit: that's pretty fun to watch.

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