Archery: Self-Taught Or Not?

It is possible to teach yourself archery, especially with the wealth of resources and technology available today. However, archery is a physical craft that heavily relies on consistency and proper form, so it is essential to be mindful of specific techniques and practices to master the skill or participate in competitions. While you can learn the basics and develop your skills through self-teaching, seeking feedback or professional coaching can help you avoid developing poor habits that may hinder your progress in the long run.

Online resources and communities

There are a plethora of online resources and communities that can help you learn archery. Here are some suggestions:

• YouTube Channels: YouTube is a great place to start, with many archers providing in-depth tutorials and tips. Channels such as Nusensei, Jake Kaminski, Clay Hanes, Armin Hirmer, The Way of Archery (Justin Ma), Online Archery Academy, Triple Trouble Archery, The Push, Rogue Archery, and Grizzly Jim / Archery Adventures are all highly recommended by the archery community on Reddit.
• Reddit: The r/Archery subreddit is a fantastic resource, with many experienced archers offering advice and guidance. It's a great place to ask questions, get feedback, and connect with other archers.
• Online Forums: Joining online archery forums can provide you with a wealth of information and support. These forums allow you to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from archers around the world.
• Online Courses: Websites like Online Archery Academy offer guided courses with step-by-step instructions to improve your archery skills. These courses are designed to help you learn at your own pace and provide a convenient virtual coach that you can access anywhere.
• Archery Websites: Websites dedicated to archery, such as ArcheryBoss and Archery Dude, offer a wealth of information, including articles, guides, and tips for both beginners and experienced archers. They cover various topics, from choosing the right equipment to improving your technique.
• Email Newsletters: Some websites offer email newsletters that deliver archery tips and resources directly to your inbox. For example, Online Archery Academy provides three weekly tips to improve your archery skills.

With so many online resources and communities available, you can easily find the guidance and support you need to learn and improve your archery skills, even if you are self-taught.

The importance of safety

Archery is considered one of the safest recreational sports, with one source citing it as having one of the lowest injury rates in sports. However, accidents can still happen, and it is important to follow safety protocols to avoid injuries.

Inspecting Equipment

Before using a bow and arrow, it is crucial to inspect the equipment to ensure it is in safe working order. A major cause of archery-related accidents is due to damaged bows or bowstrings snapping. Therefore, it is important to check all components of the bow and arrow for any signs of damage, including cracks, chips, fraying, warping, or any other wear and tear that could compromise their integrity.

Proper Archery Attire

It is important for participants to wear appropriate clothing when practising archery. Scarves, hoods, jewellery, or loose clothing should be avoided as they can get tangled in the bow or, in the case of jewellery, caught in a fired arrow, leading to serious injuries.

Range Safety

Archery ranges should be well-marked and organised, with designated areas for spectators and safety lines to control the movements of archers and ensure the safety of others. The range should be as flat as possible, free from obstructions, and well-maintained to prevent tripping hazards. In addition, the range should be located in a relatively secluded area to minimise the risk of unauthorised individuals entering during practice.

Safety Protocols

To ensure safety, all archers should load, aim, shoot, and retrieve arrows simultaneously. A system of whistles can be used to coordinate these actions. It is important to emphasise that archers should not retrieve their arrows until signalled to do so, as this can lead to accidental shootings. Furthermore, archers should never load their arrows with people in front of them and should never stand in front of a loaded bow.

Backstops

Archery ranges should be equipped with backstops, such as straw bales, to prevent errant arrows from travelling too far beyond the target. Backstops protect individuals who may inadvertently wander behind the range and make it easier to collect fired arrows, reducing the risk of archers spending too much time looking behind the targets and getting struck by other participants.

Supervision

Supervision is critical to safety in archery, especially when working with younger archers. Archery practice should always be conducted under the supervision of a certified instructor or counsellor to ensure safety protocols are followed and proper techniques are employed.

Safe Storage

Archery equipment, particularly bows and arrows, should be stored securely when not in use to prevent unauthorised use and potential accidents.

Safety at Home

For those practising archery at home or in their backyard, it is important to check local city codes and regulations regarding the use of bows and arrows on private property. Additionally, neighbours' safety should be considered, and similar safety protocols to those on an archery range should be followed.

Safety Certifications

Organisations such as USA Archery offer coach certification courses to ensure that instructors are trained to set up and operate archery ranges safely while teaching students how to shoot responsibly. These safety measures contribute to maintaining archery as a safe sport for participants of all ages and skill levels.

Choosing the right bow

When selecting a bow, you need to decide on the type you want to use. The most common types are the longbow, recurve, and compound bow. Your choice will mostly come down to preference, but certain bows may be better suited to your needs. For example, recurve and compound bows are best for hunting and serious competitive shooting, while longbows are great for casual shooting and target practice. Crossbows are ideal for hunting and casual shooting but are not allowed in most archery competitions.

After deciding on the type of bow, you'll need to ensure it fits you correctly. The three primary factors for getting the proper bow are hand, draw length, and draw weight. The hand of the bow—right or left-handed—is almost always dependent on which eye is dominant. Your draw length depends on how long your arms are, and it's essential to get the right size bow. If you get a bow that is too short for you, you'll overdraw the bow and cause it to stack. If you get one that's too large, you'll sacrifice arrow speed, which is essential for accuracy. Your draw weight refers to how heavy the bow is to draw to its measured draw length. Starting with a lower draw weight is recommended so you can learn proper form and build up the muscles used for archery. Shooting with a heavier bow will help with your arrow speed, but make sure you're not too heavy, or it will negatively impact your form.

If you can, it's worth getting professional help with your first bow, even if you intend to teach yourself archery. An archery shop (preferably one with a shooting range) can help you try out the bow and get some basic instructions before buying. If you intend to be an excellent shot, you need a bow that fits your hand, as well as your individual draw length and draw weight.

The importance of form

Archery is a sport that requires precision, control, focus, physical ability, and determination. While it is possible to teach yourself archery, it is important to be aware of the challenges that come with learning the proper form.

Consistency is Key

Consistency is crucial in archery. The ability to reproduce a result is known as precision, and it is achieved by maintaining a consistent form. Your form refers to the physical stance and shot sequence you use when shooting. By practicing the same form over and over, you can improve your precision and hit the target more consistently. However, this requires a lot of practice and dedication.

Unlearning Bad Habits

Learning archery on your own can lead to the development of bad habits that can be difficult to unlearn. Self-taught archers may create rituals or pick up nuances that help them overcome temporary problems, but these can ruin their form and become ingrained, causing trouble in the long run. It is important to learn the correct form from the beginning to avoid having to unlearn bad habits later on.

Form Affects Accuracy

Your form also contributes to your accuracy, which is how close your arrows land to the center of the target. A good form allows you to shoot in a variety of scenarios, regardless of terrain, environment, or distance. With a consistent form, you can repeat a shot and hit the target consistently, whether you are shooting at 5 meters or 50 meters.

Preventing Injuries

Practicing with incorrect form can also lead to injuries. Archery requires the use of specific muscles in proper alignment, and using the wrong muscles can put stress on your body and cause harm. Learning the correct form ensures that you are using the right muscles and avoiding potential injuries.

The Benefits of Professional Guidance

While it is possible to teach yourself archery, seeking guidance from experienced archers or professionals can be beneficial. They can provide feedback on your form, help you identify and correct any problems, and prevent the development of bad habits. Working with a coach or joining an archery club can help you build a solid foundation and improve your archery skills more effectively.

In conclusion, form is crucial in archery as it affects your consistency, accuracy, and safety. Learning the correct form from the beginning and seeking guidance when needed will help you become a better archer and improve your overall archery experience.

The benefits of a trainer

While archery can be self-taught, there are many benefits to having a trainer.

A good trainer will be able to guide you through the intricacies of the sport, helping you to develop your skills more efficiently and effectively. They will be able to tailor their teaching methods to your specific needs and learning style, ensuring that you are constantly challenged and improving.

A trainer will also be able to provide you with access to the necessary equipment, saving you the cost of purchasing your own. They can advise on the best equipment for your needs, and the correct way to use and maintain it. This will ensure that you develop good habits and techniques from the outset, which will be beneficial as you progress.

Additionally, a trainer will be able to provide you with a structured training plan, ensuring that you are constantly challenged and improving. They can also help you to set goals and provide you with feedback on your progress, which can be a great motivator.

Having a trainer will also give you access to a community of fellow archers, providing you with a network of support and the opportunity to learn from others. This social aspect of the sport can be a great source of motivation and can help to keep you engaged and accountable.

Overall, having a trainer can help to enhance your enjoyment of the sport, providing you with the skills, knowledge, and community to succeed and progress in archery.

Frequently asked questions