Teaching new archers

[Jock Whisky]

Our local club shoots three nights a week. One of the nights involves first time and novice archers shooting as well as more experienced members shooting. This results in the first timers and novice people being stacked three deep sometimes and not getting the attention I think they should have. It also means there are only one or two people able to coach because of lack of room. So I want to propose something different to the club.
For those who have training programs at their clubs, how do you run them.

FYI, There is a mix of trad and compound shooters. There are no "expert" coaches but some of us have certification suitable for beginners and intermediate people plus years of shooting. The club has beginner level equipment available. The indoor range is max 20 yards log and about twelve shooting lanes wide. Most of the members are 3D archers and hunters. The others are recreational shooters of a range of abilities. There are no FITA type shooters.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I have not been involved with training large groups of beginners, but I have a lot of one on one experience.... I think the first thing you need to do is limit the amount of beginners on the line at the same time & have no less than one supervisor to 3 archers on the line.....

If that isn't possible, you'll need to rotate groups of 3 shooters while the next group of 3 looks on....and everyone shoots at the same time.... They need to earn weapons free status.

Different classes should be set up with age groups too.... younger archers need closer supervision. These are weapons we are training these kids to use, and one wrong move could be fatal.

A written set of guide lines and basic rules on safety need to be addressed before an arrow ever gets knocked....

Training large groups of beginners is a big project. Good luck to you.

[Rob DiStefano]

there are two basic kinds of archery "training" we did back in the 60's that was effective for newbies - large group and one-on-one.  this was for both kids and adults - there is a definite diff'rence 'tween the two and the kids were usually the easier of the two to work with because they rarely brought along any preconceived archery notions.

the large group thing is more or less a preliminary classroom event about general interest, safety, nomenclature, rules and regulations ... the one-on-one gets down to gear selection and shooting, and we found it most effective for a student to follow the guidance of the same instructor (iow, one instructor worked with the same group of students).  we always had appropriate teaching "starter" bows and support gear on hand, particularly for the kids.

finding really good "instructors" is the tougher nut to crack, and sometimes the ones with certificate credentials might not be the best.  we vetted club members who wanted to teach and assigned who we thought were the best to that task.  this might not be an easy thing to do as ego can get in the way of actually helping folks.

[dirtguy]

It is great to hear that you have such a high level of interest.  So much of what Rob said is true.  The large group setting is good for going over the basics, learning terminology etc. but you need small group and one on one time.  USA Archery (and maybe its Canadian equivalent?) has resources to look at on line.  

Finding good instructors is the key.  There are just some people that understand teaching.  Think of the best elementary school teacher you had - that is the person that you want.

[moebow]

Our club offers a beginner's class running from January to March, it is free to all.  We get 20 to 30 kids ranging from 5 YO to the teens.  For the first couple sessions we do eye dominance, determine a bow for each shooter ranging from recurve to Genesis -- no personal equipment for these early sessions, and "first shot(s)."

Generally, we run 2 or 3 lines, introduce rules and safety and whistle commands.  These first couple sessions are pretty busy and wild but most importantly EVERY shooter gets a few arrows sticking in the target butt and goes home "successful."

Later, we will separate the younger and older groups into different time sessions for better instructor/student ratios and individual attention.  We will also allow personal equipment later in the program but only based on instructor approval of the equipment based on the student and equipment brought to the class.  It must be appropriate to the level of the shooter and safe -- often the "WalMart specials" or garage treasures are poor choices.

Obviously, the program is NOT one to produce top archers, just get them shooting in a safe manner and being successful.  An introduction.

As Rob mentioned, getting instructors is a challenge but we twist arms and provide training for Level 1 and/or level 2 qualification.

We find that programs like this are good PR, provide a potential source for new memberships and of course get beginners started out in the right direction.

We also offer occasional "open houses" at the club for any/all (mostly adult) shooters with equipment available, or use their own, and qualified instructors and coaches available for any level of proficiency.

I think clubs are missing out by not being active in these two areas in some form or fashion.

Arne

[McDave]

Jock, from what you wrote, the most important thing I could advise is to limit classes to a number of participants where everyone can have a good experience, without being crowded, having adequate instruction, and not waiting too long in between shooting sessions.  For me, that would be no more than two groups, where one is shooting and one is waiting, 6 participants per instructor (3 shooting, 3 waiting), and enough elbow room in between shooters where people aren't bumping into each other.  This may mean that attendance has to be limited, but if I were a participant, I would rather be put on a waiting list for the next class than have a bad experience in a class I attended.

[ChuckC]

With younger kids ( and some adults too) I think you need more one on one, at least to start, just for safety.

Although certainly NOT a certified trainer, I have dealt with brand new shooters (mainly kids) at sports shows, via our state organization's shooting area, and they are a handful.  

I had one little girl get so excited upon actually hitting the target, that she dropped her bow and started to run to get the arrow !  Whew ! Didn't expect that one.

Once they grasp certain safety ideas and the basics, then more students per trainer is OK.

We have developed hunter education and bowhunter education to fairly finely tuned shows.  No reason why we can't develop similar shows for this facet of training.  

Know the limitations of the group, of the area / equipment, and the trainer needs for any particular training session.
ChuckC

[Maxx Black]

Jock!
The info given by all so far is Very Good. Can I add that maybe a red light system be also added , and set up down range for instructor to turn on when range is called Open,and closed. We had one child that is hearing impaired and light helps. And only one instructor to call Open and Closed,unless a potential emergency . Some good info here,I'll keep following.
Ken

[BWallace10327]

I am not an archery coach, or an extremly experienced teacher of anything, but what experience I have had teaching anything, I have leaned heavily on 20th century neuropsychologist Donald Hebb's Theory of Cell Assembly and Phase Sequencing.  According to this theory, children have not yet built cell assemblies, which make up phase sequences.  This lack of experience makes kids more receptive to how many teachers would like to teach. IE student knows nothing and they imitate the teacher to a T.  Adult learning deals with a student who has already acquired experiences in life, and are best taught through relating new concepts to the previously constructed cell assemblies and phase sequences (more recently referred to as neuropathways).  This is why trying to teach an adult to shoot traditional archery that has previously shot compound (or a slingshot or a shotgun or anything nearly relevant) requires a different approach than a kid who in entirely new to the sport.

[reddogge]

Our club does youth beginner archery classes for up to 18 kids I believe. We divide the group into two or three platoons and put stickers on them so they remember. First session is heavy into rules, safety, terminology, etc plus a little shooting. Second through 6th sessions is heavy in shooting by platoons. They basically break balloons at short ranges. We can run this type of instruction with as little as one person or several. It's a big money maker for us.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Something else that needs to be mentioned here that is very important.

These kids parents or guardian needs to learn the basic rules of archery safety right along with the kids. The parents need to know these are weapons, not toys, and their children should never be allowed access to their archery equipment, or the use of it without "proper"supervision....  

I know that a lot of you folks have been around archery long enough, and have raised your kids around it too. So this is a no brainer to you. But there are many parents out there that would not distinguish these bow any different than toys.

I've seen this at 3D shoots where they have set up practice ranges, and did not have a range marshal on duty all the time, or in some cases none of the time. On two separate occasions i've had to collar unsupervised kids that were not following safety procedures that could have been a serious situation. Once the mother of the child was sitting there watching while i almost tackled this kid getting ready to shoot while there were a bunch of kids still down range looking for arrows...I yelled at the kid twice not to shoot, and he ignored me..... I had to grab the bow out of his hands literally. The mother got all pissed off at me and asked me what the hell i thought i was doing? Boy I gave it to her both barrels and confiscated the kids arrows until Dad got off the course..... Then i found out Dad wasn't even at the shoot, and i felt bad.... So i offered to help the little guy.

The kid wouldn't mind his mother, or follow my instructions either. So he wasn't allowed to shoot any more....

Moral of story:  The parents need instruction right along with their kids. and kids should never be allowed to shoot unsupervised..... a range marshal with a whistle works well.... If rules are not followed to a Tee, the kids are removed.

[Jock Whisky]

IO should also have asked what is the youngest age you will take on a new archer. We have some very young (5 or 6) and they worry me. I know it may depend on the kid buty I'm not their mom or dad and I have more than one to look after.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Joe. I think their mom or Dad should be right there with them when they are that young. You are basically teaching the parents to teach the child.
Those little ones require one on one attention & NEVER take your eye off em.

i started my daughter shooting 3D when she was 4.

[Jock Whisky]

I guess I should have asked at what age do you start them. There are a couple of very young ones that worry me. (5 or 6 years old). I realize it depends on the kid but I'm not their mom or dad and there are others to look after as well.

[Bill Sant]

[Bill Sant]

Our club in cooperation with the Municipality of Anchorage offers free archery lessons through the Parks and Rec.  We do it two or three times a year for 8 weeks each session.  EVERYBODY is welcome as it is a public offering.  The Muni supplies the venue,,either an inside building or our range that is on Muni land,,, and our club, Northwest Archers here in Anchorage, supplies the equipment and the instructors.  We use the Nasp curriculum(national archery in the schools) in the use of our equipment and the training of our staff.  It is completely voluntary on behalf of our instructors running the program and our club covers the cost of instructor training for the nasp system that is taught through the Alaska State Fish and Game.

We usually handle between 700 to 900 shooters  (some return shooters each week obviously), but we estimate 450 plus new shooters introduced each of our eight week sessions.  Ages 5years to 88 years have attended,,,lots of young kids.                    

We shoot 10 lanes and can run it with 4 instructors but we usually have 7 or 8.  The beauty of the nasp system is its mobility and the ability to safely set it up in a warehouse, a school gymnasium, or even church auditoriums with the net arrow catching system.  In the summer we just run it at our clubs' outdoor static range.

It is hugely successful as a way for parents to let their kids find out if they will really like it without spending a bunch of money on equipment that may be forgotten in a week or two

Now before somebody goes nuts with the genesis bows, we make everybody learn on the same equipment and after a few sessions we introduce recurves to those who express an interest.  Usually half of the people are shooting recurves by the end of class 3.  I'm as traditional as anybody but teaching people and getting them hooked on archery is the goal.

It would not be hard to use this format to teach youngsters in age groups or abilities through a club or other organized group that would be able to provide the necessary insurance etc.  Sorry for the long post but there is still more info out there.  check it out

[Bill Sant]

Just for the record my buddy Lance is doing the interview and I'm the big guy in the camo coveralls and hat.

[Roadkill]

Young men learn better from another adult male than a father!
See if you can find the 4H archery booklet from 4-H in Oregon.  Great basics and easy to reproduce for students and parents.

My 4-H group cuts off archers at 30.  I take new archers on lane 7 and as they get better they move up to lane 6.  I can still see and help them, but am working on 7.
A safety exam and one one the nomenclature of their bow makes it easy for you to correct from a distance.  Their bow, compound or trad, not that they cannot and do not trade off, but they must know what you are talking about.  I make various projects, armguards, quivers, fletching their own arrows, and one even made his bow in my oven,  available.  
I have a target on lane 7 at 10 yards. Rest are at 19.
After about an hour of shooting at targets under supervision, break, then we go to balloons, geometric shapes or candle flames.  At the end of that second hour, they are tired, clean up, take exams, fill in log books.  
If they know what to expect, they willshow up ready to go.  They have to feel comfortable asking questions and no public criticism, from anyone, allowed.  Teaching is so enjoyable, but all the instructors must use common terminology and procedures to make the new shooter comfortable getting corrections from anyone