looking for a little advice on starting out a new recruit

[Oregon Okie]

One of the neighbors has hit me up to help get her 14 year old daughter get going on archery. I have been shooting with my kid and others but mostly younger. This young lady is pretty tall so I think full size gear is needed. My questions are about what to consider for armguards as I've heard of women having more arm slap sometimes. Also glove vs tab or try em both and see. I haven't spent alot of time to know her goals yet as far as target, fun, hunting, or what.
I have a 25lb bear polar that will be a good start I think. Just wanted any advice from those with similar age kids so I can get her going and not mess her up too bad.

[emt137]

Russel,

When my wife wanted to get into trad archery with me I got her a 35# @ 28" a Maddog midsize longbow and some arrows from Magnus.

I got her a 3 under cordovan tab and a youth size leather armguard.  All seem to work well for her.  She doesn't hunt, but just shoots with me in the backyard.  This probably wasn't a lot of help, but hopefully it helps give you somewhere to start.

[Uncle Buck]

I would not start teaching anyone especially kids without an arm guard. Once they get stung by the string they will be anticipating it on every shot. I usually start them off with a glove, just because once its on they dont have to give it another thought. I show them my tab and how it works, so they can decide if they want to try it. I also start with the target at  5 yards That way they will almost always start out shooting a good group. Most important though, is to make sure they have proper form. The better form they start with the fewer corrections they will have to deal with later. It seems like every 14 year old girl in the country wants to shoot a recurve now because of that movie last summer. Its a great oppurtunity to increase the popularity of tradional archery.

[stevewills]

light draw,and lots of arrows...when my 12 year old wanted to try recurves she just loves slinging arrows...make it fun,sounds like the bow and gear you have will work fine...

[Bjorn]

Especially the first few sessions focus on shooting balloons and anything else that offers a reward. Focus on having a good time.................she may get interested; maybe not, you'll just have to see how it goes. Definitely have her use an armguard and something over the fingers-does not matter if it is a tab or glove. Light bow and no nagging! LOL

[ddauler]

What Bjorn said.

[Oregon Okie]

thanks guys. I'll work on the no nagging part : )

[snag]

You'll do fine Russ. No pressure....just because the success of introducing a young lady to archery is in your hands...no problem....haha   Seriously, you have a great way about you and think it will go well.  You both will have fun exploring the bow and arrow.
This summer Steve and I helped a youth camp with an archery program. We had some kids who were big enough to shoot adult bows with 28"-29" arrows. We showed them how to stand, hold the string with an arrow on it, how to draw and anchor, safety, etc. But the best learning happened when they loosed an arrow. The reluctant ones had big grins and it was like a light went on! They realized they could do this and it was FUN!

[Shakes.602]

Start them as "Close to the Target" as they think they can hit it. Then after several Sessions at that distance, working on Good Habits such as Stance, Anchor Point Regularity, etc. etc., Then Move back 5 or 10 Yards.    
 I also agree with the Balloon Idea!! Love to hear them  POP , hate to blow the Suckers up though!!      :rolleyes:

[macbow]

We follow most of the above advice.
The balloons are good to,get their focus.
Be prepared to,stand behind her if there is any struggle with form. Just ask her if it is ok then put one hand over her bow hand and the other on her drawing elbow and stress pulling with her arm in alignment . Sorta pulling back,with her elbow, this will help with back tension.

Have her draw the bow to,full draw without an arrow. You'll be,able to see right away if her elbow wants to bend inward.
If this is the case the whole arm needs to be protected. A large,tube sock with the toes,cut off makes a decent arm guard.
If she has the dreaded reverse elbow work on twisting the bow hand and working the elbow out.

The bow you have should be in the right range.
Don't forget to check eye dominance.