Many sports require big initial investments to even try. But shooting your first arrow is easy. Just call a nearby archery store and you’ll be on your way to trying and enjoying a sport that could fascinate you for life.
Contact an Archery Shop
Archery shops are hubs for local archery knowledge, equipment repairs, and everything you need to get started. Most shops offer archery lessons. If they don’t, their pro can refer you to a nearby instructor.
Building a relationship with a shop is important. The store’s experts are your go-to resources for all things archery. It’s tempting to score “great deals” online, but be careful what you wish for. You can’t simply pull a bow from its box and start shooting. You need an expert to set it up and make sure it’s properly fitted to you.
You can find a nearby archery shop with a quick internet search, or you can use our store locator by clicking here.
Seek Lessons and Programs
Once you find a shop, ask about its lessons and programs. Many shops rent bows you can use for lessons. That’s a great way to try the sport and get instructions without jumping in and buying gear.
A 30-minute private lesson is a great introduction. As you progress, you might want to extend your lessons to one hour. Group lessons are a fun, social way to try archery. Shops have beginner group lessons for adults and youths.
Another way to try archery is through a program. Consider Explore Archery, Junior Olympic Archery Development, Scholastic 3D Archery, National Archery in the Schools Program, and Olympic Archery in the Schools.
Make Time, Start Shooting
When you attend your introductory lesson, you’ll find an instructor who’s excited to help. You’ll shoot your first arrows at close distances while learning archery’s basic techniques. As your skills increase, your accuracy will improve and you’ll shoot increasingly farther.
You won’t run laps or break a heavy sweat shooting archery, but you should dress appropriately. Wear closed-toed shoes like sneakers, and if your lesson is outdoors, dress for the weather but avoid baggy clothes that can catch the bowstring. If you have long hair, wear it in a ponytail or pull it away from your face. You’ll draw the bowstring back to your face, and you don’t want it to catch your hair when releasing the arrow.
Once you’ve tried archery, you’ll be hooked and want to make it part of your life. Continue taking lessons, and start thinking about the type of bow you want to shoot as you explore archery’s many disciplines.
