A Short Guide for the Parents of Young Archers
(and also for anyone coaching young archers)

This section is by a GNAS National Coach written with the younger archer in mind.
By John Kember-Smith, G.N.A.S. National Coach Emeritus.

"Initially archery should be fun and little more. Enjoyment is the name of the game and this should continue even at the highest level of performance. Archery should be enjoyed for its own sake and not to please anyone else. With the passage of time the way in which it is enjoyed may change but this should be left to take its course.

It is important to remember that the child’s bone structure and muscular development do not necessarily keep pace with each other as the child progresses through adolescence to adulthood. Much damage can result from overload of bones or muscles and ambition, whether on the part of child or parent, and should be ruthlessly curbed. It is dangerous to compare one child with another – each will progress at a different rate. Above all, avoid at all costs any following of fashion in style or equipment.

Too many parents go forth to buy equipment before the child is ready for it, with the consequent destruction of what was a promising shooting style. Always be guided by the coach or instructor – if money MUST be spent on equipment by way of Christmas or birthday presents there are plenty of accessories which can usefully precede any expenditure on bow or arrows. Bear in mind that no-one likes to be reminded of how much a parent has spent and of any return that is expected return for it.

Height and physique will govern the length of bow or arrow as well as draw weight in the hand of the bow. The problem is further complicated by variable growth rates necessitating changes of both bow and arrows. It therefore makes sense to keep simple basic equipment which will have a useful resale value (even if the parent is a near millionaire) when growth decrees that a change must be made.

A good shooting form can be established with even the most basic simple fibre-glass bow, but it can be destroyed almost at an instant if the draw weight is even slightly more that the child can cope with while fatigue can be the enemy if the bow is too heavy in the hand. Remember that even a minor competition will require the shooting at least 78 arrows in about two and a half hours and a major event will be an all day affair with one hundred and fifty arrows to be shot.

Training within the club should be directed first and foremost to building up the endurance of the young archer in parallel with establishing a sound shooting style and all this cannot be rushed. Nor should it be – there is plenty of time.

Transport will enter the scene as the young archer develops, first of all to and from the club, then to local matches or tournaments and later perhaps to events further afield.

A parent can be supportive of the young archer without exerting pressure, by being close at hand in case of need while avoiding the oft-repeated scenario of anxiously observing every shot through binoculars with inquests after every end. It always helps if the parent learns how to fletch and straighten arrows and maintain bow and string in good condition so that emergencies on the field ca be dealt with rapidly and without fuss and, at a tournament, will volunteer to score for the young archers on a target a little bit away from that of his child.

Last but by no means least, if the parent becomes and archer, there will be that shared experience which will add to the enjoyment of archery by both parent and child."

"GOOD SHOOTING !"