Before You Come
Taking on a new sport and learning so much in a small time can be daunting for some, but worry not, our expert coaches will safely guide you through your beginners course.
We strongly advise against purchasing any equipment before or during your course. It’s important here to understand the incorrect equipment can hurt you in the long term, or become dangerous. When you are ready to purchase your own gear, the coach will help you decide the best options for you which includes your draw length, arrow length, poundage on the fingers, and among other things, your preferred style.
To ensure you are ready for your course, we recommend you come appropriately dressed and have read our safety guidance.
Have a look below for what to wear.
- Closed, flat bottomed shoes, perfect for planting your feet on the ground.
- Clothing that isn’t too loose, lest it get caught in the string.
- Hair should be tied back, including beards.
- Jewelry and watches to be removed to avoid snagging from the string.
Safety guidance
The following information will enable you to get shooting arrows as quickly and as safely as possible.
You may need to read it two or three times to make sure that you fully understand all the details.
Upon entering the hall, you MUST sign in.
Put your name on the register and mark BC for beginners course in the box adjacent, where amount paid would normally reside.
In the event of an evacuation, everyone is to exit via the closest exit, and names will be checked against the register.
This is a sport where you will be in charge of what is potentially a lethal weapon. So safety standards are very high, and should be everyone’s priority.
Listen to your coach at all times. They are experienced and trained in taking care of everyone safety.
WHISTLE COMMANDS
One blow of the whistle signals that it is now safe to stand on the line and start shooting.
When you have shot your arrows, stand back from the shooting line.
Three blows of the whistle signals that nobody else is shooting and it is now safe to retrieve
your arrows from the target.
You MUST NOT move forward of the shooting line after a single blast until three blasts has sounded.
RANGE COMMANDS
FAST
If you hear the word FAST (or STOP), you must stop, come down from a draw, remove the arrow from the bow and await further instruction from the Line Marshall.
The FAST command can be called by any archer for a number of reasons. There may be someone forward
of the shooting line, maybe an arrow hanging from the target, which could cause a problem
if another arrow shot at the same target could ricochet or rebound causing possible
injury.
If you see one of these problems, or something you feel is unsafe, it is the responsibility of ALL archers to make things safe.
Don’t be afraid to shout out. We would prefer to hear a false call than risk any injury.
YOU are responsible for your own safety AND the safety of everyone else around you.
COME DOWN
You may hear the coach say Come Down. This means that you should gently reverse your draw to remove any pressure on the string (not by shooting, the arrow will stay on the rest and knocked on the string.)
From this point the coach can give recommendations or assist with technique.
RANGE LAYOUT
It may all sound a little confusing, with whistles, marshals, and lines, but the coaches will be by your side at all times and looking out for your safety.
The range consists of, working from the back, an arrow net to slow down and hopefully stop any arrow that misses a target. The 20yd target line with wooden ‘boss stands’ and foam ‘bosses’, which is the foam that makes the target alongside the target paper. There may be a 15yd target line, and a 10yd target line, where the courses will be carried out. The shooting line, where the arrow holders are placed, is where archers will stand whilst shooting their arrows, caution is to be taken when considering crossing or approaching this line.
The equipment / waiting line is situated behind the shooting line, where bow stands and bows are kept when not in use. Between shots archers are requested to stand away from the shooting line, around the waiting line.
For courtesy, please also remain quiet when shooting is commencing, and when on the shooting line. This may mean shooting alternate shots as to not disturb an adjacent archer at full draw aiming.
Managing expectations
Rocking Up
After reading through the information above, we ask you arrive on time for the start of the session so the coach can begin with you as soon as possible, but please be aware there may be a lot to set up and manage.
You will sign in, and on your first session, be allocated and greeted by a coach, we try to keep you with the same coach throughout the whole course, but sometimes this may be difficult. We will measure you up for a numbered bow, sight, and set of standard arrows and an arm guard. We recommend you take note of these numbers so you can easily select your equipment at a later date. You will then be taken through equipment setup, a warm up, and some basic shooting. And before you know it, the session has begun and you are shooting!
The subsequent sessions, you are to sign in, and for efficiency, we ask you proceed to collect your equipment, and if you recall how, set up the bow and await the coach at the 10yd area.
Session Structure
We follow a curriculum for the beginners course, getting a little more advanced after each session, at a rate best suited to you.
Each session lasts for 2 hours, and how each individual session is structured will vary depending on the coach and busyness, but will all cover the same content and return the same result.
We ask for the 6 sessions of 2 hours each to be attended over 6 consecutive weeks, however, if needed, they can be split up. Please be aware if too long of a break is taken between sessions, they may need to be redone.
A Beginners Shot
If you want to be hitting golds reliably, your in the right place, but it will take some time. The beginners course makes you a safe shooter, to ensure your technique does not damage your body in the long term, and that you do not develop any dangerous or bad habits.
Honing in your shot, becoming more precise and accurate takes time, practice, and patience.
Your grouping will probably not be in the golds by the end of the week, but persistence in practice post-course will get you there, and the coaches will be by your side to assist along the way.