Archery Equipment; Price vs. Performance
Read MoreExcellent Shooting Technique
We live in great times. With information technology and the use of the internet you can learn and see things you normally would not have access to. To an autodidact the internet is a great tool for developing a skill or solving problems.
Some of us learn to do things by emulating others. I learned how to play tennis, basketball and football by emulating others I saw in person or on television. Below are some videos of archers I feel have excellent technique. .
All the archers below have one thing in common. They are very consistent with their technique. All the archers below have excellent posture and focus. Because they have refined their technique over time they are extremely efficient when it come to executing their shots. Using the most basic concepts to develop ones form will often yield a shot that is efficient, consistent and beautiful to watch.
Mathias Fullerton is a great new young archer. He recently won the 2024 Vegas shoot. I really like his classic archery form His posture is very stable and his follow through is excellent. He is shooting a thumb trigger but notice how relaxed his hand is when engaging the release to break the shot. He does not punch. He is pulling through the shot and this is what is giving him the solid follow through he has.
The Road To Competitive Archery
I am often asked about how to get started in competitive archery. I first want to start out by giving some insight as to why you would want to start shooting archery tournaments. There are different motivations for wanting to compete. For some it is the challenge and excitement of competition. For others it is about learning to get better and being curious. I fall into the later group; I am not a very competitive person for the most part, I am more interested in learning how to do something usually for aesthetic artistic reasons. I think shooting tournaments has something to offer everyone. One of the most important is the social aspect. You’ll meet some of the best human beings and in some cases develop a special bond with them and the sport. When I was travailing around the country shooting tournaments I have developed a special extended archery family. I’ve met archers from all over the world and we all share the same passion. This passion of shooting arrows at targets is a source of human connection and joy The archery tournament environment for the most part is a positive one. This positive environment is what creates the connection we have with the sport and the people we shoot with. So I encourage everyone to give tournament archery a try.
I am going to give you resources and insight on how to get started shooting archery tournaments. We have 4 major sanctioning bodies for competitive field and target archery in the United States: Most of the organizations offer annual memberships. I recommend you join either USA Archery or the NFAA. Things are starting to get complicated with memberships so you need to do some research to see which membership works best. In the past the NFAA and USA Archery honored each other’s memberships. When you sign up for a tournament they will specify membership requirements. Tournaments like the Vegas Shoot or the National Marked 3D tournament don’t require a membership to participate and be eligible for awards. So read the registration forms carefully before signing up. If you are going to spend time effort shooting USA Archery tournaments (JOAD) it would be best to get a USA Archery membership. I personally have a NFAA membership as I enjoy shooting NFAA events like the Vegas Shoot and the Marked 3D National Championships. Below is links to the 4 major bodies for tournament archery in the United States. The IBO and ASA focus on 3D archery.
USA Archery is tied to World Archery or IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the NFAA is tied to IFAA (International Field Archery Association).
Don’t be too confused with all the organizations. Depending on your interest one will fit your needs or interest. I’ve shot both NFAA and USA Archery tournaments. I’ve shot some marked and unmarked 3D events as well. It is all tons of fun. I encourage everyone to become true students of the archery game and learn all aspects of the sport. Knowledge is power!
Youth Archery Programs
Many parents ask me how to get started in tournament archery and I often point them to the Junior Olympic Archery Develop program or J.O.A.D. for short . This program is run by USA Archery. Here is a link to more information about JOAD. Click Here
NASP or The National Archery In Schools Program is another youth grass roots program. This program is limited to schools that have the program. The program is limited in the choices in equipment and also the types of tournaments offered. Click Here for more information.
Ranking and National Teams
For those of you who are already shooting and want to get more into shooting more tournaments I will try to explain the tournament structure and the ranking system. If you are a parent and want to get more experience under your belt you’ll want to start by shooting SAC (State Archers Of California) tournaments. Here is link to their website: Click Here SAC is primarily a target archery organization. Target archery is what you see in the Olympics or indoor events like the Vegas Shoot. You’ll be shooting at fixed known yardages with a shot timer to keep the tournament moving along.
Both SAC and USA Archery have a points or ranking system. The points are based on tournament placing. . The rules and regulations will be the same for both organizations. The difference is national level versus state level competitions. When shooting for a national ranking you are shooting to try and make the national team or United States Archery Team or USAT for short. So whenever you see a tournament listed as a USAT tournament this means you will be shooting for USAT or JOAD points.. JOAD has 3 to 5 member teams based on gender and the type of bow you shoot. Team members are offered support from the USOC/USA Archery and the opportunity to represent the United States in international competitions. I would recommend with focusing on shooting SAC archery tournaments in the beginning. There are basically 3 events and they are all in California. Because all events are in California it’s a bit more cost effective when it come to money, time and travel. Here is more information on the SAC ranking system click here.
If your are interested in shooting national level events or USAT (Untied States Archery Team) Tournaments for a national ranking and a chance to be a national archery team member click here here for more information. Here is a link to detailed information the USAT system for Under 18 and Under 21 archers; click here.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions about getting started shooting tournaments.
How Many Arrows?
I am often asked the question; “What Does It Take To Become Good At Archery” . There are many aspects to becoming proficient at something. One of the common themes is time and dedications. Archery is no different. In order to shoot arrows well at a target it will require ……. wait for it ….. shooting 1,000’s of arrows at targets. Sometimes you are just shooing at a blank bail with no scoring target face. Even shooting at a bail with no target face is still shooting arrows and in many cases more important than shooting at a real target. I believe shooting with the intent to improve your technique is key. Most top archers know this. The reason to shoot so many arrows on a regular basis is two fold.
Refining Your Technique
Increase Or Maintain Your Strength & Stamina
I think the key is to train and practice consistently not for days or months but years and decades. Below is a You Tube clip I found interesting on the topic of arrow count. All the archers seem to be aware of their commitment to shooting arrows on a regular basis. I am sure for most of them it is a big part of their training. Enjoy the video clip and remember “Don’t let unrealistic expectations get in the way of your enjoyment of archery” quote from Coach. Kim Hyun Tak.
2023 CBH / SAA State Indoor Tournament
I would like to thank everyone who attended this years event. Your participation in grass roots types of events like the CBH state indoor is important for the CBH and the NFAA. As long we continue to support archery tournaments our state, local, national and international governing bodies will continue to support the wonderful sport of target archery.
If you would like to down load any of the pictures click here: download pictures
Park Sung-Hyun
Park Sung-Hyun is one my favorite archers. She has done what no one has come close to doing as far as her success in the Olympic games and her untouchable world record score of 1405! She is unbelievable! I remember watching her during 2004 Olympic games. She always seems to be so calm and serine when she shoots. Watching her execute her shots is a form of therapy for me.
This is the first personal interview I have seen of Park Sung-Hyun. I enjoyed it very much I hope you find some inspiration and insight to help you with your archery journey from this interview. Many of the themes she touches on in the interview are common themes among many of the top archers over the decades. It is not so much about talent or equipment but your ability to focus, be realistic, and put in the work. I think the most important component is to enjoy shooting arrows.
Words of wisdom shared
Korean Archery Philosophy ....... There Ain't No Magic Involved
Here is a Youtube video on the South Korean competitive archery system. This system has produced some the finest archers in the world for decades. Going to workshops and seminars hosted by Coach Kim Hyung-Tak and Coach Kisik Lee I have had the great fortune to gain some insight on the importance of archery foundation skill sets. I consider these magnificent athletes and coaches artists of the highest order. I am always mesmerized watching their outstanding technique and mental focus.
QAD Drop Away Arrow Rest Install
Video on how to install a QAD drop away rest