How to Start

I am often asked how one can get into archery.  Whether this is a child wishing to get started or an adult, there are a few considerations that might help guide you on taking up the sport.

1. What kind of shooting do you want to do: Target or Hunting?
2. What kind of bow do you think you'd like to use: Recurve or Compound?
3. How often do you think you'll shoot?
4. Do you think you'll be interested in competition shooting?

Target or Hunting

This one is pretty clear.  Do you want to get into archery so you can hunt or are you primarily interested in shooting at targets?  Naturally, if you're a hunter you can certainly shoot arrows at a target (which you'll almost certainly do to practice), but if you're primarily a target shooter you might have difficulty hunting with a target bow.  So, this topic will guide you to the type of bow you buy.

Recurve or Compound

The two most common styles of bows available are recurve and compound.  At the moment, the only type of bow for shooting at targets that is allowed in the Olympics is the recurve bow, although there are numerous target compound bows available.  Here's a little information about these two different types of bows.

Recurve

Recurve bow parts

A recurve bow is one whose limbs have tips that curve away from the archer when the bow is strung.  Recurve bows can be more traditional, one-piece bows made out of wood or more complex arrangements where the limbs are removable.  In the case of bows with removable limbs, the limbs can be made out of a variety of laminates and the handle (called a riser) to which they attach can be made of wood, laminates, metal, or even high-tech composites (carbon).

Recurve bows require a lot of practice and dedication to achieve proficiency because the archer's form and execution can have a very large amount of impact upon how the arrow flies.  For this reason, recurve bows are a great way to learn proper form and execution.

Compound

Compound bow parts

A compound bow is the type of bow most frequently employed by hunters.  They are characterized by generally a metal or composite handle (riser) with shorter, laminated limbs of high stiffness that yield a very high maximum draw weight.  At the ends of the limbs, there are cams or wheels (that look like pulleys).  In addition to the cams, compound bows employ a system of cables that work in concert with the cams and bowstring.  These cam/cable systems provide a very large mechanical advantage that allows a compound bow to not only store/release a large amount of energy, but they also generally provide a "let-off" or reduction of draw weight at full draw.  For example, a 60-pound compound bow might have 75% let-off, which means that the archer is only holding about 15 pounds at full draw despite the fact that the arrow will be flung at great velocity due to the 60 pound maximum draw weight.  Compound bows are also usually considerably smaller from limbtip to limbtip, making them easier to transport through brush and grass commonly encountered while hunting.

Archers using a compound bow frequently employ a mechanical release aid to release the string and fire the arrow.  A very large variety of mechanical release aids are available, all of which aid the archer in making a smooth release.

While compound bows are most commonly used for hunting, there are target-specific models as well, which commonly have colored paint finishes instead of camouflage and are typically longer from axle-to-axle (limbtip to limbtip).

Advice for Getting Started

For those looking to get into archery, it's usually best to start with a recurve and take some lessons (see below).  An archer who learns proper form using a recurve bow will be able to make the most of the mechanical advantages of a compound bow, should they decide to switch.  Additionally, entry-level recurve bows are less expensive than entry-level compound bows.

Whatever type of bow you decide to go with, it is very important that it is properly sized for the archer and is of appropriate draw weight.  Resist the urge to go with high draw weights for starting out!  Start with lower poundage to learn proper form and move up to higher draw weight when you have mastered your form and developed the proper muscle memory.  For more info, see the Equipment page on this blog.

Take Some Lessons from a Certified Instructor

Once you've decided upon what type of archery you want to do and what type of bow you want to shoot, all that's left is getting the gear and taking some lessons.  Some shops will allow you to rent basic gear while taking beginner lessons.  

Make sure you locate a coach or archery shop that is reputable and specifically ask if they have experience instructing archers in the type of archery you wish to do.  Just because a shop sells bows doesn't mean that they know how to teach archers how to shoot properly.  I recommend you seek out instructors who have received certification through USA Archery, as they will all teach you how to shoot using the same techniques that the USA Olympic Team is taught.  Despite the large technological differences between compound and recurve bows, the basic form fundamentals are virtually identical.