Archery Has Been Around

As best as can be determined by all the most excellent archeological findings, archery has been around for 10,000 to 12,000 years.  Archery is not new!  Although there has been a resurgence in the popularity of archery, which experienced quite a decline mainly thought due to the invention of guns, archery is as sophisticated and complicated as ever.  With all sorts of technology available today, what was once a simple do-it-yourself form of hunting and survival, has evolved into an involved and sophisticated sport.  Archery is even in the Olympics.

Learning Archery

I will tell you straight out that I think learning archery can be difficult.  Whether you're going for archery as a sport with targets or using archery as a means of hunting game, there's a lot involved.  I'd have to say that learning to play basketball is simpler and more cost effective than learning archery.  Learning to shoot a gun is more readily and easily learned, as much because of the availability of good instruction in a variety of settings, is not as challenging, I think, as archery.

So, my first tip to get started in archery is this:  Find excellent instruction. I know this sounds simple.  But simple doesn't mean it is most practiced.  With archery, a lot is involved in safely and effectively shooting.  And you've got to learn a lot of different steps to put the whole together with archery.  It's not like you can learn one or two things, practice those one or two things until you're proficient, and then add a new thing in archery.  It just doesn't work like that.  The initial learning curve with archery is steep, steep, steep!  So find a good beginning archery program and enroll in that so that you learn the basics of archery correctly right off the bat.  It's far better to learn the right way rather than having to unlearn and relearn down the road.  This is particularly true with archery.

Archery Equipment

My second archery getting started tip is probably counter to other things you'll read.  Here it is:  Do NOT go out and buy your archery equipment and gear until AFTER you have completed some initial instruction and training. Many good archery training schools and courses will provide you with all of the equipment you need in the early stages.  Go that route.  Look for archery instruction that does this.

I've seen a few times where someone thought they really wanted to learn archery only to find out that as they got into it, they really did not like it at all.  This can be especially so if you're working with your own children.  Plus, as you get into archery, your instructors will be able to guide you along the lines of what might be some of the better equipment for what you're interested in.

When it does come time to purchase your equipment for yourself, do some research.  It's easy enough nowadays online.  Just remember to purchase from a reputable seller and make sure you know the return and exchange policies before placing your archery equipment order.

Don't forget to ask your instructor for a good resource (book) that they recommend for you to continue learning about archery.

Another archery tip for beginners is to relax. Accept that you're just getting started.  You are not expected to begin archery at a mastery level of accomplishment.  I've found that if you relax and choose to have fun learning, you're likely to become a lot more proficient faster than if you're beating yourself up to perform at a stellar level right out of the gate.

Hopefully, you'll listen and learn from these three tips.  Now, enjoy this fun video I pulled from YouTube about archery.

Archery for Beginners : Safety Tips for Beginning Archery Students

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, has an extensive article that you can read online by clicking the link here on ARCHERY if you want to learn more.