Comments on: Archery lessons for Youth? http://florida-sportsman-hunting.com/archery-lessons-for-youth/ Tue, 22 May 2012 02:39:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: targetbutt http://florida-sportsman-hunting.com/archery-lessons-for-youth/comment-page-1/#comment-21308 targetbutt Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:11:44 +0000 http://florida-sportsman-hunting.com/archery-lessons-for-youth/#comment-21308 Most range I know of will only start kids at 8, 6 is pushing it. I'm a coach, when dealing with 6 year olds, it's hard enough, I can't imagine a 3 year old. Most youth bows made today aren't made for kids that small, there's a new one from Martin, it's ambidextrous and a very short bow. But even then the weight is about 15 pounds, more than most 3 year olds can pull. Hoyt used to make the K-Bow, great little bows, but also the weight is around 15-20 pounds. The worst case scenario, the kid will try it out, won't be able to hit the target and gets frustrated, I've had a situation like that with a 6 year old a few years back. Had the parents waited 2 years, the kid would probably still be shooting now. My suggestion is to wait. Later on when the boy is old enough, take him to an archery range and take a lesson. If you're in the US, some places offer the lesson for free. Alternatively the boy can join a JOAD, short for Junior Olympic Archery Development. JOAD is geared for competition. It has a ranking system and such. Later on, if you do decide to get the boy a private coach, or JOAD also actually, then you need to do your homework. Looking at certification alone doesn't guarantee that you get a good coach. To top it off a good coach for me might be bad for you. Coach and athlete relationship depends a lot on the personalities involved. Some athletes need stern hand while others need a softer approach. A very good coach can accomodate both types, but that is quite rare. Edit to answer it directly 1. No, most manufacturers aim their youth bows at kids aged 8 and above. 2. Most 3 year olds will not have the strength to go to full draw, even on children bows. 3. There are no laws really, at least not in the US. Most range I know of will only start kids at 8, 6 is pushing it. I’m a coach, when dealing with 6 year olds, it’s hard enough, I can’t imagine a 3 year old.

Most youth bows made today aren’t made for kids that small, there’s a new one from Martin, it’s ambidextrous and a very short bow. But even then the weight is about 15 pounds, more than most 3 year olds can pull. Hoyt used to make the K-Bow, great little bows, but also the weight is around 15-20 pounds.

The worst case scenario, the kid will try it out, won’t be able to hit the target and gets frustrated, I’ve had a situation like that with a 6 year old a few years back. Had the parents waited 2 years, the kid would probably still be shooting now.

My suggestion is to wait. Later on when the boy is old enough, take him to an archery range and take a lesson. If you’re in the US, some places offer the lesson for free. Alternatively the boy can join a JOAD, short for Junior Olympic Archery Development. JOAD is geared for competition. It has a ranking system and such.

Later on, if you do decide to get the boy a private coach, or JOAD also actually, then you need to do your homework. Looking at certification alone doesn’t guarantee that you get a good coach. To top it off a good coach for me might be bad for you. Coach and athlete relationship depends a lot on the personalities involved. Some athletes need stern hand while others need a softer approach. A very good coach can accomodate both types, but that is quite rare.

Edit
to answer it directly
1. No, most manufacturers aim their youth bows at kids aged 8 and above.
2. Most 3 year olds will not have the strength to go to full draw, even on children bows.
3. There are no laws really, at least not in the US.

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