The Benefits of Youth Archery

Youth archery teaches a variety of skills that are beneficial in many areas of life.

Archery is a sport everyone can do

Even at an early age, children can learn the basics of archery and build their skills throughout their lifetime. Sometimes people don’t always think of archery as a sport, but rather a hobby. However, the number of schools introducing archery programs into their curriculum or after-school offerings is steadily on the rise. As educators and parents are realizing the benefits of archery it is becoming more and more popular. We couldn’t be happier about that.

Archery is also adaptable for those with disabilities, known as para-archers. Para-archers shoot from a stool or wheelchair. Some even use their teeth or feet to draw their bow.

A Year-Round Sport

Another great thing about archery is that it is a year-round sport and can be taught indoors and outdoors using several different methods and types of targets.

Outdoor archery includes:

• target archery (as seen at the Olympic and Paralympic Games)
• field archery (usually a wooded course)
• 3D archery (uses foam animal targets)

Typically, indoor archery concentrates on target archery and form.

Youth Archery is a very safe sport

“But wait!” you might say. “Do you really think it is wise to hand a bunch of fourth graders weapons?”

It is an important thing to consider, but also, consider this:

According to the Archery Trade Association, archery is safer than every school-offered ball sport, except bowling and table tennis.

As a non-contact sport, you don’t have to worry about the players physically hurting each other. Plus, there are so many safety rules that are taught before a young archer even gets to handle a bow and arrow. If they don’t comply, they are out. It’s that simple.

The Health Benefits of Youth Archery

There are a surprising number of health benefits to archery, many you may not have even considered. These benefits contribute to improving their skills on the range, in the woods, and in real life.

Focus

Learning to concentrate and block out distractions improves focus. The step-by-step process it takes to put an arrow in a bullseye teaches kids to slow down and execute a multi-step task.

Strength

Did you know that drawing 40 arrows at 25 pounds each equals 1,000 pounds of weight? A proper draw strengthens your arms, core, hands, chest, and shoulders.

Exercise

We all know the benefits of walking and generally moving. Archery gets kids moving and outdoors to soak up all that great Vitamin D. An archer can walk up to 5 miles during a tournament.

Coordination

Coordination and concentration work together to produce focus. The coordination of a multi-step task, executed in the proper succession and done repetitively creates a predictable outcome: hitting your target. After a period of time and practice, muscle memory enters the equation and you have become a sharpshooter!

Confidence

Building a child’s confidence level in a particular area has a long-lasting effect on self-esteem and success in the future. Teaching a child lifelong skills that he or she can continue using and improving is essential to a happy life. Imagine your child’s face when he or she hits the bullseye for the first time. Yeah, that!

Managing Stress

Healthy competition teaches children (and adults) to manage stress. How to properly conduct yourself under pressure and exhibiting good sportsmanship are all part of team building. But the act of archery itself can be a stress reliever. Physical exertion works to alleviate stress, but so does concentration and successful execution. Just the sound of the arrow leaving your hand and thwacking the target is music to any archer’s ears.

Is there a kid in your life who might enjoy archery?

Grab and a bow and arrow and head out onto the range. We guarantee you will both learn something and come back smiling.