Archery can, at times, be very simple and easy but that does not mean you are doing everything right. With the help of the right archery instructor, you can take your skill to the next level. You can also ensure your form and technique are correct. Finding a good archery instructor can also propose a challenge, as not all instructors may be the right fit. Let’s go over how you can find and choose the right archery instructor to help you achieve your archery goals!

What Is Your Skill Level?

The first thing that you will need to consider is your current skill level. Not all archery instructors teach those at all levels. Some may specialize in helping complete beginners learn the basics of archery. Others may only coach high-level archers to prepare them for big competitions. To find the right archery instructor, think about what category you may fit into (beginner, intermediate, or advanced).

It is important to be honest with yourself at this step. Have you only been shooting for a short amount of time? If so, beginner courses might be a great step to cover the basics. After all, if you don’t know what you are doing to start with, you are only going to get frustrated and potentially hurt yourself or others. If you have been shooting for a few months and understand some basics, then intermediate might be a better fit.

Advanced archers will often seek out an instructor to help them once they realize that they are not getting any better. That could be said for any level as well. If your shooting skill has plateaued and you recognize that you are not getting any better, it might be time to seek out an instructor!

What Are Your Archery Goals?

Not everyone gets into archery for the same reasons. Some do it simply for fun, while others enjoy the exercise and the ability to enjoy the outdoors. Others take it more seriously and are preparing for things such as bowhunting or competing at high levels. Thinking about your personal archery goals will help narrow down your search for the right archery instructor. Again, not all instructors are the same and many will specialize in certain aspects.

Some archery instructors will only train those who are preparing for the Olympics. Others are happy to help beginners who are getting into the sport for fun or exercise. It is important to categorize your own goals and be upfront and honest with potential instructors to ensure a good fit!

Archery Instructor Levels

After you have evaluated your skill level and personal goals, now it is time to start the search for an archery instructor that is a good fit. There are many different types of instructors out there, each a little different from the other. Here’s a quick rundown on some of the various instructor levels to be aware of:

Certified Vs Non-certified Instructors

Archery instructors will all fall into two main categories, certified and non-certified. USA Archery is the organization that serves as the governing body for the Olympic sport of archery. They also certify instructors and coaches. They do this after putting them through a course of their own. This ensures that they are able to properly teach at the level that they are certified. A person does not, however, need to be certified in order to be an archery instructor. You can still definitely learn from an uncertified instructor. This will largely depend on your level and the skill level of the person you are learning from.

But learning from a certified instructor does come with some added benefits. These instructors have to go through a very organized process and course in order to get certified. You can rest assured that they are very knowledgeable and know their stuff. They come with things such as background checks, insurance, and “Safesport” verification. This helps to ensure that you or a loved one that is involved in the training are completely taken care of and safe throughout the entire process. The level of certification can also help you select an instructor that coincides with your needs. The various levels showcase what types of things the instructor is best at teaching.

Again, a person does not need to be certified to be an instructor but certified instructors come with many added benefits. This could make it well worth your time and effort to seek out a certified instructor according to your needs and wants!

Non-certified Instructors

The most common type of non-certified instructors you will see are family or friends that have been in the sport for many years. They will be helping out someone that they know with their knowledge. For example, a father or uncle teaching a kid the basics of archery will most likely not be certified. If you know someone shooting at a level you hope to one day achieve, you might be in luck and can ask them to give you some lessons or coaching.

Certified Instructors

There are various levels of certification that archery instructors can achieve. Every level comes with its own requirements, and this could help you find the right instructor according to your needs and personal goals.

Level 1 Archery Instructor Certification

Instructors with a level 1 certification are trained to be able to teach beginner shooting programs such as the Explore Archery Program. These instructors are able to properly teach all of the basics of archery. They can show you how to use all of the various tools and equipment to start shooting. They can explain to you all about range safety, setup, shooting steps, and how to successfully get your start in archery.

Level 2 Archery Instructor Certification

Those with a level 2 certification are a step above level 1. These instructors go through more detailed training in order to become certified. They can teach everything that a level 1 instructor can. They can also teach more in-depth techniques and about archery events, equipment, accessories, and personal development. They’re certified to teach on both compound and recurve bows. It is recommended that most archery and pro shop owners and workers achieve at least a level 2 archery instructor certification. This is also the certification that I currently have!

Level 3 NTS Coach Certification

Taking the next step up, you have a level 3 NTS coach certification. NTS stands for National Training System. This certification covers everything from both previous levels. It also moves away from group instruction to focus on individual shooting performance. At this level, instructors will be able to teach everything from the previous levels. This also includes coaching philosophy, event preparation, mental skills and techniques, training plans, equipment fine-tuning, and other advanced instruction. This is the certification that both of my parents currently have!

Level 4 NTS Coach Certification

Level 4 NTS Coach certification is designed to help develop archery coaches to be elite-level instructors. These instructors can help high-performing athletes prepare to compete at national and international levels of competition. Of course, they can also teach anything from the previous three levels of certification as well if needed. They also specialize in sports science as it applies to archery, psychology, and biomechanics for competition.

Level 5 NTS Coach Certification

This is one of the highest levels of certification that an instructor can receive. These level 5 NTS coaches will possess the highest amount of knowledge of the national training system. They apply this experience in every aspect of their teaching. These instructors are generally those who help instruct athletes performing at the highest levels. This includes the Olympics. This certification also requires much more training and prerequisites to acquire.

Which Instructor Is Right For You?

As you can now see, there are many different types and levels of archery instructors. This is why finding the right one can sometimes be a little difficult. It is also why it is important to take into account your personal skill level, goals, and what you hope to get out of an instructor. This can help you to better decide between the various decisions. You can choose between certified vs non-certified, levels of certification, etc.

Other aspects may come into play with your decision as well. For example, some instructors may not fit within your allotted budget. For example, if you intend to hire an expert-level instructor that is highly certified, it could cost a lot more. Instead, you can select one that is either non-certified or has a lower level of certification. You may also be limited in your selection of instructors depending on your location. Larger cities often have a broader selection of instructors to choose from, while smaller towns might be more limited.

All of these considerations are important to think about. If you begin to clearly define what you are looking for when it comes to an instructor, your search will begin to become much easier. With all of this in mind, this will start to narrow down the search and hopefully find the perfect archery instructor for you!

Final Thoughts

Archery instructors can be a great way to take your shooting skills to the next level. No matter what your current skill level is, the right instructor can help you to improve in ways you may never have considered.