About
I am a USAA Level 4 coach, and have been a certified archery instructor and competitive coach since 2002, and have taught over 16,000 people how to use a bow. I've taught students of all ages from 3 to 86, including blind and physically disabled students. I have written about archery for various websites and consulted for television, movies, and comic book artists.
My specialty is beginning-to-intermediate archers. I have run classes and programs for young archers ages 8 to 18, and am currently a coach for the USC Trojan Archery team.
I enjoy watching students develop confidence and strength as their skills improve. People who see themselves as uncoordinated or clumsy or bad at sports often discover that they can excel at archery, usually fairly quickly, and it completely changes their perception of themselves. Watching somebody transform into Robin Hood or Katniss in front of my eyes almost feels like a magic trick, and it's one I never get tired of seeing.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, find out what experience the student has, if any, and what archery style interests them.
Next, discuss the student's goals and what they want out of the sport; a recreational shooter is going to have a different training process than an Olympic hopeful.
Actual training begins with a review of safety practices, rules and etiquette.
For beginners, we work through the basic archery shot cycle. For intermediate to advanced, I have them shoot and assess their form and see what needs work and plan the lessons from there.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I began teaching archery in 2002, and currently hold a Level 3 NTS Coaching certification from the USA Archery Association.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My standard price is $45 per hour for a private one-on-one lesson, $70 for two students, $90 for three. I do not take groups of more than three for private lessons.
How did you get started teaching?
I took up archery with my then-teenage daughter, and a few years later, when my son was in Boy Scouts, I volunteered as a Merit Badge Counselor for his troop.
What types of students have you worked with?
My youngest student was 3 years old, my oldest was 86. I have worked with boys and girls, men and women, transgender, and people with a variety of physical limitations, including blind, wheelchair users, and amputees using a mouth release. I believe literally anyone can participate in archery, and I do my best to make sure of it.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Taking about a dozen young archers (ages 9-16) to a tournament and seeing some of them win medals in their first real competition.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Hire someone with a USAA Certification, ideally someone who knows NTS (National Training System). Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of finding someone whose personality and coaching methods are comfortable and positive for you.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
How much time do you have to practice between lessons?
What do you hope to achieve in archery?