Do I have to undertake a beginners course?
If you've shot before in at least a semi-regular capacity (e.g. not just for an hour whilst on holiday) then there'll be a chance to come and shoot before the beginners course. You'll be joined on the shooting line for your first end by a coach who will carry out a quick assessment of your abilities.
If you clearly know what you're doing (and don't worry, we're not looking at what scores you hit!) then you won't need to take part in the beginners course.
However, if the coach feels you need to undertake part or all of a beginners course to refresh, then you'll be expected to do so before we allow you to shoot without constant coaching.
If you've not notably shot before, then you'll be required to undertake a full beginners course.
If you clearly know what you're doing (and don't worry, we're not looking at what scores you hit!) then you won't need to take part in the beginners course.
However, if the coach feels you need to undertake part or all of a beginners course to refresh, then you'll be expected to do so before we allow you to shoot without constant coaching.
If you've not notably shot before, then you'll be required to undertake a full beginners course.
When are beginners courses run?
Our primary beginner's courses are run in early October following the University's Freshers Fair
We also run a secondary beginner's course shortly after the winter break in December/January.
For all courses, archers will be assigned a set slot that you'll be asked to attend each week (meaning you'll undertake 1 session per week whilst completing the course). Baring extenuating circumstances, you may not be able to swap between sessions due to limited spaces on courses, but do contact us if you require a switch.
We also run a secondary beginner's course shortly after the winter break in December/January.
For all courses, archers will be assigned a set slot that you'll be asked to attend each week (meaning you'll undertake 1 session per week whilst completing the course). Baring extenuating circumstances, you may not be able to swap between sessions due to limited spaces on courses, but do contact us if you require a switch.
Who are the beginner's courses for?
Primarily they're designed for those who have never shot before; and are designed to take you from not know anything about archers, to being safe to shoot without 1-on-1 coaching. However, any new archer who has previous experience of shooting will be watched the first time and we may suggest (or request) going on part or all of the beginners course as a refresher.
How much do the courses cost?
The beginners course for the 2019/20 year will cost £12. For the duration of the beginners course regular session fees will be waved and completion of the course will allow you to shoot with us and at many other archery clubs.
To take the beginners course all archers must have club membership (including having a sports pass for any sessions not within the University's grace period). Please see Membership for more info.
To take the beginners course all archers must have club membership (including having a sports pass for any sessions not within the University's grace period). Please see Membership for more info.
How long does each session last and how many sessions are there?
There will be two beginner's course sessions held at the beginning of this academic year per week. One held on Wednesday (20:00 - 22:30) evenings and the other on Sunday mornings (08:00 - 11:00). The starting dates of the courses will be the 9rd October and the 13th October respectively. Each course will be 5 weeks in length.
What do the courses entail?
During your first session you'll start by having the key safety points explained, before learning about the main pieces of kit. We'll then kit you out and show you how to put up and take down bows, etc. You'll then spend some time on the range in small groups where you'll take it in turn getting some 1-on-1 coaching. Your coach will take you through step by step, building up your technique and understanding of archery.
On subsequent sessions, the theory before you get shooting will get shorter as you grow in confidence about how to equip yourself, etc. Additionally, your coach will start to let you shoot more independently, and give you feedback every few ends (an end is a specific number of arrows you shoot before you need to collect your arrows [when safe to do so]). By the final session you'll be shooting on your own on the line with your coach keeping an eye on you from a small distance, to make sure you're ready to shoot without constant coaching after the beginners course is completed.
The first session is typically quite a slow affair as there's a lot of information to be exchanged and a lot for you to take on board (pretty much everything will be new to you!). As such, the number of arrows you shoot in that session won't be reflective of how much shooting you'll get done as things progress. As the sessions progress, and your coach starts letting you shoot more arrows between feedback, you'll find everything speeds up and you get more arrows down range. After the beginners course you'll be shooting 2 at a time (per target) and so you'll start to get a true reflection of how much shooting you can get done in a typical session (although even this will vary depending on how many are in attendance for each session).
If, at any point, you want something explained again (or you simply want more details on something) please don't hesitate to ask a coach; they'll be more than happy to go through it with you.
The beginner's course plan for the 2018/19 year is below:
*The plan for the 2019/20 year will appear here shortly*
On subsequent sessions, the theory before you get shooting will get shorter as you grow in confidence about how to equip yourself, etc. Additionally, your coach will start to let you shoot more independently, and give you feedback every few ends (an end is a specific number of arrows you shoot before you need to collect your arrows [when safe to do so]). By the final session you'll be shooting on your own on the line with your coach keeping an eye on you from a small distance, to make sure you're ready to shoot without constant coaching after the beginners course is completed.
The first session is typically quite a slow affair as there's a lot of information to be exchanged and a lot for you to take on board (pretty much everything will be new to you!). As such, the number of arrows you shoot in that session won't be reflective of how much shooting you'll get done as things progress. As the sessions progress, and your coach starts letting you shoot more arrows between feedback, you'll find everything speeds up and you get more arrows down range. After the beginners course you'll be shooting 2 at a time (per target) and so you'll start to get a true reflection of how much shooting you can get done in a typical session (although even this will vary depending on how many are in attendance for each session).
If, at any point, you want something explained again (or you simply want more details on something) please don't hesitate to ask a coach; they'll be more than happy to go through it with you.
The beginner's course plan for the 2018/19 year is below:
*The plan for the 2019/20 year will appear here shortly*
|
