Equipment

Coaches who obsess over their archers’ equipment will have archers who blame their equipment for their own

shortcomings. Tune it, check it, shoot it and quit messing with it.

Coach Laval D. Falks

Unless the coach is sure that the archer knows how to adjust equipment, the coach should be the one to make

adjustments. As the archer gains experience, the coach should teach the tuning process.”

Coach Larry Wise

Selection

• A coach should always recommend that their students purchase the most appropriate equipment that they can afford

• Sometimes, as in the NASP, the equipment type and set-up is dictated by association rules

• In this case the decision is made for you• The only option is color

• The key is that the archer should have equipment that is

appropriate for the game they are playing

2

Set-Up

• Set the rest and nock locator so that the arrow is slightly “nock high”

• Arrow should be square to the string as you point the bow at the target

3

4

Basic Tuning

• Tuning requires that the archer be capable of making a good release and shooting acceptable groups

• Basic tuning to correct porpoising and fishtailing can be done by the coach for beginners

• Subsequent tuning must be done when the archer has the capability to shoot acceptable groups

Basic Tuning

• If your arrows seem to porpoise (nock end bounces up and down) as they fly toward the target, raise or lower your nock locator slightly until they settle out and fly straight

• If arrows fishtail toward the target try the following until they fly straight– Check the spine (point weight/arrow length/arrow

stiffness)– Move the rest to the right or left on a compound bow– Adjust plunger tension on a recurve bow

5

Group Tuning

• Shoot at the target from 10ft, then 10 yards, 20 yards and 30 yards (even farther if shooting longer ranges)

• Use the same point of aim, or sight setting for all of these shots

• The arrows should trail straight down the target face

These groups were shot from 10, 20, 30, 35 and 45 yds using a 20 yd sight setting

6

• If they trail away to the right– Move the arrow rest slightly to the left for compound shooters

and repeat the procedure– Add plunger tension for recurve shooters– Try a stiffer spine arrow

• If they trail away to the left– Move the arrow rest to the right for compound shooters and

repeat the shots– Decrease plunger tension for recurve shooters– Try a weaker spine arrow

• Repeat this until the arrows fall away in a straight line down the face of the target.

Group Tuning…continued

7

Tuning…continued

If all else fails and you cannot get the arrows to shoot tight groups, (this is

assuming that the archer is capable of shooting consistently enough to create

tight groups), then find a reputable archery shop and have an expert look at

the set-up

8

• There is much information available about tuning both compound and recurve bows

• Coaches should study as much material as possible about tuning different brands and types of bows

• There are equipment tuning study modules available for both compound and recurve bows

• You can never know too much about bow set-up and tuning

9

Tuning…continued

Repair

• Simple repairs are easily made by archers and coaches

• Serving strings, replacing an arrow rest, fletching arrows, installing a sight and replacing nock locators are easy and should be done by the archer or coach

• Complicated repairs are best left to an archery shop or manufacturer

• Some repair work, if done improperly may be dangerous

• Don’t get yourself or your archer hurt by attempting repairs you are not qualified to make

10

Arrows

• The last thing that can affect a score is the arrow• Buy arrows that are appropriate for the archer’s skill level

and budget• A good coach or arrow smith can make inexpensive

arrows fly almost as well as the most expensive comparable shafts

• Use arrows that are appropriate for the archery game being played and vanes that work with them

• Avoid situations where potential sponsorships can lead to using arrows that don’t work well for your archer’s set-up…USE WHAT WORKS BEST!!!

11

Summary

• Buy good equipment from a reputable source• Foster a good relationship with an archery shop• Tune equipment and leave it alone unless it is in

obvious need of work…check the archer first if groups start going wide

• Avoid situations of “equipment envy” where archers think they can buy points with more expensive gear

• A good archer can make inexpensive gear perform great

12