Beginners Courses Bowsights?

[johnnyb]

Just a quick one, we are due to run another beginners course soon and I am interested in opinions as to whether we should fit the bows with sights from early on - say week 2 - or not? Up until now we haven't given beginners a sight, believing that they will concentrate too much on trying to aim to the detriment of any 'form' we may be able to impart. What does the team think? TIA.

[TJ Mason]

We usually wait till week 3 before fitting sights, so the beginners aren't distracted by having to use a sight when there are so many other things they're having to learn at the same time. Works for us. This is a surprisingly controversial area, though - there have been some brutal flame wars on the board in the past about when to introduce sights.

[Ski]

We at Pendle & Samlesbury, add sights on the second lesson.

With or without sights, all beginners will consistently try for Gold. It is up to us as coaches to remind them to start off with the right stance, how to draw and reference. Some clubs don't use targets for a few weeks and just use target pins to aim at. To me, you might as well give them the Gold to go for.

There is a beginner's course guide available via GNAS, the book is quite thorough and an excellent resource and all beginners should have a copy.

Ski.

[geoffretired]

I don't fit sights to the bows at first. My thinking is a bit like yours; I don't want them fussing with it when there are other aspects to focus attention on, like drawing as far as the face.
Depending on how they hold the string, three under or not, will determine how they "Direct" the arrows so they don't hit the floor or overhead lights!!
If they stand on the shooting line with their bow arm out level,they can note where their hand appears in relation to the boss; usually well below, near the leg etc. The hand in roughly the same place, when shooting, will give a hit if things go well. Missing the boss can be a real put off for some and best avoided, I feel.

[grimsby archer]

Originally Posted by Ski

There is a beginner's course guide available via GNAS, the book is quite thorough and an excellent resource and all beginners should have a copy.

Ski.

This is the first I have heard of this resource. Is it downloadable from the gnas website?

[Ski]

Originally Posted by grimsby archer

This is the first I have heard of this resource. Is it downloadable from the gnas website?

I think you have to buy the CD for around £5:00. You can then print off as many copies as you require for your club.

Ski.

[Ski]

Originally Posted by Ski

I think you have to buy the CD for around £5:00. You can then print off as many copies as you require for your club.

Ski.

Just e-mailed the GNAS to get the facts.

Ski.

[John (OSF)]

Some beginners don't wish to use sights, I just tell them that it's a requirement of the course that they are aware 'how' to use them, but after that never force the issue.

We fit sights week 3 (or 2 if some have shot before)

[grimsby archer]

Originally Posted by Ski

I think you have to buy the CD for around £5:00. You can then print off as many copies as you require for your club.
.

That follows

Originally Posted by Ski

Just e-mailed the GNAS to get the facts.

Ski.

I shan't hold my breath. Thanks anyway

[FlourPower]

Originally Posted by John (OSF)

Some beginners don't wish to use sights, I just tell them that it's a requirement of the course that they are aware 'how' to use them, but after that never force the issue.

We fit sights week 3 (or 2 if some have shot before)

We have beginners who don't wish to use sights. We let them know it's a good thing to at least have basic knowledge of their workings but don’t push the issue past that. If they want to shoot barebow then go them! It’s when they try 3 arrows with a sight after 3 or 4 weeks of barebow and wont continue because they don’t hit anything it’s worth forcing the issue.