The funny and poignant adventures of a family of competitive archers.

For archers there are all kinds of "how to" books available in print and on the Internet, but for coaches there is hardly anything. Even the coach training courses focus on what to teach instead of how to teach it. So where should coaches go for ideas as to how to introduce various pieces of archery equipment or new elements of form and execution? There really wasn't anything available, so I wrote this book. Steve Ruis

The beginner, as well as the experienced archer, will find this volume an indispensable aid in developing the ability to hit a designated target, and the archer who desires to hunt will find many valuable tips on the habits of game and methods of hunting with the bow. Technological advances in bow design and improved materials used in its construction, its capabilities, the use for which it is intended, and wide variations in price make it necessary for the novice to use care in the selection of the initial equipment.The novice who reads this book will be guided in acquiring equipment suited to his purpose, and by study of shooting techniques contained herein he will, by strict self-discipline and intelligent practice, acquire good shooting form. Whether on the target range, the field course, or in the hunting field, the ability to shoot well enhances the sport of archery and increases the recreational possibilities for every member of the family.

Complete guide to archery as a sport and a hunting skill.

A completely new way of thinking about traditional archery takes shape in the pages of this book. The emphasis throughout is on the basic principles that govern the design, performance, and use of all forms of traditional bows and arrows. Here are discussed both the practical as well as the technical considerations behind the choices faced by every archer in selecting and using the tools of the sport. The design of the bow-and the arrow-are analyzed in terms of the underlying principles that determine their performance and use. The concept of an ideal bow and an ideal arrow are introduced as useful ways of thinking about the limitations of real bows and arrows. The important parameters of the bow are identified and a straightforward way of measuring them is described. The effect of draw weight on performance is examined with a view to injecting some realism into the perennial question of how much draw weight is enough. A separate chapter is devoted to the problem of distance shooting and another to clearing up the confusion surrounding the topic of arrow penetration. The effects of variations in arrow straightness, spine, and weight are analyzed to answer the question of when better arrows finally become good enough. The techniques of shooting and an in-depth discussion of the causes, and cures, of target panic are presented. And finally a separate chapter is devoted to a primer on the analytical design of bow limbs. This is a book for all serious archers-and bowyers alike-whether their interest is bow hunting, field and target archery, or bow design, and whether they are newcomers to the sport or experienced archers. The chapters on shooting are among the best ever written and alone make the book invaluable. There is something here to enhance the understanding and practice of archery for all who love and shoot traditional bows and arrows. THOMAS GRISSOM has been a lifelong archer. A writer and a physicist, he is the author of several works of fiction and non-fiction, including four collections of poems also published by Sunstone Press.

This book was originally published by my dad, Albert J. Love, M.D. in 1956. It has been said by many that it is the gold standard in the field of archery and serves as a solid primer in this timeless sport. It will appeal to both those who are accomplished archers as well as to beginners. Field Archery Technique will teach the enthusiast the classic, time-tested methods to improving his/her marksmanship and overall enjoyment of the sport. There is special emphasis placed on technique and trouble-shooting.

Archery technique and training tools geared to help you avoid problems and improve your score.

Whether it's out fishing, in the woods, at the range or even in the backyard, the sport of archery in all its forms can be fun and rewarding for all ages. In this day of mass production, the draw of being able to make something with your hands is greater than ever.
PVC plumbing pipe, with its unique blend of qualities, offers both the experienced and beginner archer an opportunity to build their own dependable bows without any previous experience.
Simple PVC Pipe Bows shows you how build a solidly performing bow with little in the way of equipment, work space, time and material cost, whether it's one or hundreds.
Youth Recurve:
A small and light bow at home in the backyard as well as on the range. It's perfect for women and teen archers with its shorter draw and compact size.
While geared for young archers, this bow can hold its own as a short pack bow or training bow for an archer of any age.
Horse Bow:
This reflexed bow reminiscent of the short bow of the nomads of Central Asia and Eastern Europe is ideal for learning the art of mounted archery.
With a smooth draw and compact size, this bow is a sweet shooter on foot as well.
Snakey Recurve:
Designed after wooden bows which work with the natural contours of gnarled wood, the snakey recurve is an ideal bow for the hunter or fisherman looking to craft his own equipment.
Its serpentine curve brings the string in line with the center and tilts the handle making for a bow that is more accurate and comfortable to shoot.

The Archery Education Resources Archery Curriculum allows archers to choose from one of three tracks: Olympic, Compound, or Traditional Archery. The Coaches Guide provides the curriculum, materials, and instruction for the AER Certified Program.

Archery is almost as old as mankind itself, manifesting in almost every culture and on almost every continent. It is in many ways our link to the past and the stepping stone into another age. It is one of the few ancient pastimes that are still relevant today. Yet nowadays, getting into the ancient sport of archery can be daunting for the average person with no experience or previous exposure to the subject. For many, the hefty price tags on modern bows or the seemingly impossible task of building a bow can be a surefire deterrent. Many do not want to pay the price of a decent bow to try their hand at the bow and arrow, simply to see if they enjoy it or not. If only there was a way to make a bow good enough for a beginner without expending or gambling an immense amount of time or money on it.

What if you were told that there was such a bow? That hidden in the ground, in the heart of buildings, on the shelves of most hardware stores, and perhaps even in your home, there was a material that made it all possible? Would you believe it? Well it is true, and that material is PVC pipe, the white or gray plastic pipe that can be found virtually everywhere. It is possible with only a minimal investment and an hour of labor to make a fine bow for target archery that performs just as well as bows worth more than ten times as much. A bow that, if given a little more time and effort, can be made into an efficient hunting tool or serious target shooter.

The Impossible Bow shows you how to construct your own PVC pipe bow, with bows ranging from the incredibly simple to the incredibly complex. Learn to build simple bows that require a minimum of tools and little time, more complex bows that can be modified to fit the target archer as well as the experienced hunter looking for more of a challenge, and finally a bow that accurately replicates the weapons of war of the steppe nomads. The best part is that even the most complex bow should cost no more than 10 dollars and be completed in a day, yet can hold up to the rigors of daily use.

Don't let anything hold you back from enjoying one of man's oldest and most noble of sports. Join the backyard archery revolution with your very own bow that will defy everything you know and will baffle anyone who sees it. Join me in building an impossible bow.
Author's Notes:

The bows in this book are great for kids of all ages, from the young to the young at heart. Because of the ability of these bows to mimic many historical bow designs, this book is great for re-enactment archery as well as for the target archer. If made well, one design in particular works well for hunting, and can be modified to work just as well as many primitive hunting bows. This book covers how to make the generic PVC pipe bow that has been the mainstay of do-it-yourself archery for some time now, as well as a couple designs which bring out the hidden performance of PVC as a bow material.

These bows also work well for survival situations and can be made small and can be kept virtually anywhere out of the sun. In the trunk of a car, in a boat, in a hunting cabin, your basement, your attic, the list goes on and on. This book goes over how to make smooth shooting bows from 30 to 70 pounds of pull that can perform well if taken care of. While they aren't top performing bows, they can certainly be used for hunting, fishing, and target archery.