Archery is a “doing” sport. You only get better by doing it and its impossible to get better simply by watching youtube or reading about it. That said personal coaching can be expensive and getting a framework in which to structure your practice and motivation can be difficult if you have no experience in a non-team sport. That’s where books come in. A good archery book can give structure to your practice, tips, mental guidance, physical conditioning exercises and even ‘tricks’ to fool you into shooting better. More books will be added (as I buy them).
So without faffing around … Let’s take a look at a few tomes of wisdom:
Beginner
Archery (steps to success) Heywood and Lewis approx £11
Archery Fundamentals Douglas Engh 2nd hand
Intermediate
Archery USA Archery approx £13
Why You Suck at Archery Steve Ruis approx £9
The Archery Drill Book Ruis and Gerard approx £15
Advanced
The Competitive Archer Simon Needham approx £20
Total Archery Ki Sik Lee approx £35-£50
Traditional
Beginners Guide to Trad Archery Brian Sorrells 2nd hand
Shooting The English Longbow Pip Bickerstaffe varies wildly
Prices may vary from that noted above depending on offers, being second hand or even remaindered stock being cleared.
Free Guides, PDFs and Assorted Musings of Archers
a collection of pdf’s that you might find interesting or useful. All free and all very useful in building knowledge of archery where almost nothing seems logical at times.
Reference Guide for Recurve Archers … fantastic (if slightly dated) reference.
The Nuts and Bolts of Archery … reference guide for tuning a compound
Compound Bow Setup … comprehensive aussie guide for setting up wheeliebows
Specific Physical Training … Ki Sik Lee’s recommended archery torture .. err .. exercises
Exercises for Archery … by personal trainer and archer Tim Goodwin
Archery Warm Up … warming up for archery by Tim Goodwin
Easton Arrow Tuning and Maintenance Guide … title says it all
How to Tie a Floss Nocking Point … Clue is in the title
Archery GB Rules of Shooting … Every UK archer needs a copy somewhere
WA Field Archery Guidelines … How to shoot a field course
World Archery Level 1 Coaching Manual … Entry level coaching manual
World Archery Level 2 Coaching Manual … A FANTASTIC resource for EVERYONE!
World Archery Judges Guide Book … Why judges are the way they are!
World Archery Judges Aids … Why you wont get that linecutter ….. EVER!
Your First Tournament … Outstanding guide to your first competition (Assheton Bowmen)