How to start an archery club.

1. Decide what kind of club you are

The program you join shapes your training, equipment and tournaments.

• A school team: schools usually join the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) through their state's NASP coordinator, often at the state wildlife agency. Staff complete NASP's Basic Archery Instructor training.
• A community youth club: USA Archery's Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) program gives clubs a structure for youth target archery and achievement awards.
• A 3D team: Scholastic 3D Archery (S3DA) runs youth 3D, target and other events in many states.
• A 4-H club: 4-H shooting sports run through your county extension office, with certified leaders.

Many clubs do more than one. A school NASP team and a weekend community club can share coaches and families.

2. Find a place to shoot

School gyms with a proper backstop net work for indoor target archery. Outdoor ranges, parks and archery shops with lanes are other options. Before you commit, ask the venue what insurance it requires, when you can use it, and where equipment can be stored.

3. Train your coaches

Use the training your program requires (NASP, 4-H or USA Archery instructor courses). Plan for at least one trained adult on the line every session, plus helpers for check-in, equipment and parents' questions.

4. Get insurance in writing

Ask your venue what it requires, then talk with your school, your 4-H program or USA Archery about club coverage. Have it in place before the first practice. A waiver helps, but it isn't insurance.

5. Gather equipment

Start with what your program specifies: bows, arrows, targets, a backstop, armguards and quivers. School programs follow NASP's equipment standard. Budget for replacement arrows and target faces every season.

6. Set fees and a budget

Add up range time, equipment, targets, insurance, tournament fees and shirts, then set a season fee that covers it with a small cushion. See how to set and track team fees and download our free fee tracker.

7. Get the paperwork right

For every archer you need registration details, a parent's contact information, emergency contacts, any medical notes, and a signed waiver. Start with our free archery waiver template.

8. Line up volunteers

A treasurer, someone for equipment, a communications person, and parents who help at practices and tournaments. Give each job a short written description so it survives when families move on.

9. Plan your first season

Set a weekly practice schedule, then pick a first tournament to work toward, or host your own. Our tournament checklist covers the eight weeks before, and you can host it free on Archers Track.

Questions