Junior Olympic Archery Development & Adult Archery Program (JOAD / AAP)

Junior Olympic Archery Development and Adult Archery Program

The San Francisco Archers (SFA) utilizes a USA Archery-sanctioned training program known as the National Training System (NTS) which provides structured training for anyone interested in learning archery. The program is divided into two categories based on age:

  • 8 to 20 yrs old – Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD)
  • 21 yrs & older – Adult Archery Program (AAP)

These programs give archers access to US Archery certified NTS instructors and coaches (Level I, II, and III). We tailor our instruction to match the skills of every archer. Our goal is to instruct archery with structure, focus and positive approach.

Space is limited. All interested applicants must meet with the coaching staff prior to entering our program.  This allows us to accurately assess each archer and identify how to build their skills.  

JOAD Program

The Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) is a program organized by USA Archery which teaches archery to young people over a series of classes, provides great opportunities for awarding achievement, and helps archers to enjoy the sport recreationally or progress to the excitement of competition!

  • The JOAD program is for youth from ages 8 to 20 years old.
  • We offer archers the opportunity to learn range safety and proper shooting techniques in an environment that also fosters focus, increased self-confidence, and team-building skills.
  • Introductory JOAD classes teach the fundamentals of proper shooting form, and as the young archers develop, they learn more advanced techniques.
  • Students under this program have the opportunity to earn official achievement awards during class scoring sessions. The award system is straightforward and universal to all JOAD clubs. The first scoring goals are set, so beginners can easily attain them. As the skill level increases, the awards become more challenging to achieve.

AAP Program

The Adult Archery Program (AAP) is designed for archers 21 years and over. In this series of classes, archers learn to improve their shooting technique. Whether the archer’s goals are purely recreational, competitive or to develop skills, AAP is designed to help archers to become the best archers they can be.   They learn to shoot more accurately, discover camaraderie in the archery community and have fun while doing it.

HOW TO JOIN THE PROGRAM

START HERE:

Registration Inquiry Form

Instruction Details

  • We offer two classes
  • Level 1 – Beginning Instruction
  • Level 2 -Intermediate / Advanced

Questions, contact: joad@sfarchers.org

Level 1 – Beginning Instruction

For beginning students, we teach basic archery skills and safety. In this level, students learn archery etiquette, the principles in the shooting sequence and archery scoring. The skills learned in this class are the ones practiced by all archers regardless of skill level or type of equipment.  (Shooting compound bows are not taught at this level. All students shoot recurve bows.)

For first-time archers, we provide archery equipment for use in the class, which includes recurve bows, arrows, arm guards, and finger releases for traditional archery (glove/tab). Fees include instruction and equipment usage.  It is recommended, but not required, the student attend one or more SFA Outreach Events prior to entering this class.

Level 2 – Intermediate / Advanced

In order to enter the Intermediate/Advanced Level of archery instruction, the coaching staff must assess and approve a student to join. At this level, the JOAD/AAP program moves from basic skills to the start of an elevated form of coaching, which helps the student archer improve their skill sets. 

It is not required that the student complete Level 1; however, a coach’s assessment will be required prior to entry into this level. Completion of Level 1 does not guarantee acceptance into Level 2.

Students who enter this level will have demonstrated a solid understanding of core shooting skills, display a desire for higher achievement, and aspire to a higher level of commitment.

Intermediate and Advanced students should have their own equipment prior to starting the JOAD/AAP program. 

Fees and Class Schedule

Fees: Rate varies with and without equipment. SFA members also get a discount. Please contact joad@sfarchers.org for more details.

Class Sessions: The classes will be scheduled on Saturdays, twice a month.  Note, our ranges are typically closed on the 2nd Saturday of each month for range maintenance days and during special events (such as tournaments). There are typically two sessions: 9:00-10:15 am and 10:30-11:45 am. Classes will normally start in April (weather dependent) and run to the end of August.

USA Archery

Although not required for attending classes, USA Archery requires students to be members in order to earn achievement awards and rankings within the JOAD/AAP program as well as to compete in USA Archery sanctioned events. Archers are responsible for obtaining a membership at USA Archery (usarchery.org) prior to the achievement shoots, events or tournaments.

SFA Coaching Staff

All SFA Coaching staff are volunteers and are dedicated to teaching the skills of archery to anyone interested in learning. As both coaches and competitors, the Coaching Staff are dedicated to enhancing the archery experience for anyone choosing to learn this Olympic Sport. We believe that a fun and positive approach is the best way to help students achieve their archery goals.

We look forward to seeing you in the JOAD/AAP programs!

Sincerely,

Jess Aldape, Head Coach – USA Archery Level 3 Coach

Lew Chee, Director – USA Archery Level 2 Instructor