Author Archives: Rob Jones

Dec 8 2014

So Much to Learn … About Arrows

Some good advice and information in this article.

Steve Ruis's avatarA Blog for Archery Coaches

The following question came in recently from a “non-beginner:” “If an aluminum arrow has a dent in it, is it still usable?”

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Coaches need to be aware of how much our students do not know about archery equipment. It is easy for grizzled veterans of archery to forget how much there is to learn.

As all-carbon arrows become more prevalent, archers get less and less experience with aluminum arrows, even though the pathway up from a “beginner” usually is paved with aluminum arrows. There seems to be a growing opinion that aluminum arrows are “obsolete,” but this is incorrect. Marketing forces are always on the side of “new and improved” (an oxymoronic claim, by the way) and seem to denigrate the prior models as “old” or “inferior.” So, an impression is created that older designs are less capable, limiting performance somehow. This is not true.

There is…

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Nov 29 2014

Students first bow

I had one of those special days that many coaches will understand. I went with one of my newly signed off students to Merlin Archery (http://www.merlinarchery.co.uk/)  in Loughborough so they could buy their first proper bow.

I’ve been coaching Nick for a couple of months and he’s been using one of my beginner bows during this time. He’s now got to a stage where he has been signed off and wants to get his own bow. So I arranged to go up to Loughborough and meet him when he went to get his bow to offer some advice and moral support.
He’s ended up with a SF riser and limbs which no doubt will be put to test tomorrow down at the wood. Its a great feeling to see a student develop and progress to getting their first real bow.
I would like to say a big thanks to Merlin staff (Dan and co) for all the time spent today with Nick. It was also great to finally meet up with Jim Grizzly Kent who runs Merlin Archery Adventures youtube channel and web blog (http://archeryadventures.tumblr.com/).
Thanks for reading.
Nov 28 2014

Cricket tragedy affects us all

I’m not a cricket fan but can’t help feeling for the friends and family of Australian cricketer Philip Hughes who died following being hit in the head by a cricket ball. He was doing what he enjoyed and had worked hard for. A series of tributes across the globe displaying cricket caps and bats are appearing on social media sites.
In our hobby we often talk of the dangers of archery and safety of courses, equipment and archers. When you consider there are over six thousand members of the nfas with shoots nationwide every weekend there are a lot of arrows flying round with thankfully few issues. Incidents like these make me  think and goes to show how fragile life can be.
My thoughts also go to the bowler Sean Abbott, who bowled the ball that hit Philip. I  can’t imagine how Sean must fee, l I just hope he receives the support and time to recover. From everything I have read and seen it was a freak accident.
Thanks for reading.