Youth Archery

Beginner archers are those who have little-to-no experience with archery. Equipment and instruction will be provided to youth to ensure they safely shoot a light poundage recurve bow using basic National Training System (NTS) form. The instruction is designed to be adequate for those looking only for recreational shooting, while also establishing a baseline for those interested in pursuing a deeper understanding of archery.

Each class consists of warmups, followed by archery games, that provide a fun way of practicing basic skills. The bows provided are practice bows with light poundage to learn the NTS shooting technique and are not suitable for competition (long distances). As archers improve, they may want to advance to the Intermediate level. Intermediate archers are required to have their own equipment, and our staff will provide recommendations to those who have demonstrated the required abilities (parents make the ultimate decision as to what equipment is purchased for their child).

The Intermediate level is designed for archers who have their own equipment and want to shoot at longer ranges while receiving more in-depth coaching. The class period is extended in order to provide adequate time for warmups, instruction, and practice. Intermediate archers should be prepared to receive more in-depth feedback and be able to take and implement the feedback into their practice. 

The Advanced level is for those who actively participate in tournaments and are looking for in-depth, granular instruction to bring out their potential as a competitor. Program staff must approve advanced archers; youth may not enroll in the Advanced level without attending at least one prior session and getting vetted for readiness.

The archery range is located on the Golden Bear Recreation Center’s softball field, which can become wet and muddy from the sprinkler system. Always wear close-toed shoes. Weather in Berkeley can be inconsistent, so be sure to dress appropriately for the day‘s forecast. Dress in layers and make sure not to wear clothing that can catch on the bow string. Jackets with long zipper pull tabs, bulky pockets, or anything that sticks out are not advised. Please avoid wearing dangling necklaces, long earrings, or facial jewelry if they can interfere with shooting. Bring a hat and sunscreen on sunny days, as well as a reusable water bottle. Many participants also choose to bring a snack that is easy to eat while shooting, but it is not required.

Parents and/or guardians are welcome to stay and observe; we provide limited folding chairs, as well as benches near the Intermediate group, but folding chairs are recommended for those who require seating. A single-occupancy bathroom is available on site, and a water fountain is adjacent to the softball field where the practice is held. 

There will be practice bows and equipment available for beginners. Those in the Intermediate and Advanced classes should bring all their archery equipment to every lesson.

Note: UC Berkeley Youth Archery is a recurve-only program. Compound bows are not permitted on the archery range.

Difference Between Recurve and Compound Bows

A recurve bow looks much like a traditional bow except at the very ends the tips curve forward. A compound bow has a series of off-round pulleys or cams at the ends of the bow limbs that store energy in the string itself as well as the limbs. The cam or cams (in a double cam) create far more power than the same-length limbs in a recurve. The arrows from a compound bow, therefore, penetrate deeper into the target bale than from a recurve bow.

On most days, there is free and unlimited street parking available on Dwight Way, as well as metered parking along Sports Lane, and the lot at the end of Sports Lane, next to the sand volleyball courts. During the Cal football season, home games restrict parking access, causing street parking to be tow-away and metered parking to be closed to the public. For these session dates, a special parking pass will be provided to participants that will allow parking in the metered parking stalls as normal. However, Dwight Way will still be tow-away.