Most of the people in the chub I belong to shoot compounds, mainly because there has been no one with any knowledge of stickbows. So I'm going to set up a session on Introduction to Traditional Archery. I plan on a classroom discussion about history and equipment as well as a shooting for participants.
For anyone who has done this, can you give me an idea of what worked and didn't work. What would you include?
Rod Jenkins outlines a very thorough approach in his section of Masters of the Bare Bow 3. For the first class, I would alternate between brief discussion sessions and brief shooting sessions. Maybe start with 10 minutes of introductions and history of archery, followed by 5 minutes on the first form element you want to discuss, then 10 minutes of practicing that form element at the blank bale. Then alternate between brief discussions of various form elements and brief blank bale practice sessions for the rest of the class. The class should be small enough that you can offer individual advice during the practice sessions.
If you have a follow up class, it should be at somewhat longer ranges and different elevations, so you can work on things like stance on uneven ground, canting, peeking, and maintaining the "T" of shoulders and arms that usually aren't problems with the blank bale.
I am certainly not qualified to offer much, but I would suggest that adult archers are a lot like eager kids - go lighter on lecture and more time pulling the string.
I would plenty of different bows....longbows, recurves, selfbow.....and lots of historical stuff.I would show them how Traditional Archery is about way more than just killing game.
I would discuss and demonstrate the hands on aspect....arrow making, leatherwork, etc.
I would absolutely have some shooting, but I would not try and preach any one method.
True Traditional Bowmen are individualists. Show them how much fun it is, and let them find thier own way.....
They probably would benefit from a short discussion on the criticality of spine in trad bows. I see wheel bow guys who have little understanding why we spend somuch (enjoyable) time on our tuning. they do it with an allen wrench on the rest and site!