Pinwheel,

I agree with what you are saying. However, I started shooting when I was 12. I didn't have anybody to show me form or how to tune or anything else. I bowhunted 6 or 7 years before I ever new anyone that bowhunted (orther than crossbow). So my only option was to get in there and learn it on my own. I did so to varying to degrees of success but I always got the job done. I have still yet to ever find or hear of a coach in my area (including Memphis). Also, I have never been to a shop with a "pro" behind the counter. Some of the guys could do the basic tuning and do the other work but I have never been to a shop where someone could or was even qualified to help someone with their form (and I went looking). So everything that I have ever learned about the form aspect has been through trial and error, bulletin boards, and some books on the subjects. The book that I liked the best and felt like I learned the most from was Idiot Proof Archery. With out these alternatives I would have gone on thinking that I was doing it the right way. Which I still may not be, but I am a lot closer than I use to be and my form as become much more repeatable. If someone is going to get frustrated and give up they are going to regardless, it's just in their nature. I struggled through every problem imaginable without any help for many years and I never gave up the sport and I still thirst for knowledge to this day. I don't know what is available in the area where this youngman lives, but if it's anything like the area that I live in, bulleting boards and books may be his only alternative. I am glad their are "techs" like you and Len that are there to help your customers. This thread would have been another good chance to pass on some of your knowledge rather than criticizing guys for trying to help. For the a good deal of us there is no such resource and we have to try to find knowledge where ever we can. While I don't doubt that you see individuals that have been led astray by the internet. I would have to say all in all there is a very knowledgeable group of people on these boards. It may take some time to filter through who you should or shouldn't listen to but the knowledge is out there. In most cases I found the knowledgeable among these boards to be much more knowledgeable than 99% of the archers that I have ever met in person. So, I would have to say that your odds of getting good advice are much better here than from Joe Smoe off the street and better than ANY of the "Pro" Shops that I have ever been to. We're not pros, we are just trying to help the best we know how. Why don't you critique the young man's form and possibly help the young man and some of us that are less knowledgeable, learn from your experience?


dwd2001,

If you have the option to get the help of a coach, then do so. If not, take the advice of the people on this board and try to sort through the opinions and try to find out what works for you. Also, try to find some books on the subject.