Did you know Archery is literally one of the safest sports? That is right, Archery is ranked the lowest sport for injuries from the National Safety Council Statistics.
The Junior Olympic Archery Development (J.O.A.D) is a program designed for youth ages 8 - 20 years of age to teach Archery on a recreational or competitive level. Each Archer has the ability to learn different equipment types for shooting, proper form technique, safety, focus, self-confidence, team building, strength building, mental conditioning, achieving goals, and to compete in tournaments. Kids under the age of 8 are eligible to compete in these programs. You just need to find a facility that offers classes for kids ages 5 to 7.
JOAD Program Testing System
The best way to explain the JOAD program, its similar to Karate. Karate has a belt and stripe ranking system, while in Archery has a Lanyard and Pin ranking system. This program starts very easy for the Archers and progresses to difficult levels. The system has a total of 11 pins - 8 followed by 3 Olympian pins. The 3 Olympian pins are sent by USA Archery of which they look like medals along with a press release and other gifts. It's a big deal! It takes the Archer years to complete both indoor and outdoor lanyards. As the age of the Archer changes so does the distance for outdoors. The distance for indoors never changes but for the younger youth it will take the time to master 20 yards.
Starting, once the Archer has a basic grasp on how to properly shoot with basic form, then the student is eligible to begin competing/testing. To begin with, Coaches might handout lanyards to the students when they first begin Archery classes and others might give out lanyards at their first tournament testing. From their to earn their first pin is quite easy. Each tournament varies in regards to how many pins a student can earn. Some Archery shops might have testing/tournaments each month and if not then an Archer can earn pins at the state/national tournament of which allows them to earn multiple pins. Some coaches allow students at the local level tournaments to earn more than one pin. This gives students the ability to see what level their competitors are when competing at a state/national tournament.
Starting, once the Archer has a basic grasp on how to properly shoot with basic form, then the student is eligible to begin competing/testing. To begin with, Coaches might handout lanyards to the students when they first begin Archery classes and others might give out lanyards at their first tournament testing. From their to earn their first pin is quite easy. Each tournament varies in regards to how many pins a student can earn. Some Archery shops might have testing/tournaments each month and if not then an Archer can earn pins at the state/national tournament of which allows them to earn multiple pins. Some coaches allow students at the local level tournaments to earn more than one pin. This gives students the ability to see what level their competitors are when competing at a state/national tournament.
Once the youth Archer has complete all 8 of the pins their next step is to begin earning their Olympian Status Pins. These pins are basically Bronze, Silver, and Gold. We tend to make a big deal on these pins. It's like the student achieving a black belt or going to the Olympics. While these pins are hard to master, the youth is essentially earning the perfect score.
This program is a great way to help youth Archers learn to build goals, self-confidence, and team building. Some Archers will do it for themselves as a goal or for fun, while others use this system as a stepping stone to move into the Junior Dream Team, National Tournaments, Youth Olympics or World Cup.
Equipment Types
Each Archer depending on the equipment of their choice determines the color lanyard they will receive. As you can see lanyards come in a variety of colors shown photo above. Here is a list of different division that separated the Archers from one another, for the exception of barebow shooters.
First Division is barebow of which is a basic plain bow with no equipment.
Traditional Recurve / Basic barebow compound
Second Division Olympic Recurves
Olympic Recurve
and Third Division Compounds
Compound
Do Archers need their own equipment to shoot at these tournaments?
Yes and No. If they are a beginner the equipment should be provided. You will need to find out from the Archery shops. As the Archer progresses and hits a certain level then yes they will need their own equipment. That way the bow is tuned for them and makes it easier for Archer to compete.
Basically, in a nutshell, the JOAD program is a fun, exciting program and a family program as well. Adults do have the ability to earn there own pins and lanyards too. Adults classes are offered along with competitions too. So whether you are 6 years to 100 years of age its a great program for everyone and anyone.
Could you imagine your kid going to the Youth Olympics or Olympics one day? Get started today enrolling your children in the JOAD program. For local classes call 561-206-2056 and for our of the area or out of state click here.
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