Archer’s Path JOAD Program
Archer’s Path JOAD is a youth-focused archery development program designed for archers between the ages of eight and twenty. It is affiliated with USA Archery and follows the national Junior Olympic Archery Development model. This program offers a progression-based learning structure that supports both recreational archers and those with competitive goals. It emphasizes safety, discipline, technical growth, and mental focus, while fostering a sense of community among young athletes.
The goal of the Archer’s Path JOAD program is to teach consistent recurve archery fundamentals in a way that supports each student’s development. Instruction goes beyond basic shooting and includes mental skills, range etiquette, physical awareness, and performance preparation. Youth archers are guided through clear milestones and are recognized for their progress using USA Archery’s JOAD pin award system.
USA Archery Divisions
Participants are grouped by age using USA Archery divisions. The Yeoman group is for ages eight to nine and is typically reserved for younger students with strong focus and coach approval. The Bowman division includes ages ten to twelve. Cub archers are between the ages of thirteen and fourteen. Cadet archers are ages fifteen to seventeen. The Junior division includes archers aged eighteen to twenty. Each age group trains at distances and target sizes appropriate to their developmental level.
Highlights
The core of the program is built around weekly JOAD practice sessions. These take place during both the indoor and outdoor seasons and typically meet once or twice per week. Each session includes warm-up drills, technical instruction, focused training on form and shot process, and supervised practice rounds. Archers are expected to participate consistently and to work toward measurable improvement through mindful training and personal reflection.
Monthly pin shoots are held to recognize achievement using USA Archery’s standardized scoring system. During these events, archers shoot a thirty-arrow round at their assigned distance and target size. If they meet or exceed the required scores, they receive official JOAD pins as a mark of progress. These shoots help archers learn to manage nerves and apply their practice under light competitive conditions.
More Details
Seasonal enrichment clinics may also be offered. These include workshops on equipment tuning, goal setting, performance mindset, tournament preparation, and breath control. Guest instructors or mental performance coaches may occasionally be invited to lead special sessions. While the core program centers on recurve instruction, the coaching philosophy encourages each archer to explore the mental and physical aspects of their development.
Tournament support is available for interested archers. Archer’s Path provides coaching for local, state, and national events. This includes pre-event preparation, warm-up routines, mental game reminders, post-event analysis, and coach presence at select competitions. Tournament participation is encouraged but not required.
Archers may use their own recurve equipment or borrow club gear while they are getting started. All equipment must be safe, appropriate for the archer’s size and draw weight, and suitable for USA Archery scoring rounds. Equipment checks and recommendations are provided as part of the onboarding process.
To participate in the Archer’s Path JOAD program, each archer must have an active USA Archery youth or family membership. All archers are required to complete a safety orientation or beginner course prior to full participation. A signed waiver and agreement to follow the Archer’s Path JOAD Code of Conduct is also required. Consistent attendance and respect for the group environment are expected of all participants.
Michael Cleary, a certified USA Archery instructor and the founder of Archer’s Path, leads the JOAD program as head coach. He is responsible for curriculum development, coaching oversight, scoring administration, and long-term program planning. A program administrator supports registration, parent communication, and coordination with USA Archery.
The indoor JOAD season typically runs from November through March. The outdoor season begins in April and continues through September. Practice sessions are generally held on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Monthly pin shoots are hosted on the first Saturday of each month, with adjustments made for holidays and major events.
Tuition is based on attendance frequency and ranges from eighty five to one hundred twenty five dollars per month. This includes all instruction, use of practice equipment, and access to standard pin shoot events. Families are responsible for maintaining active USA Archery membership, which costs approximately forty five dollars per year. Pin shoots include a small participation fee to help cover the cost of awards and scoring materials. Archer’s Path is developing a scholarship and fee assistance program through the future Archer’s Path Foundation to ensure access for all motivated youth, regardless of financial situation.
Archer’s Path JOAD is designed to create a training environment that values progress over perfection, consistency over competition, and presence over pressure. It is a space where youth archers can grow their skill and awareness, supported by a coach who respects the discipline of the sport and the individuality of every archer.