The Intermediate Archer is out now – and author Ben Hastings explains just why this book is needed and how it fills the resource gap for archers looking to develop their skills …
“After I started archery, I had a LOT of questions. I had rented a bow, which was set up for me, and I rapidly found that I wanted the additional freedom of using my own and experimenting with changing settings. My coach also wanted to do a lot with my form, which was fine for a raw beginner, but needed much adjustment and polishing as I progressed.
“A coach is not always available and, while other archers were more than willing to give me help and advice, some of it was contradictory and confusing, and I didn’t understand the reasoning behind others.
“After I started archery I had a LOT of questions”
“After qualifying as a coach myself, I found beginners who had got ‘the bug’ were keen to progress and improve, but couldn’t find reliable information to help them in their search for the path to excellence.
“I was asked the same questions over and over, and in the committee of my club someone suggested I design a secondary course that could be presented over several sessions. I started assembling material and rapidly realised that there was a wider audience for much of it. And thus the idea of a book was born.
“I was asked the same questions over and over … thus the idea of a book was born.”
“I approached Meyer and Meyer, specialist sports publishers, with my idea and they were immediately interested. Various others contributed to the development of the book. My coach and mentor, Mike Dicks, was very encouraging and checked much of the detail of the book. My daughter Saffiyah drew many of the illustrations and Clara, one of my pupils agreed to pose for the photographs.
“It has been an interesting journey and I already feel that there is easily enough material for a follow-up. Watch this space!”
Thank you for joining us, Ben!
The Intermediate Archer: Everything They Didn’t Tell You in the Beginner’s Course is out now and available through all good bookstores and online retailers.
