When I first arrived, the small gym didn’t seem to have much set up. There were no targets or equipment visible, but the floor was spotless and polished. Students were standing around chatting as I entered, and there was a somewhat chaotic vibe to the place. The preparations started as soon as head coach Kat Davis got there. As Davis set up a curtain behind the archers to stop the arrows from hitting the wall, the students sprang into action, pulling out foam targets and unpacking racks of bows. It was clear how many times everyone had done this before, compared to my confusion, and their efficiency was remarkable.

I stood awkwardly in the corner and watched, feeling a little out of place while the others worked on setting up. I had never done archery before this, so I wasn’t sure what to anticipate or how I could assist with setup. Davis asked a student named Avery to assist me after noticing that I was unsure of myself. Avery, who was, in contrast, very composed and self-assured, got right to work teaching me the fundamentals. Avery showed me how to set up a practice bow to get me started. They gave me a very straightforward explanation and demonstrated how to set it up physically. Avery began by showing me how to fasten the bowstring and check that the arrow was positioned properly. Although there was a lot to process, their advice made me feel more at ease using the tools.

Everyone warmed up before we started shooting. Even though I didn’t have a band like the others, I still chose to join the group in stretching and strengthening their arms with resistance bands, using one arm to stretch the other. Our muscles were better prepared for the physical demands of shooting thanks to this warm-up. When I pulled the string back for the first time, I was afraid it would slam against my arm. During the initial rough attempts, I got a reddish rash after the string touched my arm. However, I started to feel a little more confident as I practiced more. The sting lessened with each shot. I was reassured by Avery that things would become easier in due course, and they were right.

Avery also clarified the significance of the various whistles. A single whistle announced the start of shooting, two told archers to move to the shooting line, and it was time to retrieve the arrows at three. Avery made sure I understood when each signal was used, and these guidelines were crucial for everyone’s safety.

I waited in line with the others until it was finally my turn to shoot. Being surrounded by people who had been shooting for some time initially made me anxious. However, I took my place behind the line. I took care to adhere to their instructions, which included aiming for the target, drawing the string back, and keeping the bow steady. The arrow hardly reached halfway to the target in my first attempt, which was far from flawless. I had a hard time pulling the string back, and the bow felt heavy in my hands. Nevertheless, I was pleased to see it at least partially leave the bow. Every shot seemed like a small step forward, and each time I could feel myself getting more comfortable with the movements.

I became more conscious of my form as I kept shooting. I began to realize that strength alone was not enough for archery; instead, it seemed to me to be about patience, control, and focus. To ensure that every shot was as accurate as possible and that my arm wouldn’t shake, I had to maintain my composure. Since I am right-dominant, meaning my right eye commands more of my brain’s attention, Davis advised me to close my left eye. My arrows began to fly closer to the target when I closed my left eye, which improved my shooting accuracy. I was at least moving in the right direction, which made me happy.

Avery demonstrated to me how to safely retrieve the arrows following the shooting. I discovered how to approach the target area cautiously, avoiding haste and keeping an eye on the other archers. After arriving, I took care not to harm the arrows or the apparatus by carefully removing them from the foam targets. I walked back with the arrows upside down and my hand over the spikes. The startling sharpness of the arrows’ points against my hand made me understand why they take safety so seriously.

It was still enjoyable to try, even though my arrows didn’t travel very far and weren’t always accurate. I felt like I accomplished something from the experience, and it was thrilling to watch how each shot got better, even if only slightly. It was enlightening to try archery for the first time, but it was even more mentally and physically taxing than I had anticipated. I had to focus on each movement, ensuring that I was performing it correctly and staying focused the entire time. Despite not hitting the target, I was pleased to realize my real accomplishment was bravely facing something new.