Your First Archery Lesson. Private. Safe.
One-on-one instruction with a USA Archery certified coach. All equipment provided. Ages 6 and up. No group lines, no walk-ins, no experience needed.
One Coach. One Archer. Zero Group Lines.
Most archery accidents happen in group settings — someone steps forward while another archer is drawing, a new shooter handles a bow without proper supervision, kids get bored waiting in line and start moving around the range. That's not how we do it.
Every lesson here is private. One certified coach. One archer (or two, max — for couples and parent-child). The entire two-acre facility is closed to other students during your session. No counter line, no group, no distractions. You shoot when you're ready. You stop when you need a break. Your coach is watching every shot.
Private Facility
Two acres. No walk-ins. When you book, the range is yours.
Certified Supervision
USA Archery Level 2 or Level 3 coach with every arrow.
2-Person Maximum
We cap at two students per session. Always. No exceptions.
Everything You Need to Shoot. We Bring It All.
Show up empty-handed. We provide everything for your first lesson:
- Compound bow sized to your draw length and strength
- Arrows matched to the bow
- Safety gear — armguard, finger tab or release aid
- 120-yard outdoor range with covered shooting line
- 60 minutes of private coaching from a USA Archery certified instructor
- A clear next step at the end of the lesson — no pressure, no upsell
Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing you can move in. We'll handle the rest.
Simple. Transparent. No Memberships.
First Archery Lesson
- USA Archery certified coach
- Ages 6 and up (evaluated individually)
- All equipment provided
- Private 1-on-1 session
First Lesson — Bring Someone
- Perfect for parent + child, couples, or two friends
- Still private — just the two of you and your coach
- Same equipment, same coach, same range
- Maximum 2 students per session for safety
4-Lesson Starter Package
Four 60-minute lessons. Pay at your first session. Save $40.
The first lesson teaches you to hit the target. Four lessons teach you a repeatable shot. By lesson four you'll know whether archery is your next hobby — and you'll be shooting tight enough groups to make the answer easy.
Built for Beginners. Kids and Adults.
Kids ages 6 and up
Recommended starting age is 6, but the right age depends on the child's strength, attention span, and ability to follow safety instructions. We evaluate every child individually in the first lesson and tell you honestly if they're ready.
Adult beginners
Never held a bow? That's most of our new students. Adults learn the same structured fundamentals in a private, pressure-free setting. Nobody's watching you. Nobody's faster than you. It's just you and your coach.
Parent and child together
Two-person lessons are perfect for a parent learning alongside their kid. Same coach, same range, $120 for both of you. We've had grandparents and 8-year-olds in the same session.
Returning archers
Shot 20 years ago and want to try again? Bow you bought during the pandemic gathering dust? We'll re-teach the fundamentals and rebuild your form from the ground up.
Six Pillars. One Foundation.
Every first lesson builds the same six pillars. Get these right and everything else compounds.
Range Safety
Proper range etiquette, safe handling of equipment, and the rules that keep everyone safe. This comes first before any arrows fly.
Stance & Posture
How to stand, position your feet, and align your body so that every shot starts from a consistent, repeatable foundation.
Grip & Loading
How to hold the bow without torquing it and how to load an arrow correctly. Small details here make a big difference downrange.
Anchor & Aim
Finding your anchor point and learning the aiming steps that let you place arrows where you want them, consistently.
Release & Follow-Through
A controlled release and steady follow-through are what separate accurate shooters from everyone else. We build this from the start.
Your Next Steps
By the end of your first lesson, you'll know where you stand and what the next step looks like — more lessons, advanced coaching, competition, or hunting.
Meet Scott.
Scott Reed is USA Archery Level 2 certified and the coach who handles every first lesson. He's patient, calm, and known for making nervous first-timers — kids and adults — feel welcome from their first shot. If you stick with archery and want to compete or hunt later, you'll graduate to advanced coaching with Rob Gilbert (USA Archery Level 3). But everything starts with Scott.
Scott Reed
Scott leads all beginner and introductory archery lessons at Archery Sarasota. Known for patient, steady guidance that makes new archers feel welcome and confident from their first session. Read more about our coaches.
What Every Parent Asks.
Real questions from real parents. Honest answers.
Is archery safe for kids?
With proper supervision, archery has a lower injury rate than basketball, soccer, or cycling. The reason we cap at two students per coach is exactly this — every arrow is watched, every step on the range is supervised, and your child never handles equipment without the coach right there.
What if my child is afraid of the bow?
Common, and totally fine. Scott has worked with plenty of nervous kids. First lesson typically starts with no arrows at all — just handling the bow, learning the stance, practicing the draw without shooting. We don't fire an arrow until your child is comfortable. Some kids shoot in the first 10 minutes. Some take the full hour to get there. Both are normal.
My child is 6 but small. Is that okay?
Often, yes. We have youth bows that go as low as 10 pounds of draw weight, which most 6-year-olds can pull. If your child genuinely isn't strong enough on the day of the lesson, we'll tell you honestly and suggest waiting a few months. You won't pay if we determine your child isn't ready in the first 15 minutes.
Can I watch the lesson?
Yes. There's a covered seating area near the shooting line where parents can watch the entire lesson. We just ask that you stay seated and let the coach do the coaching.
What if my child won't listen or follow safety instructions?
We need every student to follow range commands — it's not negotiable. If a child genuinely can't focus, we'll pause the lesson and have an honest conversation with the parent. We won't continue an unsafe session. This is rare.
How long until my child can actually hit the target?
Most kids put arrows in a target the same day. Most are grouping arrows together by lesson 3. "Hitting the bullseye consistently" is more like lesson 8–12 of regular practice.
Do you offer parties or group classes for kids?
No. We are intentionally private one-on-one or two-person only, for safety reasons. If you want a birthday-party-style experience, we're not the right fit. If you want your child to actually learn archery properly, we are.
What happens after the first lesson?
At the end of the lesson, Scott will tell you honestly what next step makes sense. That might be the 4-lesson package, monthly lessons, or — if your child catches the competitive bug — eventually moving to advanced coaching or the JOAD competitive team. No pressure, no upsell at the lesson itself.
What Every Adult Asks.
Am I too old to start archery?
No. Archery is one of the most age-friendly sports you can pick up. As long as you can pull a 25–35 pound draw weight (most adults can), you can shoot. People shoot recreationally into their 80s and competitively into their 70s.
Will I embarrass myself?
It's a private lesson. Nobody is there but you and your coach. There's no group, no audience, nobody faster or better than you to compare yourself to. Most adults overestimate how hard the first lesson will be.
Do I need to be in shape?
No. Archery uses your back muscles more than your arms. It builds strength rather than requiring it. If you can hold a gallon of milk at shoulder height for 5 seconds, you can shoot a beginner bow.
What if I have a shoulder or back issue?
Tell us when you book and we'll let you know if it's workable. Many archers shoot competitively with old shoulder injuries — proper form often reduces shoulder strain compared to most other sports.
I bought a bow during COVID and never used it. Can I bring it?
Yes, but the first lesson works better with our equipment. Once you know your draw length and what feels right, we can tune your bow for you (separate service) in a follow-up session.
Can I just take one lesson to try it, with no commitment?
Yes. The $80 single lesson is a no-strings introduction. Whichever feels right is fine — one lesson, the 4-lesson package, or monthly tune-ups.
Drive Times to the Range.
7524 Castle Dr, Sarasota, FL 34240. By appointment only.
Ready for Your First Lesson?
Book in under 60 seconds. Most first lessons book within the same week. Show up empty-handed — we provide everything.
Book Your First Lesson — $80 →