Meet the Instructors – Roger Huggins

We thought we’d start a new ‘occasional series’ of blog posts getting to know a bit about the 2020 Archery instructors. We asked a few general questions and we also asked them what advice they’d most like to pass onto beginners and club members. We’re starting with Roger Huggins who leads at the club on a Monday evening and Sunday afternoon. He also does loads of our great archery corporate events / stag do’s and he is a regular assisting at Junior club on a Saturday morning. Over to the questions….

How long have you been shooting for?

I’ve been shooting since the year 2000, although I stopped shooting for about 7 years in the middle of that. So about 7 years in total.

How did you get started shooting?

When I started university I had the opportunity to try lots of different sports but archery was the one that I came back to again and again.

What do you remember feeling stuck with when you first got started / what was the hardest thing?

It’s hard to remember that far back, but my release has always caused me problems. It causes lots of people problems because problems with release are usually caused by other problems so focusing on it in isolation is usually not that helpful. It’s not until I focused on my posture and form that I’ve become happy with my release.

When did you get into coaching?

I started coaching about 3 years ago and haven’t thought about much else since!

What’s the best part of the job?

The best part is when an archer looks effortless when shooting. As a coach you can’t help but notice when, and usually why, someone is struggling. But when an archer just flows through their shot and they’re in perfect harmony it’s a beautiful thing to behold and an even better thing to feel. I always want people to feel that feeling and when you see someone achieve it it’s wonderfully satisfying.

What’s the one bit of advice you’d give to someone thinking of taking up archery?

When you go on a course make use of the instructor and ask lots of questions. That’s their job and they will most likely enjoy talking about archery as much as me! You and the rest of the class will get more out of the course this way and you will all come out of it with a better understanding and skill level.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Have fun! Find what you enjoy most about archery and do that. Try and shoot different types of bows, different rounds, different disciplines and try a competition or two. If you mostly like chatting to your friends at the club make sure you go to  the same sessions as your friends.

And if you get stuck ask for advice, either from a coach of from an experienced archer, most clubs are pretty sociable and help is usually easier to find than you might think.