JOAD is the USA Archery’s youth program and runs year-long with both indoor and outdoor seasons. JOAD allows youth to earn pins based on their improvement in archery measured by score and distance to target. Youth can earn new awards through “pin shoots”, a special scored practice that simulates a tournament in style and execution. We will hold pin shoots once every month beginning in May on the last practice of the month, unless otherwise announced.
JOAD practices will be split in a way that provides adequate instructor supervision. For “Yeoman” class youth (through the calendar year of their 9th birthday), we will need a higher ratio of instructors to archers (3:1 for 7 years old and under, 6:1 for 8-9 years old). Please consider becoming an instructor if you have a youth in these age groups!
JOAD & NASP
JOAD participants do not have to enroll in the NASP program and vice versa. The JOAD indoor season partially overlaps with NASP tournament season. During that time, NASP tournaments will take priority for all NASP participants. Youth choosing to shoot exclusively equipment that is not NASP-approved – recurve, barebow, compound (beyond basic) – during indoor season will be encouraged to participate in JOAD tournaments ad hoc or with fellow teammates, as situations allow.
Note on Summer practice Time:
The most popular choice for times across the survey was for afternoon, but the summer heat may change many of our minds. Therefore, I’m very open to moving outdoor practices to the mornings as we warm up. Please let me know if you have an objection to the change: email me.
Equipment
If you do NOT have equipment, we have bows, arrows, and gear for you to use at practice! For those who already have equipment, bring them to your first practice for inspection.
As your youth progress, you will likely want to get them their own gear. Please speak with a coach for recommendations. Do NOT purchase gear from Amazon – the market there is VERY sketchy and some of products are dangerous to use!
JOAD Team Signup
North
I-70 corridor
The location for team practices is at Sports Center Park. Practice is on Tuesdays:
10-10:30 AM for “Littles” (5 to 9 yo)
10:30-12 PM for all others
Central
I-64/40 & I-44 corridors
The location for team practices is Greentree Park across from the boat ramp. Practice is on Wednesdays:
2-2:30 PM for “Littles” (5 to 9 yo)
2:30-4 PM for all others
Rangers
All-city
The location for team practices is Greentree Park across from the boat ramp. Practice is on Wednesdays:
6:30-7:30 PM (youth)
South
I-55 corridor
The location for team practices is at the JCYA football fields, across from Arnold City Park. Practice is on Thursdays:
10-10:30 AM for “Littles” (5 to 9 yo)
10:30-12 PM for all others
NASP
NASP (National Archery in the Schools) program is centered around the school year and will begin in August. Practices will be held at municipal rec centers within the team boundaries and discussions are ongoing with several organizations.
Registration is likely to be done through their portals and links will be provided here in July for families to access.
For more information on NASP, see https://www.naspschools.org/magic-of-nasp/