That little matter of instruction is one of the most serious problems

we face. How, or what can be done to make the early period of learning
to shoot sufficiently interesting so that initial interest cen be car-
ried over the hump of awkwardness, over the first few discouraging days
when the arrows seem to go everywhere except where they should #0, over
the tedious time spent in looking for arrows thet have found 2 secure
nesting spot deep in the roots of the grass? If you know how to sustain
interest through these discouraging imoments, then you are the exceptional
instructor, It can be done, and it should be done if your efforts are
to be worth while, or if the results are to be a credit to you and the
institution you represent.

The letters for the next few momths will dwell on subjects of this nature.
I am going to assume that you have any one of the modern books on archery
instruction and have probably had instruction in shooting. In other words,
my purpose is to supplement the academic with applied archery psychology,
to make the sport a permanently interesting, individual activity for those
now about to learn it.

So, for a starting point, let us survey the vitally important considera-
tion of interest development. Try to see it introspectively by deter-
mining the factors which would have appealed to you before you ever tried

shooting. There is no doubt that an entirely different set of emotions
sway boys and girls. It is unnecessary to go into a psychological anel-
ysis of the whys and wherefors, but here are a few points gained from
questioning many boys and girls.

Girls like archery because--it is a sport they feel confident that they
can do successfully. They appreciate the grace and poise of arching,
knowing that they will appear to advantage in the eyes of others. There
is a natural deSire in most people, which includes girls, to want to draw
back a bow and release the arrows, sending it swiftly off into space,

Boys like archery because--they conjure up a few mental pictures of Robin
Hood or Indians hunting big game in the wood, and then inject themselves
into the picture. This is displaced later by other motives such as ex-
celling in the sport and the craft side of archery when they make their
own equipment. There is a definite objection or resistance when boys are
required to learn archery under a woman's tcaching. The line of least
resistance should be followed by playing on the primary urges. Suggest to
girls the picture of gracefullness and poise when shooting after they hsve
learned to do it properly. Explain that everyone feels awkward at Frarst.,
but the awkward sensation is overcome by practice. Make it known to them
that shooting will definitely develop their bodies for a slim waist and a
well developed bust, and that any normally co-ordinated person can lesrn
to shoot well.

Since some of these articles will not exactly co-inside with seasonal in-
struction work, I suggest that you keep them together for future reference,

Very truly yours,

Rr Wifher—
be c. mnaiten