My youngest son turns 6 tomorrow and my mother gave him his birthday present today. He got him a little Tomcat 2 8-22lb 15-23” compound bow. Excited is an understatement. I know it’s just a little knock off but we ain’t worried about that. I was 12 or 13 when I got my first bow, so I was bigger and more stable. I’ve shot with some good “hunter” archers and know most things about how to shoot. Just thought you guys that have raised youth shooting may have some tips and tricks to help me train him. I have it let down where he can pull it back but I’m gonna have to change some accessories out to help. Any input appreciated.

Practice from an elevated position will cut down on arrows lost

Need to have the draw length adjusted to fit him. Can be tough on kids that young. From day one teach him proper form and that he needs to have the same anchor position every time. Doing this will be easier than trying to break bad habits later on. Start him out at about 3 to 5 yards and keep him at that distance until he learns proper form and gets proficient at what he’s aiming at. If he’s using a release, make sure the release fits him. He shouldn’t have to reach for the trigger. Teach him to aim with his finger resting on the trigger. This will prevent him punching the trigger. Hopefully you still shoot. If you do, have him stand back and watch how you do it. Make sure he understands that is not like shooting a gun. Don’t expect to be dead on accurate every time you shoot. You will have off days shooting a bow. Make sure he doesn’t take it too serious. Keep it fun. Tie some balloons on the target and have him shoot at those. Only allow him to shoot the bow if you’re present. This will let him know that it’s not a toy and there’s a proper way to shoot it.

If you go to increase the draw weight, do it after he finishes practicing one day and don’t let him see you do it. Them knowing it gets in their head sometimes. That what I always did with my son. He started shooting when he was 6 and was traveling all over the eastern US by the time he was 7 shooting in and placing in national level tournaments. The number one thing is to have patience.

Yep! I can't add anything to that. Great advice Sonny!

Thanks guys

Get an adjustable youth sized release. Adult releases are not for kids, trying to learn how to shoot a bow. Like Shaw said, he'll be trying to reach out to get the trigger. I'd start him on the release because for my 2, it was easier for them to repeatedly shoot accurately with the release (they like hitting what they are aiming at or at least close to it) than it was with fingers. Get back on here in a couple years and remind me when he gets to be 8 or 9. I should have a couple good youth bows freed up by then that he could have to chose from. One is a bowtech and the other is a PSE. Fully adjustable DL and poundage. My two boys shot them from 8 til about 12 or 13 and both killed their first bow deer with them. My nephews are currently using them now or I'd offer them up today.

Make it fun for him and expect to loose a few arrows along the way. LOL

Thanks abolt

I got my two little bows at 7 or 8 and quickly realized they were too dangerous for them. They shot them fine but I could not think of anything but them playing around and shooting each other, me or the dog. So those bows disdappeared and now at 11 I think they are close to capable of having one.

Hope he is safe and has fun shooting it! Shaw nailed the advice part

This one doesn’t get shit unless I’m with him. But I could probably shoot you with it and you would laugh at me. But we treat it like we should, as well as the red rider… he is doing great for his age and equipment. Maybe he can keep up the desire to shoot it..

Emphasis on focusing on his target more than trying to hold the pins still on the target.

I think the book was Byron Ferguson's "Become the Arrow"? I used that term alot when teaching my group to shoot.

Patience

With my son and the smaller bows, I noticed that they became much more accurate once the draw weight increased. With the draw weight very low, there didn't seem to be enough tension to hold everything straight. Improper form really affected accuracy. My point being to be patient. As they get stronger, the accuracy will come. Don't overcoach too early.