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Archery & Coaching

Archery & Coaching

Bio:

Melissa Jo Hill is a USA Archery Level 4 Coach and JOAD head coach who specializes in barebow archery, both as a coach and as a competitive archer. She has been involved in archery since childhood, learning the sport from her father, a bowyer who introduced her to traditional equipment and craftsmanship. Melissa has coached youth archers to state records, national virtual tournament podiums, and a national league championship. She is also an advocate for safe, ethical bowhunting and its role in conservation and natural resource management. Her approach to coaching emphasizes clear fundamentals, steady progression, and fostering a genuine love for the sport.

Credentials

  • USA Archery Level 4 Coach with competitive experience in barebow archery.
  • JOAD Head Coach at Ithaca Archery, leading youth development programs and competitive readiness training.
  • Former archery instructor at Cornell University, teaching Physical Education archery courses for undergraduate students.
  • Taught youth archers ages 8–12 at the Ithaca YMCA, introducing foundational form, safety, and confidence-building skills.
  • Develop inclusive, adaptive coaching strategies that support athletes of varied abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles.
  • Integrate movement science, personal training (NASM-CPT), and yoga (RYS 200) into technique instruction for improved posture, alignment, and body awareness.
  • Advocate for safe, ethical bowhunting as part of conservation and natural resource stewardship.
  • Mentor athletes in goal-setting, competition preparation, and sustainable long-term skill development.
  • Foster a supportive range environment that prioritizes safety, respect, belonging, and athlete confidence.

My coaching philosophy

  • Archery is for everyone. There is no single way to look, move, or show up that makes someone an “archer.” The range should be a place where every athlete can see themselves reflected and welcomed.
  • You don’t have to feel athletic — archery can make you an athlete. Skill comes from learning, repetition, and body awareness, not from being naturally “sporty.” Thoughtful, analytical people often thrive.
  • Everyone starts out a beginner, and beginners deserve patience. First arrows rarely fly true. Confusion, awkwardness, and inconsistency are normal and expected — not a reason to doubt your place on the line.
  • The steps matter more than instinct. No one is born knowing how to shoot a bow. Archery is a learned process built on form, feedback, and mindful repetition.
  • Progress comes from presence, not power. It’s not about drawing the heaviest bow or muscling your way through. It’s about breath, alignment, awareness, and making one good decision at a time.
  • Intellect is an asset. Understanding physics, physiology, and the reasoning behind technique helps archers grow faster and feel more grounded in their form.
  • Feedback is information, not judgment. Mistakes aren’t failures — they’re data points that teach an archer how to adjust, adapt, and develop consistency.
  • Coaching is adaptation, not expectation. If an athlete struggles with strength, focus, or mechanics, it’s the coach’s job to adjust equipment, instruction, or drills so the athlete can succeed.
  • Safety, respect, and belonging shape the range environment. The line should always be a place free from gatekeeping, posturing, or judgment. Everyone deserves the psychological safety to learn.
  • Identity has no bearing on ability. Gender, body type, size, race, queerness, background — none of these determine whether someone “belongs” in archery. Skill and passion are what matter.
  • Archery connects us to lineage and possibility. Whether through traditional roots or modern technique, there is something deeply human in learning to shoot — a spark that blends discipline, curiosity, and joy.
  • Representation matters. Athletes thrive when they can see a version of themselves in the community, on the line, and in leadership roles. Creating that visibility is part of the work.
  • Fun is essential. When students stay present, curious, and engaged, the sport becomes both growth-oriented and joyful — and that joy fuels long-term development.

Training & certifications

Archery & Sport Instruction

  • USA Archery Level 4 Coach
  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT)
  • Registered Yoga Teacher (RYS 200)

Safety & Preparedness

  • Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
  • Mental Health First Aid Certification