Book Review — Why You Suck at Archery by Steve Ruis
At-a-Glance
| Pages | First published | ISBN-13 | Format(s) | Goodreads rating* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 1 Nov 2012 | 978-0984886036 | Paperback & Kindle | 4.16 / 5 |
*Rating snapshot, May 2025
What’s Inside the Quiver
- “28 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Shot” – a rapid-fire rundown of the most common form faults and kit sins Ruis sees as a Level 4 USA Archery and NFAA Master Coach. No sugar-coating, just straight talk and fixes you can try at your next session.
- “The Head-Game” – drills and mindset tweaks to keep the gremlins quiet when you’re on the shooting line. Think of it as mental SPT for grown-ups.
Hits
- Bite-sized fixes. Each fault gets a concise explanation and a remedy you can test in the very next end — perfect for practice notebooks.
- Coach’s credibility. Decades on the line and in the coaching tent keep the advice grounded in real-world experience, not armchair theory.
- Portable price & length. About a tenner and just 110 pages — lighter than a dozen pin nocks and small enough for the top pocket of your bow case.
Near-Misses
- No full form guide. True beginners will still want a more structured “how to shoot” manual alongside it.
- Sparse illustrations. Visual learners may wish for more photos or diagrams — though the brevity keeps the cost down.
Who Will Get the Most from It?
- Improvers stuck at the same classification or handicap.
- Coaches hunting for fresh ways to explain stubborn habits.
- Fans of Ruis’ other titles (The Archery Drill Book, Precision Archery) who want a faster, cheekier read.
My Take
I read Why You Suck at Archery during my coaching course. It’s not a magic pill, but it is the brisk kick in the butt (see what I did there? 🤪) we all need from time to time.
Freddy Score: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5)
Ready to stop sucking?
👉 Order your copy through Amazon and start turning “flyers” into golds.
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