Try Out for the Team

Join Sarasota Archery Academy

Southwest Florida’s only USA Archery Level 3 NTS coached competitive program. Tryouts open for the 2026 season.

SAA is a tryout-based competitive team for youth archers ages 8 to 20. Athletes join either the X-Ring program or our Upper 12’s elite 3D archery track. Tryouts run as a private lesson with Coach Rob — a conversation with parent and athlete plus an on-range shooting evaluation. Equipment is provided.

Sarasota Archery Academy youth archer at full draw — USA Archery Level 3 NTS coached training in Sarasota, Florida

Quick Answer

How do I join Sarasota Archery Academy?

To try out for SAA, email Coach Rob at info@sarasotaarcheryacademy.com to schedule an evaluation. The tryout runs as a private lesson — a conversation with the parent and athlete followed by an on-range shooting evaluation. Academy bows are provided, so no equipment is required to try out. Athletes ages 8 to 20 are eligible; readiness is evaluated case by case. Accepted athletes join either the X-Ring program ($200 / month) or the Upper 12’s elite track ($300 / month). Practice is Monday and Thursday, 5 to 8 PM, at 7524 Castle Dr, Sarasota.

Tryout Snapshot
Tryout Format
Private Lesson
Evaluated as a paid private lesson with Coach Rob, including conversation and on-range shooting.

Equipment
Provided
Academy bows are available for the tryout. Athletes do not need their own gear to try out.

Age
Ages 8 – 20
Eligibility is assessed case by case based on readiness and coachability rather than a hard age cutoff.

Programs
X-Ring or Upper 12’s
X-Ring program is $200 / month. Upper 12’s elite competitive track is $300 / month.

Practice
Mon & Thu
5 to 8 PM at 7524 Castle Dr, Sarasota, FL 34240. Team practice by affiliation only.

Apply
Email Coach Rob
Email info@sarasotaarcheryacademy.com or call (941) 500-9331 to schedule your tryout.

The Process

What to Expect at Your Tryout

The tryout is intentionally low-pressure. It’s structured as a paid private lesson — the same way a new student would meet any coach — so the athlete gets real coaching value out of the session whether or not they end up joining the team. The format is consistent for everyone:

  1. Email Coach Rob. Send a short note to info@sarasotaarcheryacademy.com with the athlete’s name, age, and any prior archery experience. We respond within 48 hours.
  2. Schedule the session. We’ll find a time that works around the regular Monday and Thursday practice schedule. Allow about an hour at the range.
  3. Show up at 7524 Castle Dr, Sarasota. Bring water, closed-toe shoes, and an arm guard if you have one. Don’t worry about a bow — we’ll set you up with academy equipment.
  4. Conversation first. Coach Rob talks with the parent and athlete about goals, schedule, and what the team commitment actually looks like week to week.
  5. On-range evaluation. The athlete shoots while Coach Rob assesses form, focus, and coachability. There is no scoring threshold to pass; this is about fit.
  6. Decision and placement. If it’s a good fit, Coach Rob will recommend either the X-Ring program or the Upper 12’s track based on the athlete’s current level and goals.

Two Tracks

X-Ring & Upper 12’s

X-Ring Program

$200 / month

The foundational competitive track. Twice-weekly coached practice in USA Archery’s indoor 18-meter and outdoor 720-round formats. X-Ring athletes are eligible for all JOAD achievement awards and are developed toward regional and national tournament participation. Open to athletes ages 8 to 20 who pass the tryout evaluation.

Upper 12’s

$300 / month

The elite competitive track. For athletes scoring at the top of their division and pursuing serious national-level competition and college recruitment. Includes more intensive coaching, advanced format work, and tournament preparation. Placement is by Coach Rob’s invitation based on demonstrated performance.

Who We’re Looking For

The Right Fit

SAA is a competitive team, not a recreational class. Athletes who thrive here share a few traits regardless of starting skill level:

  • Coachable. Open to feedback, willing to make form changes, comfortable being corrected.
  • Focused. Able to maintain attention through a multi-hour practice and stay engaged on the line.
  • Committed. Twice-weekly practice (Monday and Thursday, 5 to 8 PM) is the minimum baseline. Tournament weekends are common.
  • Supported at home. Parents committed to transport and to the schedule. Archery is an individual sport with a team structure — family engagement matters.

Prior archery experience is not required. We accept first-time archers as well as athletes with previous club experience. What we evaluate at the tryout is potential, attitude, and fit — not current scoring.

Where & When

Practice Schedule

Monday & Thursday — 5:00 to 8:00 PM

7524 Castle Dr
Sarasota, FL 34240

Team practice by affiliation only. Tryout sessions are scheduled separately.

Where our families come from. Our training facility is in Sarasota, but we draw competitive archers from across Southwest Florida — Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, North Port, and the Sarasota Islands.

Ready to Try Out?

Email Coach Rob

The fastest way to start is a short email. Include the athlete’s name, age, any previous archery experience (none is fine), and a parent contact. We respond within 48 hours and schedule the tryout from there.

Get Started

Express Your Interest

Fill out the form below and we will be in touch about upcoming tryout opportunities.

Common Questions

Tryout FAQ

Do I need experience to try out?
No. SAA accepts athletes at all skill levels, from first-time archers to experienced competitors. The tryout evaluates potential, focus, and coachability — not current scoring. Equipment is provided so athletes do not need their own bow.

What does the tryout cost?
The tryout is structured as a paid private lesson with Coach Rob. The athlete gets real coaching value out of the session whether or not they end up joining the team. Email Coach Rob for the current private lesson rate when you schedule.

What does it cost to be on the team?
The X-Ring program is $200 per month. The Upper 12’s elite competitive track is $300 per month. Both include twice-weekly coached practice (Monday and Thursday, 5 to 8 PM) and access to USA Archery competition pathway support. For the complete picture of program dues, equipment, memberships, and tournaments across a full competitive season, see our breakdown of what competitive archery actually costs.

What’s the difference between X-Ring and Upper 12’s?
X-Ring is the foundational competitive program. Upper 12’s is the elite track for athletes scoring at the top of their division and pursuing national-level competition. Placement in Upper 12’s is by Coach Rob’s invitation based on demonstrated performance — athletes typically start in X-Ring and earn placement up.

Is this a JOAD program?
Yes. SAA’s X-Ring program is a USA Archery member program, and athletes train in the same indoor 18-meter and outdoor 720-round formats used in JOAD competition. Athletes are eligible for all JOAD achievement awards including star pins, the 6-Gold pin, and the Olympian award levels. Learn more about the JOAD pathway here.

What ages do you accept?
Ages 8 through 20. Younger athletes are evaluated case by case based on readiness and coachability rather than a hard age cutoff. Parents of younger archers are welcome to reach out directly to Coach Rob.

How quickly will I hear back?
Coach Rob responds to all tryout inquiries within 48 hours. For time-sensitive questions, note that in your subject line.

Start the Conversation

Sarasota Archery Academy is Southwest Florida’s only competitive USA Archery training program with Level 3 NTS certified coaching. Tryouts for the 2026 season are open now.

Email Coach Rob