I am an Iowa girl turned Coloradan and I am addicted to coffee and archery. I started archery over five years ago as a way to spend time with my sister, who I was currently driving to the archery range everyday of the week for multiple hours at a time. From my first shot my personal Coach started teaching me not just how to shoot, but how to coach; what phrases get the concept across best, or why steps are taught in a certain order. I immediately fell in love with the sport and the community. A year into shooting I was helping coach my local JOAD team. Archery changed my life in so many ways, so getting other people involved and passing on what I learned was easy.

In Iowa, I have set and have held all state records. Then I moved to the national level competitions. As I've competed in the United States Archery Team Qualifier Events I've gained a lot of experience and knowledge that has been helpful for coaching archers who aspire to make the U.S. team. I have been ranked in the top 25 Women in the U.S. for the last three years and have been sponsored by Shibuya Archery, Wifler Industries, Conquest Archery, and Scheels, and been accepted to trial for a place as a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.

With my reputation as an athlete came more opportunities to coach. I became the head coach for Coe College. Archery was successfully added as a varsity sport at this school. Out of the eight varsity athletes, and 15-20 recreational archers, two successfully placed in the top 25 of all collegiate athletes nationwide in their divisions. On top of the collegiate team, I have also coached several advanced archers, including Liberty Hofmaster and Ryland Roy, multiple local NASP champions and headed pilot programs for high school teams. I have also been on the USA Archery International Para Team staff for the last two years.

Cost

Intro Session: 30 min, FREE + equipment rental(if necessary)

-An easy session to get to know each other and assess if we will work well together

-Allows me to gauge current proficiency and make a coaching plan

Hourly Session: 1hr/$65

-I recommend one session per week, this is flexible to the athletes preferences and goals.

Virtual Session: 1hr/$60

-Good for travel or athletes who are not local to the Denver, CO area.

SCHEDULE YOUR INTRO LESSON

My Coaching Philosophy

Archery is a sport where the athlete must be present mentally, emotionally, and physically to achieve the desired results. Personally, it is a sport that has changed my life, not just as an athlete, but as a person. Archery teaches you to be a good self-coach, and in that confidence, a positive self-image, and how to support, motivate, and encourage oneself. It teaches you how to work hard and find solutions to problems. More importantly, it teaches you the value of honesty and the respect of those ahead of you in your sport and how to turn around and pave a better way for the archers behind you.

My job as a coach is to lead and guide you as you learn individually all these things through your journey. To do that well calls for individuality of training and planning. A dedication to finding how best to lead you to your best.

Tools I use to do this include goal setting, arrow volume charting and planning, tuning, fitness plans and goal setting and performance journaling. All these steps are athlete led and the goal is always to create an easy and detailed plan on how to get you to your goal as efficiently as possible.

My goal is to coach for YOU, with the understanding in mind that it's not always the goals that are the achievements, but where the journey takes you as an athlete and what it teaches you that will help you succeed best in sport and life.

Experience & Certifications

"Layel has been working with me for close to two years now. When she started with me I had problems with pain, which previous coaches had chalked up to a strength or stamina problem, myself included. She worked with me to tweak my form to where I understood better what I was doing and to where it didn't hurt. It was not an easy or quick process. I've worked with coaches of similar knowledge before, but not one that cares as much as she does."

Ethan Frana

Coe College Student Athlete

"I have been working with Layel for a little over a year. I started brand new to archery, and was confident enough to go to the Vegas shoot by my 'one-year anniversary' of participating in this sport! Layel is patient, kind, and exceptionally supportive, no matter your skill level"

Rachel Rickert

Coe College Coach and former Athlete

"Layel’s understanding and knowledge of coaching has progressed faster than any other athlete I know. I have worked with her since day one of my archery career. She takes the time to understand not only how equipment and form works, but how to articulate it so that any athlete can comprehend it. She takes the time to get to know you and understand how your brain processes information and how best to communicate with you. If there is anything in question she takes the time to talk it out, research and find knowledgeable sources to give extra input. From beginner to advanced she is willing to invest her time and energy to make you the best athlete you can be!"

Liberty Hofmaster

Elite Athlete

Instructor Review Layel Mather

USA Archery Level 3 Instructor Training

Upon the successful completion of USA Archery Level 3 Instructor Training, I would like to take

a moment to thank Leyel Grace Mather on her guidance throughout the course and its many

subject matter. Leyel was concise and informative on the modules that were most important to

our success as students. She used her knowledge of the subject matter to “drill down” and

condensed the large amount of information provided, guiding us through the finer points that

matter. I particularly enjoyed our “chasing of the rabbits” discussion which made the course

organic and light-hearted. Don’t get me wrong, she was quick to reel us back in, keeping our

focus directed on the task at hand. As a long time, late stage archery coach and Corporate

professional, I was apprehensive on how I would take to the teachings and jargon that could be

the downfall of my course success. Leyel handled my ego and highly opinionated self like a

true professional. She was quick to empathize when there was common understanding and

stood her ground and re-directed me, when applicable, with true professionalism and grace. I

admire her for tackling a tough student in me. I wish Leyel continued success in her archery

and instructional endeavors and will highly recommend her for any potential student that is

seeking higher education in the USA Archery world.

Sincerely,

Scott Hamlin

Professional Archer

Level 3 USA Archery Instructor

Darton, Black Eagle, Conquest Southwest Sales Director

Vice President Enduring Freedom Co. 501C3

Reach out

SCHEDULE YOUR INTRO LESSON