6 Mistakes Every Intermediate Archer Makes, And We Made Them Too!

Summary

In this insightful conversation, Coach Ash Morgan and Mike dive into the common mistakes made by intermediate archers and how to overcome them. From the importance of treating the release as the beginning of the shot, to the need for consistent competition experience, they discuss how posture, equipment adjustments, and focus can impact performance. Ash highlights the critical role of the release aid for compound archers and stresses the importance of prioritizing key areas for improvement. This conversation provides valuable lessons for archers aiming to take their skills to the next level.

Takeaways

• 😀 Takeaway 1: The release should be viewed as the beginning of the shot, not the end. Focusing on a snappy release can improve the overall execution of the shot.
• 😀 Takeaway 2: Competing frequently, ideally one competition per month, helps intermediate archers build routine and comfort in competition environments, leading to better performance.
• 😀 Takeaway 3: Waiting until you're 'ready' to compete is a mistake; competing earlier allows for faster learning and adaptation, leading to overall improvement.
• 😀 Takeaway 4: Posture plays a critical role in archery. Proper alignment, especially with the spine, helps ensure that your shot mechanics are more controlled and effective.
• 😀 Takeaway 5: It's essential to adjust your sight frequently during competition to adapt to changing conditions, even if it feels like your sight is already set.
• 😀 Takeaway 6: Continuously moving your sight during competitions can help you maximize your score, particularly if you notice trends such as shooting low or high consistently.
• 😀 Takeaway 7: It's important to focus on one key aspect at a time in training, rather than trying to fix multiple aspects of your technique simultaneously, which can lead to confusion and fatigue.
• 😀 Takeaway 8: During competition, prioritize maximizing your score rather than focusing on perfecting every technique detail. Small adjustments like sight changes can make a big difference.
• 😀 Takeaway 9: The most significant factor in performance for compound archers is mastering the release aid. Focusing on this technique can improve scores significantly, even if other factors are less than perfect.
• 😀 Takeaway 10: Coaches should focus on fixing the most impactful issues first, even if they seem minor, as correcting bigger problems (like the release) can lead to the most substantial improvements in performance.

Q & A

What is the first mistake intermediate archers often make according to Ash Morgan?

Ash Morgan explains that intermediate archers often think of the release as the end of the shot, when in fact, it should be viewed as the beginning. They focus so much on preparing their hand, hook, and full draw that once the clicker goes off, they think their job is done. This mindset leads to a collapse in the shot, as they don't focus enough on delivering the arrow properly during the release.

Why is it important for intermediate archers to participate in more competitions?

Ash emphasizes that practicing only a few times a year or avoiding competitions until an archer feels 'ready' can limit their growth. By competing more frequently, archers can build routine, improve their performance under competition conditions, and develop confidence. Without enough competitions, even strong practice results may not translate into competition success.

What is a common issue related to the posture of intermediate archers?

Ash points out that many intermediate archers have poor posture, which affects their shot. Variations in the spine, such as leaning back or other misalignments, can lead to a lack of awareness of what's happening in the rest of the shot, especially with the shoulders. A solid posture is crucial for feeling and correcting subtle issues in the shot.

What advice does Ash give about moving the sight on the bow?

Ash advises that many intermediate archers fail to adjust their sight often enough, especially in response to changing conditions. Even experienced archers like Larry Godfrey adjust their sight during a competition. Ash recommends that archers should adjust their sight regularly to keep their arrows on target, even if conditions or fatigue shift throughout the day.

Why should intermediate archers avoid focusing on too many aspects of their technique at once?

Ash warns that trying to work on multiple aspects of technique simultaneously can overwhelm an archer. It's better to focus on one key area per training session to make meaningful progress. Trying to improve too many elements at once can lead to confusion and fatigue without significant improvement.

How does Ash suggest structuring training sessions for maximum improvement?

Ash recommends that archers focus on one main thing during a training session. If an archer is working on their foot position or bow hand, they can think about that at the start of the shot. Only after that, they can focus on other elements of the shot. The key is to avoid overloading the brain with multiple execution points at once.

What is the biggest factor in improving compound archery performance?

Ash explains that for compound archers, the release is the single most important factor in improving performance. Many archers spend too much time on perfecting alignment or bow tuning, but the release can contribute much more significantly to overall score improvement. Ash stresses that focusing on the release technique can make a much larger difference than other technical adjustments.

How does Ash suggest prioritizing which aspect of technique to work on?

Ash advises that archers and coaches should prioritize the aspect that is costing the most points in their performance. Instead of working on minor issues that only impact the score by a few points, focus on fixing the major issues, like release, which can make a significant difference in the overall score.

How does Ash's coaching philosophy differ from other coaches in terms of technical adjustments?

Ash believes in prioritizing the most impactful issue rather than trying to fix every small technical flaw. While other coaches might focus on minor details, Ash's approach is to put effort into the most significant performance improvement, even if it means leaving smaller issues unaddressed for the time being.

What role does the release play in the performance of recurve archers?

Ash acknowledges that while the release is crucial for both compound and recurve archers, recurve archers need to have a few more prerequisites in place, such as proper shoulder alignment, to ensure a good release. In compound archery, the release aid helps to compensate for some alignment issues, whereas in recurve, these issues can be more limiting if the release technique isn't executed properly.