A Checklist of Checklists
There’s no mistaking the amount of things going on in order for a competitive archer to execute a shot on the line. Given the criticality of that process, from the very beginnings of an archer’s journey, they are often taught to create a checklist of steps they must run through before, during and throughout the shot.
And then there is the preparation aspect of attending an event. Every archer knows that in the typical overwhelming excitement, equipment can be left behind, athlete discipline can fall by the wayside, and even simple choices like what snacks or drinks to bring can feel overwhelming. So, most archers logically create a helpful pre-event checklist.
These two items are certainly the most common, but how much thought is given to mental check-listing other important aspects of a good shooting experience?
I have personally witnessed on multiple occasions, a variety of archers of all skill levels, bring equipment to the shooting line that wasn’t line ready. Everything from loose components, to mis-adjusted arrow rests, and even limbs set way out of tiller.
While a skilled archer should typically be capable of correcting many issues right on the line as discussed previously, scoring opportunity and confidence are often lost in the wake of the discovery and correction. Newer archers may often not even notice and place the fault erroneously on their execution; even as their setup can be heard rattling loudly from four lanes away.
Check-listing key aspects of your current state of tune, and running through it before and periodically during the event gives the archer a necessary ‘check engine’ light; without it, the archer is relying on the mechanical integrity of their equipment, even though Murphy’s Law can and often does make an untimely appearance.
As an archer, it will be important to distinguish what things are most critical for you to personally checklist, but when I coach, I always strongly advocate including a focused equipment check as a regular part of your routine; 30 seconds of careful attention here or there can easily make or break an archers event experience.
Written by: Elton Wong, Barebow Basics
Leave a comment