Adleigh Lewis, February – Imagine you’re at an archery tournament, waiting patiently for everyone to finish shooting. Suddenly, you hear three whistle beeps, signaling that it’s time to retrieve your arrows. You walk to your target, score your partner’s shots, and they score yours. As soon as you return to the shooting line, your parents ask, “What did you shoot that round?” How does that make you feel?
Many parents keep track of their child’s scores during tournaments. While this can be beneficial, it may also have a negative impact on an archer’s experience. On the one hand, tracking scores helps identify strengths and weaknesses in different rounds or distances. It also provides a quick way to review the overall performance at the end of the tournament. However, for some archers, parental involvement in scoring can add extra pressure and cause unnecessary stress.
Maintaining a positive mindset during a tournament is crucial because stress often leads to poor performance. It’s also important to ensure that archery remains an enjoyable and fulfilling activity. If a parent asks for a score and reacts with disappointment—whether through their words, tone, or body language—the archer may feel discouraged. This added pressure can negatively affect confidence and focus. In contrast, supportive parents can uplift their child, encouraging them to stay motivated regardless of their score.
Some parents may argue that tracking scores allows them to stay informed more quickly. However, in my opinion, this is unnecessary. After the tournament, archers can simply take a picture of their scorecard and total their points with a calculator. Additionally, scores are posted on the NASP® website shortly after the event, making them easily accessible.
That said, some archers appreciate their parents keeping track of scores because it makes them feel supported and valued. Others, however, may find it overwhelming. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer—this is a personal decision that should be discussed between parents and their child. The most important thing to remember is that archery should be about enjoyment and personal growth, not just scores.
