January – NASP® means many things to different people. Some archers think it’s about getting a high score, while others may think it’s about being a perfect shooter. To me, NASP® means concentrating, self-improvement, being on a team, accomplishing self-made goals, and doing your best. All of these are not only important in archery but can also be really helpful in life.
NASP® means concentrating. I focus on several things while I shoot so I can be consistent and improve my shot. One thing I concentrate on is doing each of the 11 steps slowly and accurately. Each step is really important, so when I focus on doing them consistently, I feel more confident in my shot. While doing the steps, I also concentrate on my breathing and locking in on my aim spot. No matter where my arrow lands—whether it’s a good shot or not—I have to hold my concentration and focus on the next arrow. If I get upset about a bad arrow, it’s hard, but I remind myself to focus on improving the next one.
I also think NASP® promotes self-improvement. It helps you improve your mental game by having supportive teammates and coaches. Being encouraged by positive coaches and teammates makes you want to try harder and be a good teammate. It has also made me a more confident person. When I’m not shooting my best, having those teammates around to give me a pep talk makes a big difference. I feel like I’ve learned so much about archery, and I love when our elementary archers ask me to help them. The confidence I’ve gained from archery has helped me in so many ways beyond the sport.
NASP® has also taught me how to set goals, work hard to accomplish them, and deal with the frustration of not meeting goals right away. I’ve reached many goals in NASP®, like getting my personal best and scoring my first 50. These accomplishments are things I worked hard for and made happen. Everyone’s goals look different, and that’s okay. Some people may have a goal of scoring red or better for an entire tournament, while others might simply aim to hit the target every time. Dealing with disappointment is also a part of meeting goals. Learning how to manage my emotions when an arrow doesn’t go where I want or when I don’t get the score I hoped for is a skill that will help me in life. Being in control of our emotions is another important tool for success.
Doing my best is another thing I think of when I think of NASP®. My coaches know how hard we work to be the best archers we can be, but they also remind us that everyone has bad days. They always tell us that as long as we’re doing our best, that’s all that matters. Being prepared and confident in our shooting helps us feel good about knowing we truly did our best.
So to me, NASP® means concentrating, being on a team, accomplishing goals, self-improvement, and doing your best.
