Letisia Carranza, February – Let’s be honest, this question is a personal one that not one person can answer for every archer out there. I’ll tell you what I believe goes through archers but I’ll start with my mind first.
First, I encourage myself by thinking that I can do this. I remember what to do when I shoot; slow down, pause while drawing string back, don’t move your hand while releasing, and focus on the target, not the audience or parents. Sometimes I sing a song in my mind, making me focus in.
Now, on to other archers out there. I believe that you guys do the same things that I do, but yet, some archers discourage themself. Like most coaches say, “You can’t do it if your mind has taken over you and not your heart.” Or your passion to be exact. I believe that most archers have started to, or have been, discouraged themselves before. Some archers I know still are. I used to be like that until I started to encourage myself and let my passion for archery take over. I’m not the best, but I’m not the worst.
It’s not easy for archers to escape their discouraged mind. Now, I think that every archer’s mind is different, but if you were to split an archer’s mind into groups you would have the courageous ones, the dishonest/corrupted mind, the passionate minds, and the compassionate ones.
The courageous ones are archers that have a caring and courageous spirit. Ones that make you smile and allow you to believe in yourself. Archers who always try to make your day.
The dishonest/corrupted minds believe they will never be good enough to place. They think they can’t do it, crying if even one shot is bad. They can be sensitive when trying to comfort them. Sometimes, not all of the time, they think they will never improve no matter how hard they try.
The passionate minds are people who love what they do and will try to improve their skills all of the time. They show the passionate spirit they have for archery even in tournaments, always taking them seriously.
The compassionate ones are people who have a fair-mind. These archers believe in themselves. They believe that they can place but they also believe that they aren’t better than everyone else. Their spirits only want people to have the chance to live their dreams.
This is just what I believe about the way most archers think. I believe that I am one of the compassionate ones because I know I am not better than every other archer but I shoot well. I believe I will improve, like everyone else will, even if it takes time. I play to play, through my whole middle school and high school years. In all, this is what I believe goes through an archer’s mind while shooting.
What type of archer do you think you are?