Lydia Windell, May – Examining the National Archery in the Schools Program’s rules, there is no clear rule stating archers cannot talk to each other on the line. The only rule regarding this is that archers cannot talk to their coaches while on the shooting line. That being said, if your school’s archery club operates like mine, our rule at tournaments is to not speak on the line.
I personally enjoy making friends at tournaments, despite how tense the competition may seem, so I have always struggled with my club’s rule. I understand how talking can be a distraction, so I have learned when to refrain from speaking during tournaments. But, if you’re ever stuck with someone like me, who wants to keep talking, here are some kind ways to ask them to stop. Although it is not against the rules to talk to other students, they do not have to respond. So never feel pressured to respond to someone if you are trying to focus during a tournament. More so, there is nothing wrong with simply asking someone to not talk to you on the line. You can make it clear you would like to focus, and that you would be happy to continue the conversation after you both are done shooting. That being said, I have heard of people continuing to disrupt the archers around them despite complaints. In situations like this, I would advise someone to just try your best to ignore them.
Unfortunately, people will be disruptive if they’d like to, and the same applies in archery. So, if you are ever stuck shooting with someone who is annoying you, even if that is with just friendly banter, first ask politely for them to stop. If it continues, consider talking to your coach about it so they can talk with the other coach, but ultimately try your best to focus on your task at hand: shooting your bow and having fun! Sometimes there will be factors outside of your control in tournaments, so maybe next time you find yourself with an annoying peer, try to learn a lesson of staying focused. And most importantly, do not allow yourself to become too frustrated, or else your emotions will likely show in your score. Overall, just try to know when it is best to talk during competition and try to be kind to the archers around you, regardless of if they are applying the same ideal or not.
