Archery is a very mentally challenging sport. When I shot NASP, I would always get anxious before big tournaments. Many might think I was never nervous, but there were times I could barely keep my composure. On the outside I may have looked calm and collected, but on the inside my brain was running 100 miles per hour. It took a while to be able to control my nerves too.
From the time I started shooting NASP in 8th grade, through my sophomore year I still couldn’t quite get over this nervousness. In some tournaments, I would have a clean round going and then I would start thinking about my score and the what if’s, get physically shaky and shoot a few bad arrows. When my junior year rolled around, I finally realized the key to controlling my nervousness. This ultimately led to three 300s in that season.
What I learned about myself that season is also the most valuable tip I can give any young archer. Be fully confident in your abilities and the work you have put into developing them. Before I shoot each round I tell myself to control only what I can control at that time which for NASP is the next 5 arrows and shoot to the best of my ability. When I did, this I would still be shaky until I drew back, and then my mind would go blank until after I executed the shot. The nervousness will still come, but when you become confident in your ability you can channel that nervousness into focus and fuel to do your best.
What I learned about myself that season is also the most valuable tip I can give any young archer. Be fully confident in your abilities, and the work you have put into developing them.
Before I shot each round, I would tell myself to control only what I could control at that time which was the next 5 arrows and shoot to the best of my ability. When I did this, I would still be shaky until I drew back, and then my mind would go blank until after I executed the shot.
Your nervousness will still come, but becoming confident in your ability will allow you to channel that nervousness into focus and fuel to perform your best.
