• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Learn About NASP
        • What is NASP

          What is NASP (Mission and Principles)
        • Bring NASP To Your School

          Bring NASP To Your School
        • Magic of NASP

          Magic of NASP - By the Numbers
        • NASP Leadership

          Meet the Leadership of NASP
        • Find Your Local Coordinator

          Find your local Coordinator
        • News & Updates

          News & Updates
        • Student Survey

          Student SurveyIcon
        • Impact

          How NASP has changed lives
        • Testimonials

          Testimonials
        • FAQ

          Frequently Asked Questions
        • Promo Videos

          NASP Promo videos
        • Find us on YouTube

          Find us on YouTube
  • Active in NASP
        • Student/Archer

          Student/Archer
          • Tournament Listings and Results
          • Success & Tips from Archers
          • Explore NASP® videos/Learning Center
          • NASP 300 Club
          • On Target for Life
          • Academic Archer
          • More Archery Opportunities
        • Parent Guardian

          Parent/Guardian
          • Program Funding Ideas
          • Scholarship RulesIcon
          • Scholarship Payment RequestIcon
          • On Target for Life
        • Instructor/Coach

          Instructor/Coach
          • Tournament Listings and Results
          • Explore NASP® videos/Learning Center
          • On Target for Life
          • Academic Archer
          • Instructor Liability InsuranceIcon
        • BAI –

          BAI
          • BAI Login/Report/Manage
          • BAI Overview
          • BAI Refresher videos and manual
          • BAI Certification Status
          • BAI Certification Retain/ReactivateIcon
  • Tournaments/Events
        • NASP® Tournaments Overview

          NASP® Tournaments Overview
        • National Event Calendar

          National Event Calendar
        • Tournament Website

          Tournament Website
        • NASP 300 Club

          NASP 300 Club
        • Do I Qualify for Nationals

          Do I Qualify to for NationalsIcon
        • Nat Tournament Scholarships

          2022 NASP Scholarship InformationIcon
        • Sample ScoreCard

          ScoreCard SampleIcon
        • NASP® Tournament Planning Guide

          NASP® Tournament HandbookIcon
        • Rules

          Tournament Rules

          National Rules - BullseyeIcon
          National Rules - 3DIcon
        • NASP Certificates

          NASP Certificates

          NASP Certificate of AchievementIcon
          State Tournament CertificateIcon
  • Learning Center
        • Learning Center

          Explore NASP® related videos
  • Equipment
        • store_product_notice

          Notice ordering equipment from NASP is for approved organizations only.

          If you would like to purchase equipment on your own, please visit our brand partner website.

          All pricing disclosed on this site are to approved organizations only and not to be resold.

          By submitting an order to NASP®, you agree these items will stay the property of the organization and will not be resold.

        • Equipment Overview

          Equipment Overview

          Learn more about our equipment.

        • Online Order/Quote

          Online Order/Quote

          Here you will be able to create a quote or place an order for your school.

        • Equipment Order Forms

          Equipment Order Forms

          All public schools and government agencies ordering arrows MUST complete the Federal Excise Tax Exemption Form (FET).

        • NASP Gear

          Order NASP Clothing and Awards
        • store_quote_notice

          Creating a Quote

          Quotes can be created by adding products to the cart. When all products have been added to cart proceed to the checkout and click on Create a Quote Button.

  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • NASP® Coordinators
  • I am Student/Parent Certified Instructor/Coach Administrator/Teacher Alumni Supporter/Sponsor/Donor
    • Student/Parent
          • What is NASP

            What is NASP

            NASP® is an activity that doesn’t discriminate based on popularity, athletic skill, gender, size, or academic ability.

          • How to bring NASP to your school

            How to bring NASP to your school

            NASP® (National Archery in the Schools Program) is first and foremost an in-school program.

          • Magic of NASP

            Magic of NASP

            By the Numbers

          • Safety

            Safety

            Safety review for all participants in NASP®

          • 11 Steps To Success

            11 Steps To Success

            Demonstrates the proper way to perform the 11 Steps to Archery Success.

          • Success & Tips

            Success & Tips

            Learn to shoot better with these tips from successful current and past NASP archers

          • Reducing Barriers

            Reducing barriers

            Reducing barriers so more students can experience NASP®!

          • Participate in National Competition

            NASP® Tournaments

            One of the most exciting aspects of the National Archery in the School Program are the competitions.

          • Funding Opportunities

            Funding Opportunities

            Possible Grant Opportunities & fundraise for your NASP® program

          • Scholarship Payment Rules/Request

            Scholarship RulesIcon
            Scholarship Payment RequestIcon
          • Programs

            Programs
            • On Target for Life
            • Academic Archer
          • NASP 300 Club

            NASP 300 Club

            When NASP® began in 2002, most thought that a perfect score of 300 was impossible.

          • Find your local Coordinators

            Find your local Coordinators

            Contact your regional state DNR NASP coordinator to find a class and register.

          • Archer Search

            Archer Search

            View past Schedule and Tournament History

          • More Archery Opportunities

            More Archery Opportunities

            USA, ISO, NFAA, Archery Canada

          • Collegiate (USA Archery)

            Collegiate (USA Archery)

            Find a Collegiate Team

          • News & Updates

            News & Updates

            Stay up-to-date with whats is going on in NASP®

    • Certified Instructor/Coach
          • Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) – Overview

            Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) - Overview

            NASP Instructor Overview, Becoming an Instructor, Requirements

          • Tournament Prep

            Tournament Prep

            Lane judge training & Scoring protocol

          • Become a Certified Instructor

            Become a Certified Instructor

            Find upcoming classes

          • Programs

            Programs
            • On Target for Life
            • Academic Archer
          • BAI Refresher

            BAI Refresher
            • ch1 - Range Set-Up & Safety
            • ch2 - Determining Eye Dominance
            • ch3 - Making a String Bow® Training Aid
            • ch4 - Eleven Steps to Archery Success
            • ch5 - Coaching Techniques
            • ch6 - Safety Orientation & Teaching A New Archer
            • ch7 - Running The Range
            • ch8 - The Bow Station
            • ch9 - The Arrow Station
          • BAI Login

            BAI Login
          • BAI Annual Reporting

            BAI Annual Reporting

            Submit your BAI Annual Report

          • BAI Certification Lookup

            BAI Certification Lookup
          • Instructor Liability Insurance

            Instructor Liability InsuranceIcon
          • Equipment

            • Main Equipment
            • 3D Targets/Nets
            • Scorecards/Paper Targets
            • Arrow Replacement Parts
            • Bow Parts
            • Target Replacement Items
            • Target Faces
            • Bowcases
            • Decals/Banners
            • Awards
            • Accessories
            • Miscellaneous
    • Administrator/Teacher
          • What is NASP

            What is NASP

            NASP® is an activity that doesn’t discriminate based on popularity, athletic skill, gender, size, or academic ability.

          • How to bring NASP to our school

            How to bring NASP to your school

            NASP® (National Archery in the Schools Program) is first and foremost an in-school program.

          • To the administrator considering NASP

            To the administrator considering NASP

            From the perspective of a former school administrator.

          • Reducing barriers

            Reducing barriers

            Reducing barriers so more students can experience NASP®!

          • Magic of NASP

            Magic of NASP

            By the Numbers

          • Academic impact of NASP

            Academic impact of NASP

            Participation in our program does not claim to increase math or reading scores but absolutely claims to positively enhance one important aspect of success in school; engagement.

          • Archery Curriculum

            Archery Curriculum
            Curriculum Middle SchoolIcon
            Curriculum ElementaryIcon
            Curriculum High SchoolIcon
          • Programs

            Programs
            • On Target for Life
            • Academic Archer
          • Funding Opportunities

            Funding Opportunities
            • Mathews Bow Raffles
            • Grants
          • 2017 Student Survey

            Student SurveyIcon
    • Alumni
          • Alumni Association Overview

            Alumni Association Overview
          • Join Our Alumni/Friends Association

            Join Our Alumni/Friends Association
          • Success & Impact

            Success & Impact

            Where are they now? See what these successful NASP alums are doing today.

          • Donate

            Donate

            Help support the growth of NASP® in your area. Donations will be used to support the growth of the Alumni Association and fund equipment grants for new NASP® schools.

          • Purchase Alumni Gear

            Purchase Alumni Gear
          • Featured Alumni

            Featured Alumni
          • Other Archery Options

            Other Archery Options

            There are numerous opportunities to try other types of Archery.

    • Supporter/Sponsor/Donor
          • Sponsors

            Sponsors

            View our current sponsor levels here

          • Sponsorship Levels

            Sponsorship Levels

            Would like to assist current and future student participants of NASP®

          • Become A Sponsor

            Become A Sponsor

            Contact us

          • Volunteer

            Volunteer

            NASP® relies on volunteers to help safely staff and manage our national events.

  • 0 items - $0.00
0 items - $0.00

NASP SchoolsNASP NASP Schools

National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)

  • Learn About NASP
        • What is NASP

          What is NASP (Mission and Principles)
        • Bring NASP To Your School

          Bring NASP To Your School
        • Magic of NASP

          Magic of NASP - By the Numbers
        • NASP Leadership

          Meet the Leadership of NASP
        • Find Your Local Coordinator

          Find your local Coordinator
        • News & Updates

          News & Updates
        • Student Survey

          Student SurveyIcon
        • Impact

          How NASP has changed lives
        • Testimonials

          Testimonials
        • FAQ

          Frequently Asked Questions
        • Promo Videos

          NASP Promo videos
        • Find us on YouTube

          Find us on YouTube
  • Active in NASP
        • Student/Archer

          Student/Archer
          • Tournament Listings and Results
          • Success & Tips from Archers
          • Explore NASP® videos/Learning Center
          • NASP 300 Club
          • On Target for Life
          • Academic Archer
          • More Archery Opportunities
        • Parent Guardian

          Parent/Guardian
          • Program Funding Ideas
          • Scholarship RulesIcon
          • Scholarship Payment RequestIcon
          • On Target for Life
        • Instructor/Coach

          Instructor/Coach
          • Tournament Listings and Results
          • Explore NASP® videos/Learning Center
          • On Target for Life
          • Academic Archer
          • Instructor Liability InsuranceIcon
        • BAI –

          BAI
          • BAI Login/Report/Manage
          • BAI Overview
          • BAI Refresher videos and manual
          • BAI Certification Status
          • BAI Certification Retain/ReactivateIcon
  • Tournaments/Events
        • NASP® Tournaments Overview

          NASP® Tournaments Overview
        • National Event Calendar

          National Event Calendar
        • Tournament Website

          Tournament Website
        • NASP 300 Club

          NASP 300 Club
        • Do I Qualify for Nationals

          Do I Qualify to for NationalsIcon
        • Nat Tournament Scholarships

          2022 NASP Scholarship InformationIcon
        • Sample ScoreCard

          ScoreCard SampleIcon
        • NASP® Tournament Planning Guide

          NASP® Tournament HandbookIcon
        • Rules

          Tournament Rules

          National Rules - BullseyeIcon
          National Rules - 3DIcon
        • NASP Certificates

          NASP Certificates

          NASP Certificate of AchievementIcon
          State Tournament CertificateIcon
  • Learning Center
        • Learning Center

          Explore NASP® related videos
  • Equipment
        • store_product_notice

          Notice ordering equipment from NASP is for approved organizations only.

          If you would like to purchase equipment on your own, please visit our brand partner website.

          All pricing disclosed on this site are to approved organizations only and not to be resold.

          By submitting an order to NASP®, you agree these items will stay the property of the organization and will not be resold.

        • Equipment Overview

          Equipment Overview

          Learn more about our equipment.

        • Online Order/Quote

          Online Order/Quote

          Here you will be able to create a quote or place an order for your school.

        • Equipment Order Forms

          Equipment Order Forms

          All public schools and government agencies ordering arrows MUST complete the Federal Excise Tax Exemption Form (FET).

        • NASP Gear

          Order NASP Clothing and Awards
        • store_quote_notice

          Creating a Quote

          Quotes can be created by adding products to the cart. When all products have been added to cart proceed to the checkout and click on Create a Quote Button.

  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • NASP® Coordinators
  • I am Student/Parent Certified Instructor/Coach Administrator/Teacher Alumni Supporter/Sponsor/Donor
    • Student/Parent
          • What is NASP

            What is NASP

            NASP® is an activity that doesn’t discriminate based on popularity, athletic skill, gender, size, or academic ability.

          • How to bring NASP to your school

            How to bring NASP to your school

            NASP® (National Archery in the Schools Program) is first and foremost an in-school program.

          • Magic of NASP

            Magic of NASP

            By the Numbers

          • Safety

            Safety

            Safety review for all participants in NASP®

          • 11 Steps To Success

            11 Steps To Success

            Demonstrates the proper way to perform the 11 Steps to Archery Success.

          • Success & Tips

            Success & Tips

            Learn to shoot better with these tips from successful current and past NASP archers

          • Reducing Barriers

            Reducing barriers

            Reducing barriers so more students can experience NASP®!

          • Participate in National Competition

            NASP® Tournaments

            One of the most exciting aspects of the National Archery in the School Program are the competitions.

          • Funding Opportunities

            Funding Opportunities

            Possible Grant Opportunities & fundraise for your NASP® program

          • Scholarship Payment Rules/Request

            Scholarship RulesIcon
            Scholarship Payment RequestIcon
          • Programs

            Programs
            • On Target for Life
            • Academic Archer
          • NASP 300 Club

            NASP 300 Club

            When NASP® began in 2002, most thought that a perfect score of 300 was impossible.

          • Find your local Coordinators

            Find your local Coordinators

            Contact your regional state DNR NASP coordinator to find a class and register.

          • Archer Search

            Archer Search

            View past Schedule and Tournament History

          • More Archery Opportunities

            More Archery Opportunities

            USA, ISO, NFAA, Archery Canada

          • Collegiate (USA Archery)

            Collegiate (USA Archery)

            Find a Collegiate Team

          • News & Updates

            News & Updates

            Stay up-to-date with whats is going on in NASP®

    • Certified Instructor/Coach
          • Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) – Overview

            Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) - Overview

            NASP Instructor Overview, Becoming an Instructor, Requirements

          • Tournament Prep

            Tournament Prep

            Lane judge training & Scoring protocol

          • Become a Certified Instructor

            Become a Certified Instructor

            Find upcoming classes

          • Programs

            Programs
            • On Target for Life
            • Academic Archer
          • BAI Refresher

            BAI Refresher
            • ch1 - Range Set-Up & Safety
            • ch2 - Determining Eye Dominance
            • ch3 - Making a String Bow® Training Aid
            • ch4 - Eleven Steps to Archery Success
            • ch5 - Coaching Techniques
            • ch6 - Safety Orientation & Teaching A New Archer
            • ch7 - Running The Range
            • ch8 - The Bow Station
            • ch9 - The Arrow Station
          • BAI Login

            BAI Login
          • BAI Annual Reporting

            BAI Annual Reporting

            Submit your BAI Annual Report

          • BAI Certification Lookup

            BAI Certification Lookup
          • Instructor Liability Insurance

            Instructor Liability InsuranceIcon
          • Equipment

            • Main Equipment
            • 3D Targets/Nets
            • Scorecards/Paper Targets
            • Arrow Replacement Parts
            • Bow Parts
            • Target Replacement Items
            • Target Faces
            • Bowcases
            • Decals/Banners
            • Awards
            • Accessories
            • Miscellaneous
    • Administrator/Teacher
          • What is NASP

            What is NASP

            NASP® is an activity that doesn’t discriminate based on popularity, athletic skill, gender, size, or academic ability.

          • How to bring NASP to our school

            How to bring NASP to your school

            NASP® (National Archery in the Schools Program) is first and foremost an in-school program.

          • To the administrator considering NASP

            To the administrator considering NASP

            From the perspective of a former school administrator.

          • Reducing barriers

            Reducing barriers

            Reducing barriers so more students can experience NASP®!

          • Magic of NASP

            Magic of NASP

            By the Numbers

          • Academic impact of NASP

            Academic impact of NASP

            Participation in our program does not claim to increase math or reading scores but absolutely claims to positively enhance one important aspect of success in school; engagement.

          • Archery Curriculum

            Archery Curriculum
            Curriculum Middle SchoolIcon
            Curriculum ElementaryIcon
            Curriculum High SchoolIcon
          • Programs

            Programs
            • On Target for Life
            • Academic Archer
          • Funding Opportunities

            Funding Opportunities
            • Mathews Bow Raffles
            • Grants
          • 2017 Student Survey

            Student SurveyIcon
    • Alumni
          • Alumni Association Overview

            Alumni Association Overview
          • Join Our Alumni/Friends Association

            Join Our Alumni/Friends Association
          • Success & Impact

            Success & Impact

            Where are they now? See what these successful NASP alums are doing today.

          • Donate

            Donate

            Help support the growth of NASP® in your area. Donations will be used to support the growth of the Alumni Association and fund equipment grants for new NASP® schools.

          • Purchase Alumni Gear

            Purchase Alumni Gear
          • Featured Alumni

            Featured Alumni
          • Other Archery Options

            Other Archery Options

            There are numerous opportunities to try other types of Archery.

    • Supporter/Sponsor/Donor
          • Sponsors

            Sponsors

            View our current sponsor levels here

          • Sponsorship Levels

            Sponsorship Levels

            Would like to assist current and future student participants of NASP®

          • Become A Sponsor

            Become A Sponsor

            Contact us

          • Volunteer

            Volunteer

            NASP® relies on volunteers to help safely staff and manage our national events.

  • 0 items - $0.00

Thwacked into Focus

–S. Nicola Chemlir- Thwack! The crisp string of your waxed bow snaps across the bridge of your inner arm. Nearly jumping out of your skin, this electrifying zap instantly resets your mind and body, saving you from your ever-wandering and anxious mind.

Bringing you back to the reality of shooting a flight, the “thwack,” as my coach has always called it, offers a uniquely startling jolt that is able to surprise one out of their most dreadful dazes and dizziest daydreams. As I am sure many of you can attest to as well, when on the shooting line my mind tends to wander from the present. My thoughts are often so out of the blue that I end up thinking about how I thought of the topic in the first place–a continuous and never-boring cycle for my most curious mind. But how to stop, how to focus, this is where the “thwack” comes in handy.

Almost as if intentional, the thwack leaves a physical and dutifully present aftershock upon its receiver, like the patterns of a grave tsunami or earthquake. Closely following the initial blast of the string’s blow, as anyone who has ever been hit surely knows, it leaves a tingling, burning sensation upon the flesh. Buzzing like a dentist’s electric toothbrush upon your gums, the almost planned attempt seems aimed at honing one’s senses to those necessary in archery.

Sight. Either refreshingly washing away the image we all burn into our minds of past mistakes through watering eyes, or exciting our eyelids to their farthest point across our surprised-looking faces, the thwack of a string helps our eyes forget the troubles of the past and sharpen the present.

Sound. Can’t you just hear it? The initial whoosh of air as your fingers lax and release an arrow, followed by the sudden, startling sound of your bow string slamming against your skin. You tense with a sharp sniffle to hold back tears. Then naturally you relax. Just like the physical stillness of skeletal position and the bodily sigh as you release an arrow. This mere sound forces your mind and body through the “follow through and reflect” portion of the shooting steps, which inevitably carries you straight into a fresh, adapted next shot.

Touch. As that string snaps across your skin, you feel the phalanges within your fingers immediately tighten your grasp upon the bow’s grip. A hot wave flashes across the entire extent of your body. But then, just as your body relaxes, your grip loosens and you cool off. The memory of your shot flies right out of your mind as you focus all your attention on not making a scene and getting back on track. After all, two minutes and thirty seconds feels a lot more pressing on the line, especially when sidetracked for a moment. With a blank mind, this physical shock and mental distraction helps orient yourself towards the next arrow.

More complex than often appearing, good archery depends not only on the talent of whoever holds the bow, but more importantly the sheer focus of sight, sound, and touch on a single arrow.

When standing in the exact same spot for nearly an entire hour, it’s only natural for the mind to space out. Although not necessarily crucial to a great flight, the thwack acts as an instant reset and honing device to one’s senses and focus.

Nicola was a 2022 student contributor. To view her other submissions, click here.

Previous Post: « How to Bounce Back from a Bad Archery Tournament
Next Post: Overcoming target panic »

Reader Interactions

NASP NASP Schools

Footer

 

About NASP

About NASP

What is NASP

What is NASP (Mission and Principles)

Bring NASP To Your School

Bring NASP To Your School

Reducing Barriers

Reducing barriers

Reducing barriers so more students can experience NASP®!

News & Updates

News & Updates

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

NASP Leadership

Meet the Leadership of NASP

Imapact/Success

Imapact/Success

Student/Archer

Student/Archer
  • Tournament Listings and Results
  • Success & Tips from Archers
  • Explore NASP® videos/Learning Center
  • NASP 300 Club
  • On Target for Life
  • Academic Archer
  • More Archery Opportunities

Success & Impact

Success & Impact

Where are they now? See what these successful NASP alums are doing today.

Tournaments/Events

Tournaments/Events

NASP® Tournaments Overview

NASP® Tournaments Overview

National Event Calendar

National Event Calendar

Tournament Website

Tournament Website

NASP 300 Club

NASP 300 Club

NASP® Tournament Planning Guide

NASP® Tournament HandbookIcon

Rules

Tournament Rules

National Rules - BullseyeIcon
National Rules - 3DIcon

NASP Certificates

NASP Certificates

NASP Certificate of AchievementIcon
State Tournament CertificateIcon

Learning Center

Learning Center

Equipment

Equipment

Online Order/Quote

Online Order/Quote

Here you will be able to create a quote or place an order for your school.

Equipment Order Forms

Equipment Order Forms

All public schools and government agencies ordering arrows MUST complete the Federal Excise Tax Exemption Form (FET).

My Account

My Account

My Account

My Account

Request a Quote

Request a Quote

Checkout

Checkout

NASP Coordinators

NASP Coordinators

Find NASP Coordinators

Sponsors/Donors

Sponsors/Donors

Sponsors

Sponsors

Sponsorship Levels

Sponsorship Levels

Would like to assist current and future student participants of NASP®

Become A Sponsor

Become A Sponsor

Contact us

Donate

Donate

Help support the growth of NASP® in your area.

Other Archery Options

Other Archery Options

More Archery Opportunities

Get More Involved With Archery

Collegiate, USA Archery, IBO, NFAA, Archery Canada & Pope & Young Club

Copyright© 2022 · Nasp Schools · Log in

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Refund and Returns Policy
  • Shipping Conditions
Cleantalk Pixel