[bowcoach]

This is not much of a question as it is just an opportunity for me to share in dialogue with you guys in the UK.

After I had been coaching for about ten years, I decided to institute what I called a 90-30-90 rule with archers who I was coaching, and who were averaging less than 1100 in FITA scores. This rule said essentially this: From the moment I am hired a s a coach, the archer cannot make equipment changes for 90 days (except when necessary in order to perform, such as replacing a damaged string). After 90 days, the archer has 30 days in which they can make all the equipment changes they desire. At the end of the 30 day “grace period,” the archer is again locked into another 90 days of no equipment changes.

I started this because as a coach I would often see my students showing up for practice with new limbs, handles, stabilizer setups etc, which didn’t really seem to fit with my approach of focusing on execution, technique, and so on.

This has worked out pretty well for me and the archers I have coached, as it allows the archer to see their progress more easily, and helps to develop a sense of focus, as my sessions are very focus oriented. Interestingly, since instituting this rule I have found that often when the 30 day grace period comes, equipment changes are much more thought out and often have a positive effect.

As a coach what is your take on the issue of equipment? How much input do you think a coach should have in an archer’s equipment choices? Do you think it impacts an archer’s progress when they are constantly making equipment changes? Is this something that is really endemic to the U.S., or do you see this a lot on your ranges?

Thanks in advance for your input.

-Daniel