mental training

[archer]

i was just interested to see how many archers do this when and how , any feedback would be great i pesonal do it when at work , i shot a full FITA 18 at work it took all day
cheers

[avalon]

I've used it a lot over the last year or so, and it's really useful. Many different aspects to mental training though... I've used a lot of visualisation when I haven't been physically capable of shooting, and it's been helpful in keeping me sane (have really missed having a bow in my hand) and also has meant an easier transition back to shooting. I have a 40 minute journey each way to work, and I use this time (no, I'm not driving!)

Now I'm using some goal setting (which is quality/volume of shots, rather than scores/tournament achievement) and that's helping me to focus better, rather than just getting upset with not scoring so well/not progressing as fast as I'd like etc.

Relaxation techniques are also helpful. I haven't done any competitions in a long while, but I'm still using them for the bad days at work!

[Furface]

The chief weapon in my armoury is relaxation exercises and goal setting. No, my two chief weapons are relaxation, goal setting and positive affirmation (all of which, to a greater or lesser extent) I practice every day. Visualisation I just cannot do. And fear and surprise tend not to be relevant to our sport.
For the relaxation, I have a set piece of music ("Spiegel im spiegel" by Arvo Part) which has a steady rhythm pattern which I use to regulate my breathing. On the line, I can then hum it to myself and quickly settle. The downside is that, if I hear it on the car radio, I start yawning. (This also does truly work at the dentist)
My goals are long-, medium-, and short-term, and a mixture of score and technique related. The biggest ones are actually fitness oriented. In theory, I have control over all of them.
Positive affirmation is perhaps the most difficult. When I have made a bad shot, or burned the soup, my first reaction is "You prat" and to get cross. "I am capable of recovering the situation" should come first, but is very hard when you have thrown the soup on the floor and the cat is lapping it up. But it is possible to find a positive in any situation, and focus on that.
To date, I think the benefits have been in helping me cope with a very poor patch rather than advancing me in great strides.

[Little Miss Purple]

I'm just full of good intentions!!

[morphymick]

Originally Posted by Little Miss Purple

I'm just full of good intentions!!

That's because you're a mental health nurse in training.

Mick

[TJ Mason]

I had to vote "never" because although I've done a bit, it was so infrequent and half-baked that I can't seriously claim to have done any. Mental training may well be a New Year's resolution for me -- I recognise the potential benefits and want some of that.

[Wrexham Exile]

good way is to do some blind shooting (safely i may add!!!). the feeling you get from doing this is quite strange but lets you really feel whats going on. then when you think you have a problem its easier to mentally go through it when your at work/walking dog/operating heavy machinery etc.

when you try blind shooting you will see what i mean (no pun intended) as its like you seeing yourself shoot.


but saying this i rarely mentally train technique....more attitude

[KevinH]

I started using mental training this summer after it became apparent that I had a problem with appearing on the leader board ( being on the leader board meant a drastic drop in scores until I wasn't there anymore ). The Lanny Bassham book / articles were recommended to me and using the techniques I was able to deal with the problem quite effectively and I continue to use the techniques as part of my routine training.

[silver streak]

Tend to Use Paul McKennas CD Great Golf, and just replace some of the words with my own eg for swing I think draw etc . It works for me. sometimes..

[clickerati]

I'm mental, but I didn't have to train to get this way!