Autogenics?

[Deadeye Doc]

I suppose this is one for the coaches, but is also for keenies!

Frangilli (Padre et fili) in their book mention "autogenics" as something in which they have a great belief. I'm sure that most of us would agree about archery being a "head game". Being mentally set and focused on the the process of hitting the centre of the target is essential to making the shot. Zen archery may be the epitomy of this focus.

I'd be interested in knowing how many archers in AIUK are using psychological techniques to improve their shooting and if coaches are bothering to either discuss this aspect of archery (not that they are likely to be qualified to do so) or even mention it.

[avalon]

The British Target training squads and teams have a sports psychologist, so it's certainly used at the top levels over here. I'd be interested to know what regime the Koreans follow.

For myself, goal setting and relaxation techniques are useful, but it's something you have to 'get into the habit' of doing... and takes working at. The other thing is not all things work for everyone. I remember doing a visualisation method with someone when I was a junior, and went through the shot, etc, til you saw the arrow hitting the middle of the gold... apart from mine missed

[bluebow]

Without a doubt these techniques work. I know that YAA squad coaching has included training on physchological aspects of shooting.

As Avalon says, not all techniques work for all people, so it's important to try different approaches and review the outcome.

Belief in yourself and the outcome is very important. One of mental approaches I have found useful is in Al Henderson's "Understanding Winning Archery" regarding aiming. He suggests that an archer "changes their conscious concentration efforts from just holding a pin on a spot to concentrating on the spot they want the shot to go and believing it will arrive there". Works for me (most of the time! )

I also think that some people can be self-conscious talking about or applying physchological techniques - so maybe that's why it's not always evident.

[Deadeye Doc]

Originally Posted by avalon

The British Target training squads and teams have a sports psychologist, so it's certainly used at the top levels over here. I'd be interested to know what regime the Koreans follow.

For myself, goal setting and relaxation techniques are useful, but it's something you have to 'get into the habit' of doing... and takes working at. The other thing is not all things work for everyone. I remember doing a visualisation method with someone when I was a junior, and went through the shot, etc, til you saw the arrow hitting the middle of the gold... apart from mine missed

I already know that the National Squad has a sports psychologist ,"Gary" I think, on hand.

However if you look on the website for the British Association for Sports and Exercise Sciences and search on this site

www.bases.org.uk/newsite/home.asp

there are practically no professional sports psychologists who are interested in Archery! I have found one who is based on the wrong side of the Pennines. Her main interests are sadly in ********, where the money is I think, if I remember there were three in the whole of the UK. Disappointing.

I'd be interested to see just how many archers use any form of psychological technique and what these might be.

[Rik]

I've used relaxation techniques like that in the past. I had one of those 'self-hypnosis' relaxation tapes I used to listen to as I went to sleep. Ultimately it all seems to come down to controlling tension and breathing. Not that understanding the issue makes it any easier...

On the 'attitude' side of things, I quite like inspirational quotes:
Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. - Samuel Beckett

Or
Falling off a bicycle isn't 'failure'. Failure is never getting back on again.

Or one Don Rabska quoted, from Annie Oakley (of western fame):

The marksman who hesitates is lost, just take it for granted that you are going to hit and fire away before you have time to doubt the certainty of success

written circa 1899.

[Deadeye Doc]

Originally Posted by Rik

I've used relaxation techniques like that in the past. I had one of those 'self-hypnosis' relaxation tapes I used to listen to as I went to sleep. Ultimately it all seems to come down to controlling tension and breathing. Not that understanding the issue makes it any easier...

On the 'attitude' side of things, I quite like inspirational quotes:
Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. - Samuel Beckett

Or
Falling off a bicycle isn't 'failure'. Failure is never getting back on again.

Or one Don Rabska quoted, from Annie Oakley (of western fame):
written circa 1899.

And another one, don't ask me who said this:

"If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing badly ..."

After all we learn best from our mistakes.