Would a coach change a top archer's riser?

[LobbyMuncher]

Originally Posted by Rhys

I cannot agree more with what Erika just wrote! Why waste time asking pointless questions when you can get on with what you're told and achieve more.

Exactly. Nicely put, Erika, and significant that it came from someone of your standing.

Nobody is too old or too good to learn - and if you're young, and not so good - then listening is more likely to reward you than not listening.

[Erika]

Although you should be acting on the advice of one coach, i think the coaching is far superior when there is a team effort going on. ie Jim bounces his thoughts and ideas off his trusty henchmen, so to speak, before presenting me with the idea.

I coach in a similar fashion. I am the only voice for the people that i coach. No one is to speak to my students in an advisory capacity. If they have an idea, they need to bring it to me. We have all the arguments and debates out of hearing range of the students and then when a final answer is decided upon, it is then presented to the student.

Even working with KSL was a bit of a team effort as all changes he dictated had to be run through my coach... no point in getting expert advice if the expert in question is not going to be on hand for the fall out when you get it wrong. There is rarely less than 2 expert opinions going into every change i am told to make.

[ironmonkey]

id think its important for coaches to cultivate self-sufficiency in their archers; to give them understanding to make decisions, rather than to simply take orders. but you say there are some times when its best just to listen and not question why.

is there a danger that when you guys become the next generation of coaches, there will be things you wish your coach had explained and given reasons for?

[Good Sir Pete]

Luckily I have a rediculous amount of respect for my coach, so when he says something I tend to do it. Granted I also tend to ask why (I also have the problem of thinking too much!) but even if he didn't explain I would still try what he says. If you're not prepared to listen to your coach then you shouldn't bother having one. Most of my equipment choices are filtered through mine - I was originally going to get an inno but because of the wrist position he's taught me to use I went for the helix instead for example.

[Good Sir Pete]

Originally Posted by sp220

I wish I still had my coach. He was like a second dad. Only actually knew anything about archery.

maybe you should've listened to him then

[Good Sir Pete]

would you have changed to a different riser if he told you to?

[Good Sir Pete]

Originally Posted by sp220

Would have jumped off a cliffe into a vat of sulphuric acid.

Lol, case in point!

[Erika]

Originally Posted by ironmonkey

id think its important for coaches to cultivate self-sufficiency in their archers; to give them understanding to make decisions, rather than to simply take orders. but you say there are some times when its best just to listen and not question why.

is there a danger that when you guys become the next generation of coaches, there will be things you wish your coach had explained and given reasons for?

Just because you don't understand at the time does not mean that you won't understand ever. Just that sometimes the explanation is not necessary for the doing. Some things can be easier to achieve when you don't know the mechanics. After you have already done it, the mechanics become important to learn so that you can better understand and improve the technique.

The changing bow argument is quite funny. Most archers, top one's included, have no clue about bows beyond what they think is comfy. But comfort with a bow is purely a matter of what you are used to, just like technique. If a bow is really just a bow, it shouldn't matter to the archer if they are asked to change. And if it isn't just a bow, maybe the request to change is not so silly.

If you have done any in depth training and coaching you will be familiar with situations where the light just will not dawn until after you've done it. Sometimes the explanation just doesn't help before hand and you should trust your coach enough to accept that.

[easy]

I should have put a little more thought into my original post on the subject. Saying that KSL clearly has a preference for the Axis wasn't accurate and it was a suggestion made on assumption, which of course makes an ass of me. But i think the overall point was understood.

I'd say it's fair to suggest that it's possible that a coach can suggest an archer use a certain handle if he feels the qualities suit, and could benefit. The Axis and Aerotec both feature the tec bar, as does the helix, giving a stiffness to it. The grips to the Axis and Aerotec are the same or simular, and possibly suit KSL's BEST grip idea. The Helix is much different, and the overall weight differences between the handles make them different to shoot. There have been discusions about the performance of the Helix, with some suggesting the reaction isn't as good as other risers. So in looking at video's and images of US archers i noticed the number of newer risers wasn't as great as the older risers, considering that most of the GB team shoot Helix or Nexus. So wondered if it was possible that there could be some preference.