Anatomy of a round

[Cakemeister]

I've been thinking about this as applicalble to Portsmouths but it may apply to others.

If you were to draw a graph of your concentration & peformance over time (no.of dozen arrows) where would it dip?

I'm quite comfortable for the first three dozen & then I tend to slip for the fourth, but then knowing the 'end is in sight' helps me concentrate for the last 12. Knowing that that happens, I should be able to anticipate lack of concentration when it comes up....

[GeoffT]

You are right Cakey. If you analyse your dozens, most people will find a dip somewhere.

The solution is to be positive and tell yourself that you are good at the (say fourth dozen in your case) dip. This increases your concentration and confidence and the problem will go away. Well that one will, anyway, and you will be able to move on to the next issue. Thats the great thing about archery there is always something to improve.

[JohnK]

This reminds me of my competition Portsmouth PB (before I had an argument with a piece of gym equipment - nowhere near this level at the moment):

117, 106, 114, 114, 115.

The 106 was caused by me looking over at the leaderboard and seeing my name on the top by a good clear 5 points or so. I was scared into trying too hard. Fortunately I settled down again once I realised that if I just stayed relaxed the shot took care of itself.

Best practice PB, on the other hand:

112, 113, 114, 115, 115

Much steadier, although my last six arrows were X, X, 8 and X, X, 8, which was caused by the anxiety of seeing a 570+ on the horizon. Sometimes you have to look at the end scores as well as dozen totals.

[Furface]

I tend to start off slow, hit my stride in the second dozen, then tail off on the last. General lack of fitness, and thinking too much about other things beforehand ("Secretary" syndrome, probably). But what about the mid-round tea break? Sometimes it can add 15 points per dozen, sometimes take them away.

[morphymick]

I tend to improve on the last two dozen of a Portsmouth.

It's seeing LMP's score and realising she's either: just in front and I can catch her up; or so far in front that I've no chance of beating her, in which case I just relax and look forward to the raffle. (who said you can't buy points?)

Mick

[Yew Selfbow]

I think your analysis is about right cakemeister. An interesting exercise is to shoot a round and write down the scores in the order in which they were shot. I think it would confirm what you've already said.
Good thread...

[Kellog]

I'm the same, my first 2 dozen are generally good, then I don't concentrate as much on the third, and hence have a bad dozen then I begin to remember what I'm meant to be doing for the last 2 dozen.

530-> 111, 112, 98, 100, 109

[Rik]

I'm inconsistent
I've shot rounds which started well and tailed off, some which started poorly and improved, others which stayed pretty much the same (good or bad) all the way through.

The only time I've seen marked "dips" which I could actually attribute to something (other than that old fallback "fatigue"), it's been -
Equipment failure (rest on it's way out, sight block coming loose, stabilisers falling off...),
External interference ("you're doing rather well today, aren't you?" ).

[morphymick]

Originally Posted by Rik

I'm inconsistent
I've shot rounds which started well and tailed off, some which started poorly and improved, others which stayed pretty much the same (good or bad) all the way through.

The only time I've seen marked "dips" which I could actually attribute to something (other than that old fallback "fatigue"), it's been -
Equipment failure (rest on it's way out, sight block coming loose, stabilisers falling off...),
External interference ("you're doing rather well today, aren't you?" ).

I like the external interference, Rik. That's how I usually try to influence LMP.

Mick

[Little Miss Purple]

I like the external interference, Rik. That's how I usually try to influence LMP.

I'll let you beat me again soon MM!!