Coaching: Managing Equipment

[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

[Mufti]

What a great idea!
It happens all too often here in the UK aswell.
So much time spent tweaking and adjusting at the expense of perfecting an archers form.

[flamingbladerider]

Not a bad regime, new archers dont realise its not the equipment they need to improve but themselves. Better/more expensive equipment wont improve their abilities only practice, correct form and consistancey will.

[BillM]

We have a couple of members who can't, it seems, stop fiddling with their bows and complain that scores are not improving. Last year I suggested they bring their bows to my house (only one turned up) and we set up the bow from scratch. The most surprising thing was that the tiller difference was about 12mm. I set the bolts equal using a micrometer and guess what - 4mm difference. After we finished I told him to leave well alone and only make minor adjustments to button position and spring tension. The result, his scores leapt up noticably - big smile. Several months later, he has started fiddling again and his scores have dropped. I just grin when he whinges as the lesson has not been learned.

BillM

[JamesR]

I think this makes a lot of sense. I'm well aware that the first bit of my kit that needs to be improved upon is the numpty that's holding it.

Does your 90-30-90 rule only apply to changes in what you use, or does it apply to setting as well? (e.g. I can imagine that constantly fiddling about with button settings would be very counter-productive).

[Justboy]

Ive bee shooting recurve then compound, in all for 7 years, and for a number of those years Ive longed to shoot one Bow, one setup for an entire sessions as I know that this will help me to improve wile only concentratig on shot execution and not messing with kit. I have never managed this, now after a long indoor session and a new bow at its start,i am absolute in every thing on my bow,even god forbit the ultimate tinker temptress of longrods and siderids, weights etc

I will shoot one setup all seassion and i know i will inprove as a result of knowing how my bow fels and avaioding tinkering, that said one way i have convinced myself not to tinker with my traget bow was to buy a bow for feild and spend all my time messing with that insted

[Rik]

I'd probably say it should go further than equipment...
The number of people you see who could do with applying a 90-30-90 rule to their form is striking... A little bit arbitrary maybe, but at least it's simple to follow.

[ThePinkOne]

Originally Posted by 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

I'm an archer not a coach, but I think if you are working seriously with a coach then if they say "no fiddle" you should listen! However, coach may also need to suggest changes to kit- after all, if an improvement in form needs (for example) a longer/shorter DL on a compound then this will need sorting. So I'd go further than you recommendation and say "ask me before you consider changing ANYTHING." Basically a ban on fiddling with kit unless coach says so... and of course works with the archer to make changes/specifies in detail what is required.

After all, if you aren't going to listen to your coach then why waste their time working with them.... ....?

P.

[geoffretired]

It sounds like a good idea to me.
I coach archers who are at club level; mostly just beyond beginner. We discuss equipment etc but sometimes thing get changed without my prior knowledge. It's their equipment so I don't get too upset, but there are times when it backfires on them. I tend not to say,"I told you so," as that doesn't make thing right. What tends to happen is another discussion starts and the issues from earlier discussions are revisited. They usually tell themselves what they should have done instead. I think the 90-30-90 would be a good idea in many cases. I would introduce the idea and offer it as a sound suggestion; leaving it up to them to make the final decision. I think many archers would accept the idea; especially those who have already made mistakes and regretted them.

[smog]

Originally Posted by ThePinkOne

I'm an archer not a coach, but I think if you are working seriously with a coach then if they say "no fiddle" you should listen! However, coach may also need to suggest changes to kit- after all, if an improvement in form needs (for example) a longer/shorter DL on a compound then this will need sorting. So I'd go further than you recommendation and say "ask me before you consider changing ANYTHING." Basically a ban on fiddling with kit unless coach says so... and of course works with the archer to make changes/specifies in detail what is required.

After all, if you aren't going to listen to your coach then why waste their time working with them.... ....?

P.

I'm working with an archer, who a couple of years back, decided that they would try anything and everything. At least he had the sense to let me know what he bought. It got to a point when I told him that he was banned from buying anything (archery related) from shops, friends, internet etc. He has listened and has got a set-up that is working for him. We are now working on refining his technique to get him to MB without the "need" to buy anything else.

Ok that's at the top end. But as TPO says, why should coaches bother if the archer doesn't care. I've always tried to be approachable and answer questions/offer help and knowledge when possible. Most of the archers within the club will approach one of the coaching team when problems/questions arise. But there is always the few that do their own thing even though coaches are there to help and advise - I suppose that there always will be!