“Robust, repeatable, predictable, performance”

A “Robust, repeatable, predictable, performance”[5] effectively allows the archer to shoot every arrow perfectly, every time and in any conditions.

How to get there is a massive question and one which can be argued that there is no single answer.

People still look for a single answer and it is incredible what lengths teams go to get an edge, legitimately or otherwise to win.

Photo Formula 1 blog._[1]

The Ferrari Team on the 18/11/2012 took the decision to tamper with their second driver’s car to take a penalty to enable their lead driver to gain places on the grid, this was a legitimate move[2] and was within the rules.  Was it “fair” and “sporting” possibly not, but that is not the aim of the game.  The aim of game is to win (a mind set which I will cover later on another post).

It was interesting that other major F1 teams understood Ferrari’s actions. Christian Holmer Redbull racing boss said "It's within the regulations; it's a tactical move"_[3]

Now bring this single answer strategy to a sportsman’s performance issue and it seems everyone (including coaches) has a viewpoint and verdict.

You hear it on national television from sports pundits all the time.  If often goes like, sportsman/team “x” isn’t doing it right because they are not doing it like “famous sportsman/team y”.

This is not a dig at sports pundits as that is what they are employed to do.  But is it always the correct solution or the only answer to that sportsman/team’s performance issue? I feel that is unlikely.

So if there is no single answer. What is the answer? Is there an answer? Not sure.

Maybe the solution is unique to that individual. We are all different in terms of physiology, body shape and psychology.  We know in our lives that we all work differently.  Some are “morning people” others are night owls.

So if the solution varies for different sportsmen then does the process to get there differ? 

Yes it does but the overall aim is the same for any sportsman in any sport. To be the best and to have a “robust, repeatable, predictable performance”

Where does this put me? I have my goals I know a bit about what to do so I should just practice. Sound simple doesn’t it.

For some it is just that simple, and this is the standard form of practicing for a lot of sports clubs including archery. Heniz Reinkemeier sums it up in “On The Training of (Rifle) Shooters”

“99% of participants know only one way of practising. Each training session the count out the appropriate number of cards, plus sighter, blast off the required number of shots for a maximum score” [4]

There are some archery clubs/organisations which are exceptions to the above rule.

The concern for this style of practice is that it can ingrain bad habits and doesn’t fully cover all aspects of shooting.  Some of the aspects can be broadly put in the following categories. 

• Technique.
• Psychology.
• Fitness.
• Nutrition.

These are broad categories and are not an absolute list as that is largely determined by the strength and weaknesses of the archer. Once that is defined a training plan could be used to improve the archer/coach in areas of weakness and finally achieve a "robust, predictable, performance that we have 101% confidence in"[5]. 


References
[1] http://www.formula1blog.com/2012/11/18/is-massa-gearbox-the-right-move/
[2] http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/ferrari-gearbox-trick-to-aid-alonso-was-legal-says-fia-8329609.html
[3] http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20389331
[4] On The Training of Shooters Volume 1 ISBN 0 9521077 0 8 page 3 
[5]http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/annabelvernon/2012/07/the_work_is_done_time_for_nerv.html 

My Goals/Target

Dreams and target setting, does this sound familiar? We all do it from planning life to the workplace. As children some of us had dreams of becoming and astronaut.  I know I certainly did.

Back on planet earth, it takes serious dedication to become an astronaut and for most it is but a dream. To date there have been 7 (Wiki link) astronauts from the UK. To be an Olympic medallist in archery is much the same. There has only been 1 of them in recent memory. 

 Alison Williamson (Shropshire Magazine)

My dream is to be on the GB squad. Will I attain it, unlikely but I still have to try. The “Essential thing [to remind yourself] is not to have conquered but to have fought well” (Annabel Veron)

It takes small steps to achieve your dream. Targets and goals help this to happen and keep you on track. The following are mine for the indoor season

• -Achieve a Portsmouth score of 550.
• -Complete Lvl 2 coaching course.
• -Maintain relationship with Girlfriend.
• -Purchase new stabilisers kit for my bow.

If I achieve all of the above what would be my prize: a new bow and a balanced relationship

The readers of my first blog post (Thanks Mum) will already have come across the Lvl 2 coaching course and the Portsmouth target score is not unreasonable. The next 2 are surprising. Why should my Girlfriend and kit go on there.

Maintaining Relationship with Girlfriend

This is probably going to be the hardest one of all to achieve, the hardest to put into words. My girlfriend means the world to me and she is one of my greatest bastions of support, pushing me out the door to go shooting in any weather, persuading me to get out of bed at O’shit hundred to go to a competition.

 You can’t achieve anything without the support from friends’ family and teammates. Annabel Veron speaks of the same about her family.

 “They've spent the last eight years travelling round Europe to hot, barren lakes on the outskirts of foreign cities to watch me race”(1)

That is serious commitment to the dream of one person.  Being so close they can’t but not go through the anguish.

“My family have always found my rowing very stressful because although they're immensely proud of me, they also see how much pressure I've been under and how much it can rip me apart.”(1)

As my girlfriend is not an archer there has to be a joint understanding.  I’ve known many couples who have broken up, due to over commitment to their dream. Then that dream falters/shatters because of the lack of support. There are others who have broken relationships early as they know that they can’t commit enough time to it. Honestly I wouldn’t want either scenario to happen.

Kit

Equipment is a part of shooting. Do I believe better kit instantly means better scores? Not all the time.  It can be argued that there is a psychological element of having a new bow. Namely it will instantly make you shoot better. This can be unfounded at times.

What I do believe in is that there is the right kit for the right person.  The reasoning can be as simple as the bow being the correct colour; perfect fit for the archer or even a certain brand.

So why is it a goal? I “feel” my current set up isn’t adequate and if I don’t have full confidence (there’s that psychological element) in my kit then how can I achieve my score of 550. 

This doesn’t mean that I will instantly get better scores, although deep down I hope it will.

Put this all together and this means my overriding aim is to get a “robust, repeatable predictable performance that [I] have 101% confidence”(1). Then use this to succeed. 

(1)Quotes from Annabel Veron blog 

BBC Blog Annabel Veron and Me

A blog was run by the BBC during the Olympics to give the reader an idea of what goes on behind the scenes of an athlete.  The blogger was Annabel Veron a rower who was part of the Women’s 8.

Photo Zimbo

Annabel Vernon BBC Blog

She is an accomplished athlete and in the Olympic final her boat and crew came 5^th. The blog starts months before the Olympics and documents the trials and tribulations which she went through.  Some of her experiences I could relate to, these include

·         The “bitter, wrenching, shocking disbelief of failure” of not achieving what everyone expected me to do.

·         A part of being a strong squad of “ambitious, passionate women (me: team) who are great fun to be around”.

Admittedly my experiences are at a lower level but they are no less poignant. The below quote appeared in her final blog post; the one where she is putting up her oars for the final time.

“Whatever I do next, however rewarding it may be, will never allow me again to say that I spend every day working towards my dreams.” 

Annabel Last Post 

It has such an effect on me that I keep re-reading it.

Maybe it was because at one stage I was working towards my dream. I was 15 and pushing Essex squad.  For whatever reason it didn’t happen and I admit I have been reminiscing about my experiences ever since (sorry team). 

That is the cusp of my first point “will never allow me again to say that I spend every day working towards my dreams” 

What has actually stopped me from working towards my dream? The list is effectively endless as it is human nature to produce reasons. What I can say now is that none seem reasonable enough and I hope that “whatever I do next, however rewarding it may be,” it will be towards my dream. Times are a changing you could call it the Olympic effect. 

This brings me to the final point of this post; can “I spend every day working towards my dreams?” 

Well reality of work, life and other commitments means it can’t be every hour of every day. But I can do more, there is always more.

But thanks to the Olympics and support support of my girlfriend, family, teammates and friends. I am shooting more and enrolled on an lvl 2 coaching course.

There is also still time as one of the UK squad is aged 50+ and the longevity of archers at the top flight is quite good.  Allison Williamson for example was competing in her 5 Olympics in 2012 and is unlikely to retire any time soon.

So to end this start, thanks Annabel for writing your blog and sharing your feelings.  I aim emulate your blog and use this as a platform to talk about my feelings and viewpoints.