Subtle Variations in Technique

We have looked at the forces and a bit about technique so let us take a look at a couple of top archers. The video below show Celine Schobinger and Natalia Valeeva in the recent world championship in Nimes.

Be aware it is 15 min long, but you only really need to view it for a couple of minutes, oh and the commentary is in French aka nonexistent.

Their technique is pretty much identical even though they are from different countries. Their style could be argued as text book.  However there are very subtle variations, for example Celine is left handed and pulls the string to the side of his face compared to Natalia etc.  Now these archers are at their top of their game and neither one has a “better” technique.  The differences are very subtle but very important as it shows that no one archer/athlete is the same. 

So each archer has their own variation on the same technique.  Now others can be considered to have an unorthodox style. Michele Frangilli is the classic example in archery.

The way this guy shots is frankly incredible! He has literally taken the rule book eaten it, regurgitated and then read it.  How he got to this point I have no idea and, try as I might, I cannot find information about it; to even hope to give a reason. 

Although saying that this is not the first time an unorthodox style has proven itself; take Kevin Peterson reverse sweep for an example.  When he first performed this strike/style it was considered unorthodox and went against the usual thinking.

The Times

 

It some situations is has proven very effective, but yet still it is only he who does it in the world of cricket.

So would changing Michele Frangilli technique to text book approach improve his performance? Well why not? It has been biometrically proven [1]  that the best stance/style is that demonstrated in the first video. Surely it is therefore better?

Yet there is another train of thought: “if it aint broke don’t fix it”.  He is still a very successful archer and walked away with team gold at the London Olympics [2]

To change or not to change is a key question and requires serious trust dedication on the part of the athlete and coach to even think about attempting it.  As any change can adversely affect an athlete’s performance in the short term.  It can even affect their mental game.

Just think you have reached the UK squad, by performing your way, then asked to changed your style entirely just because it is deemed better. If this change works then, great. If it doesn't it can leave you feeling rejected.

It is very personal thing and it is no wonder when it a certain style doesn't work some of the replies can be very derogatory, particularly if people train elsewhere to try and reach their goal. “Just because I didn’t train with squad they didn’t even check on me” [3]

That is one for the courts to decide but change can reap success, it did for Hannah Miley when she gained weight and changed her sleep patterns to improve her performance.[4]

Not something any usual 23 would do. That is dedication and shows a serious love of her sport.

 Links

[1] http://www.archerygb.org/members/operations/coaches/coaching_videos.php

[2] http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18910374

[3] http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/olliewilliams/2012/06/emotion_and_anger_as_olympic_d.shtml

[4] http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/swimming/20694179