Archery: the art of self-control
The distinction between an expert and a novice is fundamental. While the novice must concentrate on their gesture, for the expert, it becomes automatic, allowing them to focus on their strategy. It has even been observed that asking the expert to concentrate on their gesture has the opposite effect of weakening their performance. The same applies to parallel parking. When you do it without thinking, everything goes smoothly. But if a line of cars becomes impatient, and you strive to get it right on the first try, that's when you miss your maneuver. Hence the interest in developing implicit learning. Archery: the art of self-control:
Implicit learning
Most of the time, teaching relies on a combination of verbal instructions and key points designated for the student's attention. However, a more intuitive form of learning, which turns their gesture into a kind of black box, is much more efficient. It effectively protects the athlete from the temptation to mentally break down their gesture in a stressful situation, which would have the same negative effect as when a driver attempts parallel parking.
The archer carries their bow and positions themselves in front of the target. They place their fingers on the string and the other hand on the handle of the bow, exerting slight tension. They align their forearm with the arrow. Then, pulling their arm back, they stretch the string as far as possible and gently place the arrow and the bow at the level of the target they are staring at.
Finally, they release the string. The arrow flies towards the target as the bow arm, released from tension, relaxes, pulling the bow down. This complex and extremely precise sequence occurs continuously within a few seconds.
Concentration in archery
Successful execution requires not only physical strength and skill but also excellent concentration. While all sports require concentration, archery is the one most spontaneously associated with it. But what exactly do we mean by attention or concentration?
Now, the question remains: what should the archer focus on? In a competitive context, where there is significant stress, one must remain focused on oneself. Focus on what needs to be done and detach yourself from the result, considering that not all parameters can be controlled (such as the wind, brightness, or the talent of competitors). There must be a continuum between the shooter and the target, with the gaze guiding the arrow.
What happens in the archer's mind?
Researchers have attempted to answer this question by comparing the encephalograms of fifteen athletes equipped with sensors capable of remotely transferring real-time data. Since the frequency of brain waves differs depending on whether the subject is concentrated, distracted, or relaxed, the researchers were able to establish typical profiles. Conclusion: top-level archers exhibit both the highest degree of attention and relaxation. In contrast, novice archers are less concentrated and more tense.
Stress is indeed as destabilizing as external factors such as a gust of wind or a sudden change in light. To make archers aware of their mental state, they can use a box during training that measures variations in their heart rate, and thus their emotionality. Acknowledging that one is stressed is, in fact, the first step towards hoping to remedy it.
Next read: https://mentalaccelerator.com/resource/voice-of-the-athlete/voice-of-the-athlete-jen-saint-jean