Snob versus Serene :)

[Himalaya]

Hello

Part of mental preparation when you arrive at a place to shoot is supposed to be standing apart from the other archers before you step up to the line and emptying your mind or visualising what you're about to do. How do you do this without snobbing off your friends and/or new people you could be meeting? You can't tell them what you're doing or they'll think you're a pretentious wanker. Is this mental clearing good advice for everyone or are some people better shooters when they relax and socialise? Perhaps you're only able to relax and socialise when you're at the level of having excellent yet subconscious and automated form?

Confusing.

Himalaya.

[Eolla]

Good point, you really notice it at intermediate level when you are trying to break through to MB. I guess you have to ask yourself why you're here, it's for you not for your buddies. I think of a tournament as like going to work-go into your office and shut the door. You decide when its time to take a break.

If you arrive early, set up check your gear and take in the venue etc, you will have time to socialize before shooting starts

[Zoe]

Part of mental preparation when you arrive at a place to shoot is supposed to be standing apart from the other archers before you step up to the line and emptying your mind or visualising what you're about to do. How do you do this without snobbing off your friends and/or new people you could be meeting?

Probably not possible. I'm afraid one would have to make a choice.

[Clare Barnes]

Part of mental preparation when you arrive at a place to shoot is supposed to be standing apart from the other archers before you step up to the line and emptying your mind or visualising what you're about to do. How do you do this without snobbing off your friends and/or new people you could be meeting?

Probably not possible. I'm afraid one would have to make a choice.

However there are certain archers who should opt to take the "being unsociable" choice, just to keep the rest of the competitors happy! :wink: 8)

[Flehrad]

Well, usually there will be a break in the time when practice ends are about to start, so they will toddle off to their own targets.
You can use that time to mental gear up...

Otherwise wear headphones and pretend to be listening to music.... :P

[Zoe]

We need to be careful not to encourage too many people to take the "being unsociable" option, as then the "stading apart from other archers" bit becomes harder to achieve, and the chances of accidentally socialising with another "unsociable person" increases.

[Clare Barnes]

We need to be careful not to encourage too many people to take the "being unsociable" option, as then the "stading apart from other archers" bit becomes harder to achieve, and the chances of accidentally socialising with another "unsociable person" increases.

Archery grounds would have to be larger to accommodate the unsociable ones. Can DVA please work this out before the Nationals, or canvas people on their registration as to their option on any given day?

[James Park]

Already fixed.
All the unsociable ones can wander off to the aeroclub on the otherside of the lake.

[Flame]

Bit hard to shoot from there Jim :D

[James Park]

Bit hard to shoot from there Jim :D
Long distance Clout.

[Flame]

sounds good

Can I borrow your Flight bow :D

[mike]

Hello

Part of mental preparation when you arrive at a place to shoot is supposed to be standing apart from the other archers before you step up to the line and emptying your mind or visualising what you're about to do. How do you do this without snobbing off your friends and/or new people you could be meeting? You can't tell them what you're doing or they'll think you're a pretentious wanker. Is this mental clearing good advice for everyone or are some people better shooters when they relax and socialise? Perhaps you're only able to relax and socialise when you're at the level of having excellent yet subconscious and automated form?

Confusing.

Himalaya.

Well the key is to not need a long time to do it. Setting yourself mentally for an end is something that ends up happening between picking up the bow and moving to the line. And that is plenty of time. You also need to be able to separate social chat from what you are thinking interms of shooting so that you are kinda "subconciously" processing what is needed for the next end etc.

At the highest levels (world champs, olympics) I imagine most people are doing there own thing and so you get more than enough time.

You actually don't want too much time I think. Time gives you a chance to 'freak out' and 'over think it'.

Basically, shoot lots of tournaments and you'll develop the skills and techniques that work for you.

[Bia]

very good point... Actually today at practice my coach told me I have to take care because I sooooooooooooo distractive. It ruins my shooting.
And because i'm soooo nice 8) :roll: everybody wants to talk to me :silly: . I think the best is first talk to everybody and then put the headphones. I think the headphones are a nice way to say "KEEP AWAY! TRYING TO FOCUS HERE!!!"...

:D

But I agree on what someone said about you being at the field for you or to meet your friends.

[Milkovitsch]

A bit hard at first; if you're a chatterbox and suddenly you want to be on your own. Eventually people will get used to your tournament mask and will understand.

[Harald]

Trick might be to bragg round like and old fart, of all the great shots you've done and will do, and soon everybody will avoid you like you got the plague and you can be alone with you're own miserable little thoughts.... :D :D :D

[Zoe]

Trick might be to bragg round like and old fart, of all the great shots you've done and will do, and soon everybody will avoid you like you got the plague and you can be alone with you're own miserable little thoughts

I like your thinking Harald. Alternatively, reply to anyone who talks to you with

[baldmountain]

You really don't want to wander off to "mentally gear up" before a tournament unless that is what you do during your practice rounds. If you spend your time shooting the breeze with your buddies at practice, then that is what you should do at tournaments. By doing something different at tournaments your are making them "special" in your mind and putting yourself at a psychological disadvantage.

I think the key to shooting as well, or better, at tournaments then during practice is to be as comfotable at a tournament as you are at practice. Listen to some mellow tunes on the way to the tournament. Not Megadeath. Get to the tournament early and check in. Meet your friends when you get there and chat with them. If you haven't shot there before wandeer around the venue for a while to get a feel for the place. Use the bathroom so you know where it is if you have hurry and go between ends. If they have food get a snack or have breakfast.

In other words make tournament day a normal day rather than singling it out as a special day.

[fatdog]

[quote="Himalaya"]Hello

Part of mental preparation when you arrive at a place to shoot is supposed to be standing apart from the other archers before you step up to the line and emptying your mind or visualising what you're about to do. How do you do this without snobbing off your friends and/or new people you could be meeting? You can't tell them what you're doing or they'll think you're a pretentious wanker. Is this mental clearing good advice for everyone or are some people better shooters when they relax and socialise? Perhaps you're only able to relax and socialise when you're at the level of having excellent yet subconscious and automated form?

Confusing.

Himalaya.[/quote


I just turn it off and on .....like a nob . :D

[Gunzer]

I haven't really taken my shooting to that mental level yet, but you do have a good question there. I tend to socialize rather than focus on the object of activity (hence I'm easily distracted).
My excuse is, "I can always shoot again, but if I miss my chance to hook up with Paris Hilton..." :wink:

I think it goes without saying that when someone is at the shooting line, it would be impolite to distract him/her while shooting. It's the same with ten pin bowling, darts, pistol shooting, golf, etc where high degrees of concentration is called for. Let the person shooting initiate the socialization move... and possibly, politely say to complete the shooting first and concentrate on the shot (advice that the shooter might hit an un-intended target).

[Artemis]

I don't think you can go against your basic nature - if you tend to be reserved, most people will detect that and respond accordingly rather than assume you are a wanker. Ditto if you are an annoying little prat who can't shut up and are really,really annoying - probably you are like that all the time, not just to gain some sort of psychological advantage. I guess it pays not to make snap judgements about the behavior of others.

Having said that I still believe that it is good practice to keep yourself nice - and not just because you may be shooting alongside a future employer or customer!