When we think of archery, such terms as precision, accuracy, aiming and exacting are used. After all it is a shooting sport. But and this is a big but, thinking in that manner hinders shooting well. I’ve thought about this for a long while and I have a few ideas.

How often have you seen a youngster execute a shot, or golf putt, for that matter and do so with accuracy, dispatch and ease? I’ve seen it plenty. I’m sure you have as well. What dynamics are in play to allow this to happen? I believe it is mental freedom. From this place of mental freedom, there is little physical tension. It is this combination of mental freedom and lack of physical stress which makes the shot, or putt, look effortless and quite accurate. Well we are treading on zen and perhaps perusing ‘Zen In The Art Of Archery’ may be useful here. But let’s get to the practical nut of the matter.

Mental tension (because we want to perform well) translates into physical tension, which destroys accurate shots. Focusing on being steady, or aiming well, impedes the fluid shot. Here’s an experiment so that you can prove this to yourself. Go into your shot routine and when you get to anchor, forgo the aim and focus on actuating the clicker with good timing. Then try your normal routine. I think you’ll be surprised at the results of the un aimed shot.

I worked with a shooter who had very nice form, yet couldn’t score a lick. His shots were all over the paper and his move through the clicker looked tortuous. When I mandated he shoot in rhythm, without aiming, the groups shrank almost immediately.

We all want to shoot well and the point of the sport is to score well, but you can’t score well without the mental freedom to execute your shot, which means a different focus for many of us. It’s definitely something to discuss with your archery coach.