I’ve said it often, but it is still true; putting yourself on the shooting line and exposing yourself to the challenge of shooting in tournaments, is something few are willing to do.

One of the things that was apparent while we spent the weekend shooting arrows is the amount of physical and mental stamina needed to shoot competitively three days in a row. If our normal arrow volume is 30, or 60 arrows a week, we will tire well before the day and tournament is complete.

How does that show up? The easy answer is lower scores, but it is a bit more involved. When we are fresh and more able, our forms and processes are stable. We are able to focus well and can complete every shot with command and good timing. As we tire, the first thing to deteriorate is the mental control we exert on every shot. What would not be acceptable under non stressed, normal conditions, becomes ‘acceptable’ when we tire. Timing will be negatively impacted as we either speed up to conserve energy, or slow down as it becomes harder to actuate the clicker (recurve shooters). As muscles tire, our form structure often breaks down as well. Bow shoulders rise, posture becomes less consistent and static positions that are normally very steady, become deformed.

While we don’t have to shoot a tournament’s worth of arrows prior to a tournament, we do need to increase our volume and frequency of practice. Marathoner’s do not run marathons prior to an event and we can follow the same approach. Increase your volume of arrows once a week, but the more important thing is to consistently practice. Here are a few things that might be helpful as you continue to get better at the sport. The following has been culled from World Archery/AI and describes what elite archers do. Of course we don’t have the time to shoot 200-400 arrows daily, but we can adapt the guidance to fit our circumstances.

I. Training & Physical Prep

• Weeks 1-2 Before: High-volume training (200-400 arrows/day) to build endurance, ensuring consistency in form.
• Final Week (Taper): Reduce volume to 50-60% to avoid burnout, focusing on quality shots.
• Scenario Training: Practice under competition conditions—time limits (e.g., 4 mins for 6 arrows), scoring every end, and shooting in expected weather (wind/heat).
• Target Simulation: Practice the exact distances of the tournament. 
• III. Mental & Physical Readiness

• Visualization: Mentally walk through the shot process, focusing on technique rather than just score.
• Breathing Techniques: Practice deep, controlled breathing (inhale through nose, slow exhale through mouth) to calm competition anxiety.
• Physical Care: Build up endurance with specific archery training (SPTs) or muscle conditioning.
• Routine: Establish a pre-shot routine to maintain focus and consistency.