One of my personally coached archers has really been on a high this season. He shot a personal best and earned his Junior Olympic Bronze at Indoor Nationals this year shooting a 285/300. He did great at State Outdoor Championships this year finally getting over the hump of first round eliminations. We've had a lot of high fives, fist bumps and hugs at the end of tournaments.

Then came the new bow...

It's been an adjustment he's struggled with. The new bow has got a heavier mass weight as well as a heavier draw weight. As with making any major change; performance and scores are going to decrease before the previous level of performance can be achieved or surpassed. The problem with my student has been frustration. Frustration has led to doubt. Doubt has led to panic with a major national tournament coming up next weekend.

I received an e-mail from his mom that he was really looking forward to our lesson on Wednesday because he felt he really needed my help. One one hand it's an honor to think that I've earned that level of trust. On the other, it's a little scary to think that an archer is somewhat dependent on me.

The lesson started with a laundry list from my student on what he wanted to work on. We talked and agreed with a major tournament coming up, reduce that list to just one or two things to concentrate on. Work on maintaining consistency not trying to attain perfection. We agreed to quit experimenting with release techniques and go back to his original technique with the hinge. We agreed on building and keeping a strong bow arm. His groups started to shrink down from he was shooting during initial warmups.

I had originally planned on ending the lesson practicing for elimination rounds with a virtual opponent. Using previous score sheets from tournaments or a random number generator I put my students through simulated elimination rounds so they can focus on the mental game in preparation for the real thing. Then my student said, “Coach, why don’t you grab your bow?”

So I did and we shot a full elimination round against each other. My only coaching instructions, quit thinking about it and just shoot your bow! We both took it seriously but had fun, a little respectful trash talking while walking up and down range. His groups shrank even further In the end my student had his confidence back, a smile on his face and I had a challenge to a rematch. He’s now looking forward to the upcoming tournament and not dreading it.

Did it work? I'll have to wait until next week's tournament to see. Unfortunately I'm judging next weekend and I won't be able to act as a coach. I think a lot of times when performing at such a high level, monotony steps in. It's time to return to basics, not just in form but remembering why one started a sport and getting back to what made it fun.

I have to say this week has been a moment for me in coaching. It's fun at tournaments to give high fives and fist bumps when things go right. It's a humbling moment when an athlete I coach looks to me to solve the problem. It's like, "Oh shit! What do I do?" There's really no manual to look at for the answers. At his level of performance there's not an easy fix of adjust his feet or straightening his wrist. It's really being more of a psychiatrist of trying to get my archer to believe and have confidence in himself.

So that's where we're at. We've got a team practice tomorrow and hopefully a final sight in on Wednesday before heading out to California. I've just got to start listening to what I have told my student this week. I've got to have faith as well.

Patches: You couldn't hit water if you fell out of a boat! Where's your killer instinct, son? You gotta get angry! You gotta get MEAN! That's the only way you can play!

Gordon: Well, I guess I'm not really an angry person.

[Patches punches Gordon in the crotch and watches as he collapses]

Patches: Are you angry now?