COACHING

All archers are given the opportunity to develop their skills in a structured learning environment that constantly challenges the archer whilst providing both the support and encouragement needed to develop their core skills.

My objective is “Work hard, but enjoy what you do” where this applies both to the coach and the archer.

The coach needs to demonstrate effective leadership by maintaining the desired standards of behaviour within the group – and this is never more apparent than when dealing with children in large school groups. Effective leadership instils confidence in all the archers in that they know that their welfare and development is critical.

In developing an archer’s core skills the coach should be a good communicator and should lead by example. The archer should develop confidence, focus and core skills as well as enthusiasm for the sport.

It is important for the coach to embrace different coaching styles since one size does not fit all. Different archers have different learning styles and so  individual communication is important. This gives the archer  the opportunity to provide input to help deliver a program that is specific to their development.This means that a coach should be open to feedback, and in fact solicit feedback, as well as provide feedback.

In order for an archer to become the best that he or she is capable of becoming there should be mutual trust and commitment between the coach and the archer.

 All archers should be treated equally and should be treated fairly and consistently: no individual should be more important.For example, in the school context, it is all too common to find a child who vies for attention and who wishes to dominate a coaching session.The setting of short term goals in consultation with the archer  will provide him / her with  direction and motivation.

The coach should support and encourage the archer and aim to build self esteem in each of the archers.

Winning and losing should be kept in perspective and the coach should teach the archer to be successful. This is where the fun element of archery should never be ignored.