NFAA® CALENDAR
OLYMPIC STORY | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 archers participate in weekly tournaments keeping their games in tip-top form the year around. In my opinion, no special pre-Olympic training sessions would be needed for the United States to send top-notch teams to the Olympics. I don’t have accurate numbers of archers who use recurve or compound bows in the United States. I don’t think anyone has those numbers. More youngsters throughout the world are and have been exposed to shooting compound bows particularly because of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). Here in the United States, because of NASP, millions of school children have participated in archery using a compound bow. NASP has progressed from local, state and national championships and even to a World Championship. Every participant in those tournaments uses a
compound bow. Here is what I suggest. The archery leaders in the United States should come together with international archery groups and petition the International Olympic Committee to recognize compound bows in the Olympic Games. Remember, archery could be a summer or winter games event. Much of the equipment and clothing used in most Olympic sports has evolved and is evolving to enhance athlete performance. Archery is no exception, but more can be done here. Here’s another idea. Why not alternate when recurve and compound bows could be used in the Olympic Games? For instance, in 2016 use compound bows. Four years later, use recurve bows. I cannot think of one reason why compound bows should continue to be banned from Olympic Games. ■
2012
TOURNAMENT
of events
DATES
VENUE
New England Indoor Sectional .........................................April 13-15 .......................................Lunenberg, MA Northwest Indoor Sectional ........................................... March 10-11................................... Various Locations Southeast Indoor Sectional ............................................. March 9-11.................................... Various Locations Southern Indoor Sectional ............................................. March 10-11................................... Various Locations Southwest Indoor Sectional ............................................January 1-31 ................................... Various Locations NFAA Indoor National Championships ............. March 31-April 1 .............................. Louisville, KY Southeast 3D Sectional ....................................................April 14-15 .................................... Various Locations NFAA Marked 3D Championship ............................. May 4-6 .......................................Redding, CA Redding Trail Shoot................................................. May 4-6 .......................................Redding, CA
WASTING PRACTICE TIME | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
Southwest Outdoor Sectional .......................................... May 19-20 ............................................................... Southeast Outdoor Sectional ........................................... May 25-26 ...............................................................
than the normal shooting rhythm, the form begins to breakdown and a bad shot will follow. Once you are satisfied with your form, put up a five-spot target at ten yards. Shoot the same shot as you did when blank baling. If it is not the very same shot, then shoot one arrow at the target and the next at blank bale until the two shots are identical. Many times the presence of the target “short-circuits” the brain, because there is too much emphasis placed on aiming. Let the pin float on the target and execute the same shot as you do while blank baling. When the shot is the same, back up to twenty yards and repeat the process. The only really important thing is to shoot identical form with every shot. Let the pin float and it will hit the mark. Practice is also the time when you learn to develop your mental control and concentration level. Treat every shot as the most important shot you will shoot that day. If you think the shot isn’t there or you have negative thoughts, let it down, refocus, and start over. Do not shoot shots in practice that you would not want to shoot in a championship. Practice is where you teach yourself the required discipline that you will need in a tournament. You only have one chance with each arrow in a competition. You owe it to yourself to make sure you shoot it with the best form that you are capable of shooting. Fifty quality practice shots are of more value than five hundred undisciplined shots. ■ 18 ARCHERY MAGAZINE
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March/April 2012
Southern Outdoor Sectional ............................................. June 9-10 .................................. Oklahoma City, OK Big Sky Open, Grand Junction ......................................... June 15-17 ................................ Grand Junction, CO Great Lakes Outdoor Sectional ......................................... June 23-24 ............................................Ypsilanti, MI Mid Atlantic Outdoor Sectional........................................ June 16-17 ............................................................... New England Outdoor Sectional ...................................... June 16-17 ............................................................... Northwest Outdoor Sectional .......................................... June 16-17 ............................................................... Midwest Outdoor Sectional ............................................. June 23-24 ............................................................... First Dakota National Bank Classic ..........................July 7-8 ....................................... Yankton, SD NFAA National Field Championships ......................July 25-29 ..........................Mechanicsburg, PA North American Field Archery Championships ................... Dec 7-9....................................Homestead, Florida
2013 The Vegas Shoot ...................................................... Feb 8-10 ................................... Las Vegas, NV NFAA Indoor National Championships ........................... March 16-17..........................................Louisville, KY NFAA National Field Championships .................................July 24-28 ....................................... Darrington, WA Please visit www.nfaa-archery.org for complete details and tournament information. scores, tournament info and more at www.nfaa-archery.org 19