I read some of the comments on this board about the wind and how it was more luck than skill to work your way through the elimination process. I disagree with that assessment. After watching several rounds during these Games I have come to the conclusion that archery still picks it’s best. Although it is not a marathon archer like what I used to specialize in, it truly is a battle of expertise and nerves. Yes, the wind can play a factor and yes there is a bit of luck involved, but I believe that is the case in all events at these Games. I believe we do an injustice in stating that it is a game of luck when there is no doubt in my mind that the people who won and medaled deserved to be on that podium.
There are many really excellent archers at these Games and some showed some amazing brilliance at times while other times they faltered. This is not due to the wind but due to the mental aspect of the game. The wind was blowing equally on both archers during the match. There was no advantage on one side or the other. The gusting that occurred appeared to be felt by both. Over 90% of the shots that were made by truly the hot shooters during this time were in the 8 ring or better. The 7’s were very infrequent. The 6’s were rare and anything less than that was a matter of poor shot execution during the windy periods.
I watched Miranda, Jenny, Khatuna, Jacob, Jake and Brady shoot their rounds and at times there is no question they could be the best. However, their mental approach is weak. This is not to criticize but to show where they could excel and be far better than anyone if they so choose. When Miranda shot her first round, there was nobody who could have beaten her. Unfortunately, what happens next is an education in dealing with the mind. The doubt, the tension created, the lack of fluid motion, the timing change thus the wind magnified those issues and what normally could have been either a 10 or 9 during a calm event was turned into 8’s, 7’s and less. Jacob proved a similar action as to Miranda. Starting out exceptionally well and then started to tighten up. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. I believe in these archers and think they can be a dominant force in 4 years if they choose to learn from what they experienced at these Games. Their form and equipment is fine, but the mental aspect is still weak. I watched Jake shoot some excellent shots and he had the round without question, then all of a sudden things changed on a dime - mental. Brady shot unbelievable but could not shoot the 10’s he usually shoots. As a matter of fact, I found Brady to be the most capable of all, but when he tightened up just a little his shots became 9’s instead of 10’s, his 8’s instead of 9’s. Although it could have been a lot worse, he really shot well. He just needs to work a bit more on that mental game. Jenny struggled on the first round and I thought just maybe that would be in her favor for the next round, but she could not get going on the second round either. I read some of her comments before the Games started and thought maybe she would be able to break out of her lack of confidence but it is still there. Khatuna proved to be the strongest mentally. Her years of slowly working herself up the ladder is amazing and if she continues to work on the mental game and her drive and health is still there, she will be a challenge in 2016.
We all agree that the mental game is extremely important. But before it can be perfected the physical form and equipment must be in top shape as well. The mental game is not a cookie cutter system but a system that requires to be a match for the archer. There are archers who need stern and somber approaches while others need a happy relaxed state of mind. The perfect example was to watch the Gold medal match between the Ki Bo Bae and Roman and their coaches. Ki Bo Bae and her coach were all serious and virtually no time did you see much “happiness” going on, it was all determination but more of an attitude and it worked very well for her. Notice the other side where the Korean coach and the Mexican archer Roman. It also was noticeable during the bronze medal match between Khatuna and Avitia. These two Mexican archers turned around to see a smiling coach and one who got them to smile and laugh. This is a form of mental exercise and it worked exceptionally well for them. After all, who would have thought that Mexico would take the Silver and Bronze? Finding the right mental approach requires a sport psychologist and then a program that will require the diligence like physical training. The mind is no different than the body. It requires training. It is not developed over night. It takes time and patience. Some are born with it, but most are not. You have to develop the mind just like the body and then you will really see some results. You are only as strong as your weakest link. There are three links in archery; form, equipment and mental. You need all three to be at their best to be a Gold Medal winner.
The Mexican Archery Federation can be proud of what they accomplished and will probably become a stronger force in the future. The US can do the same but the mental game has to become more important for these archers to step up to the level of champions. The form is there and the equipment is there.
Again, I want to emphasize that I am not criticizing the US archers. I see so much talent and potential greatness in them, but it still must come from them, not from us. They have the tools to be the best. They just need to find a good strong mental program that works for them as individuals. America is not a culture that is simple, thus a mental program for each individual archer must be found to fit that particular archer’s personality.
There are many really excellent archers at these Games and some showed some amazing brilliance at times while other times they faltered. This is not due to the wind but due to the mental aspect of the game. The wind was blowing equally on both archers during the match. There was no advantage on one side or the other. The gusting that occurred appeared to be felt by both. Over 90% of the shots that were made by truly the hot shooters during this time were in the 8 ring or better. The 7’s were very infrequent. The 6’s were rare and anything less than that was a matter of poor shot execution during the windy periods.
I watched Miranda, Jenny, Khatuna, Jacob, Jake and Brady shoot their rounds and at times there is no question they could be the best. However, their mental approach is weak. This is not to criticize but to show where they could excel and be far better than anyone if they so choose. When Miranda shot her first round, there was nobody who could have beaten her. Unfortunately, what happens next is an education in dealing with the mind. The doubt, the tension created, the lack of fluid motion, the timing change thus the wind magnified those issues and what normally could have been either a 10 or 9 during a calm event was turned into 8’s, 7’s and less. Jacob proved a similar action as to Miranda. Starting out exceptionally well and then started to tighten up. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. I believe in these archers and think they can be a dominant force in 4 years if they choose to learn from what they experienced at these Games. Their form and equipment is fine, but the mental aspect is still weak. I watched Jake shoot some excellent shots and he had the round without question, then all of a sudden things changed on a dime - mental. Brady shot unbelievable but could not shoot the 10’s he usually shoots. As a matter of fact, I found Brady to be the most capable of all, but when he tightened up just a little his shots became 9’s instead of 10’s, his 8’s instead of 9’s. Although it could have been a lot worse, he really shot well. He just needs to work a bit more on that mental game. Jenny struggled on the first round and I thought just maybe that would be in her favor for the next round, but she could not get going on the second round either. I read some of her comments before the Games started and thought maybe she would be able to break out of her lack of confidence but it is still there. Khatuna proved to be the strongest mentally. Her years of slowly working herself up the ladder is amazing and if she continues to work on the mental game and her drive and health is still there, she will be a challenge in 2016.
We all agree that the mental game is extremely important. But before it can be perfected the physical form and equipment must be in top shape as well. The mental game is not a cookie cutter system but a system that requires to be a match for the archer. There are archers who need stern and somber approaches while others need a happy relaxed state of mind. The perfect example was to watch the Gold medal match between the Ki Bo Bae and Roman and their coaches. Ki Bo Bae and her coach were all serious and virtually no time did you see much “happiness” going on, it was all determination but more of an attitude and it worked very well for her. Notice the other side where the Korean coach and the Mexican archer Roman. It also was noticeable during the bronze medal match between Khatuna and Avitia. These two Mexican archers turned around to see a smiling coach and one who got them to smile and laugh. This is a form of mental exercise and it worked exceptionally well for them. After all, who would have thought that Mexico would take the Silver and Bronze? Finding the right mental approach requires a sport psychologist and then a program that will require the diligence like physical training. The mind is no different than the body. It requires training. It is not developed over night. It takes time and patience. Some are born with it, but most are not. You have to develop the mind just like the body and then you will really see some results. You are only as strong as your weakest link. There are three links in archery; form, equipment and mental. You need all three to be at their best to be a Gold Medal winner.
The Mexican Archery Federation can be proud of what they accomplished and will probably become a stronger force in the future. The US can do the same but the mental game has to become more important for these archers to step up to the level of champions. The form is there and the equipment is there.
Again, I want to emphasize that I am not criticizing the US archers. I see so much talent and potential greatness in them, but it still must come from them, not from us. They have the tools to be the best. They just need to find a good strong mental program that works for them as individuals. America is not a culture that is simple, thus a mental program for each individual archer must be found to fit that particular archer’s personality.
