Being a coach, means dedicating time to others. But like shooting, if you have that passion, it can be very rewarding. Becoming a Development Coach, means you have learned how to adapt coaching to tailor more effective and engaging sessions.
The progression pathway of a coach includes “3” levels:
- session coach – L1
- development coach – L2
- county and senior coach – L3 and L4 (currently undergoing a little bit of shape-shifting)
A Session Coach, knows how to introduce new members to archery in a safe and ideal way so they get the best chances at becoming world champions.
A Development Coach is essential in helping an archer improve their form and way of shooting.
County/Senior coach can manage squads and elite archers at their topmost level (like, getting them a coffee before they even ask for it!).
TAILORED SESSIONS
Going more in depth with the second one, a Development Coach can deliver a tailored multi-session plan that usually spans over a period of 2-3 months. This usually involves an initial and final assessment through a variety of systems (could be reps, reversals, videos), specific exercises to improve their form, goals setting, training programs and tuning at various degrees.
Sessions are spaced at weeks distances to allow the archer’s to improve according to a plan commonly agreed where the ultimate purpose is to empower the learner with the ability to self develop their form at an improved pace.
Having a better score, or a better form at the end of the multi-session period could nearly be considered a failure in coaching if the archer would have not also understood the principles behind the work done.
Shooting becomes secondary for one simple reason: you can’t decide at will to shoot all 10s – you must work to make it happen.
It’s far more important reviewing the way the archer has trained, than shooting arrows. It’s what the archer can take home, the proper understanding of development exercises the focus of every session.
Proper practice, leads to correct repetition. Good form, reduces variations.
If you wish to work at this level, just let the Head Coach know about your interest.
(special thanks to mentor Patrick and Marvel-Richard)
See you on the line,
Angelo