The Week Before: Set Yourself Up for Success
Competition performance is largely determined before you arrive at the venue. The week leading into a tournament is where mental and logistical preparation pays dividends — or where last-minute panic undermines months of training.
Equipment Check
Run a full equipment audit 5–7 days before the event, not the night before. Check:
- Bowstring: Look for fraying, separation at the loops, or uneven strands. Replace if there's any doubt.
- Limbs: Check for cracks, delamination, or twist. Inspect the limb-bolt area on takedown bows.
- Arrows: Spin-test every arrow on a flat surface to check for bend. Inspect nocks and fletchings. Replace damaged arrows — don't bring compromised equipment to a competition.
- Sight and stabiliser: Confirm all fittings are tight. Mark your sight settings with a permanent marker so you can return to them if knocked.
- Spare kit: Pack a spare nocking point, spare nocks, extra fletching tape, a small Allen key set, and string wax.
Training Taper
The three days before a competition, reduce your training volume. Shooting 200 arrows two days before a tournament fatigues your muscles and introduces technical doubts. Light shooting — 50–60 arrows focused on rhythm and confidence, not refinement — is ideal. The day before, many elite archers shoot only a short warm-up and then rest.
Competition Morning
Nutrition and Hydration
Archery is a sport of sustained concentration. Blood sugar dips will cost you points. On competition day:
- Eat a balanced breakfast 2–3 hours before shooting begins
- Bring slow-release snacks: nuts, fruit, oat bars — nothing that will spike and crash your energy
- Hydrate consistently throughout the day. Dehydration causes concentration lapses that show up in your score before you feel thirsty
Arrive Early
Arriving at least 45 minutes before the scheduled start lets you:
- Register without rushing
- Walk the venue, find your target, and assess wind and lighting conditions
- Warm up your body and equipment without time pressure
Understanding Tournament Formats
Familiarise yourself with the specific format before you compete in it:
| Format | Distances | Arrows | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA 720 (Recurve/Compound) | 70m (recurve) / 50m (compound) | 72 arrows | 6 arrows per end, 4 min per end |
| WA 1440 (Outdoor) | 90/70/50/30m | 144 arrows | Full day event, multiple distances |
| WA 18m (Indoor) | 18m | 60 arrows | 3 arrows per end, 2 min per end |
| Elimination Match Play | Varies | 15 arrows (5 sets) | Set system — strategy changes |
Managing the Mental Game
Pre-Shot Routine
Your pre-shot routine is your anchor in a sea of competition variables. It should be so well-rehearsed that it runs on autopilot under pressure. Every step — stance, nock, set, draw, aim, release — should take the same amount of time, every single end. Deviation in your routine almost always precedes a poor shot.
Dealing with Nerves
Competition nerves are normal and — when managed — helpful. They sharpen focus. The problem is when they trigger tension in the bow arm, rushing in the draw, or premature release. Use these tactics:
- Slow your breathing: A long exhale before drawing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing physical tension.
- Narrow your focus: Between ends, think of nothing but your next shot's process — not your current score, not other competitors.
- Use a cue word: A single word that triggers your best shooting state — "smooth", "trust", "still" — spoken internally before each shot.
Scoring Strategy
In match play formats with a set system, strategy matters. A 5-arrow set won by even one point earns you 2 set points, the same as winning by 20 points. This means consistency beats brilliance. Prioritise landing every arrow safely in a high-scoring zone rather than risking the X-ring and missing entirely.
After the Competition
Regardless of your result, conduct a honest review within 24–48 hours while the experience is fresh. What worked? What broke down under pressure? Which technical areas need work before the next event? Record this in a training journal. Competitive experience is only valuable if you extract lessons from it.
Every competition — win or lose — is a data point. Use it wisely.