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Laura

Army

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Avalon Coaching Services

 

Background

The introduction of the new Avalon Coaching services were as a direct result of members discussions at one of the infamous Not the AGM’s It was widely agreed that Avalon had consistently failed to attract a level membership that could in fees alone cover the cost of the rent for the woods. It was recognised that a major benefit of this would be the removal of our financial reliance on open shoots, and the immense amount of work and commitment required from all those that worked to put them on. It was widely recognised that we did not cater at all well for the new archer or those new to field archery, indeed their had been an unwritten policy that the club was simply for Archers and that we did not have coaches or facilities to introduce and encourage new Archers to the sport. It was also noted that the NFAS now had a new policy of a provisional membership, which required all Archers irrespective of experience, to be passed as competent to shoot at NFAS Open shoots. Nev Wilson noted that he had been a coach since 2000 and would be more than happy to run a Basic Training Course. Jim Gillespie confirmed that he had recently obtained the NFAS Coaching Certificate and volunteered to help. It was agreed that the course would ensure that new members could be brought to the standard required to comply with the new NFAS policy and was also expected to encourage new members to join Avalon.

Objective of the Coaching Services

It was agreed that the new service would not simply show new Archers how to shoot a bow but to provide new Archers joining Avalon some experience in Field Archery. It was also recognised that the process had to get beginners and experienced Archers into full membership of the NFAS in combined course. The training was to be split into two separate parts; making use of both coaches to facilitate the differing demands on coaching time of both new Archers and those experienced Archers from other organisations. It was also agreed that the coaching service would need to be self financing and therefore whilst the club held a good selection of training bows and arrows to get started all training would need to be charged at a rate that will provide adequate funds for repairs and replacement of equipment. It is also required given the frequency that coaches have to be at the woods for training travelling costs for the coaches will also be met out of the training fees. There will be no burden on club funds of the training process, the benefit to the club will be new member fees which will be added to the training fees

The Coaching Process

A course date is set and as each candidate applies he or she is booked onto the planned course as part of the application process an assessment of each applicants ability is carried out on a one to one basis, there is a nominal charge for this assessment to travelling cost and wear and tear on equipment. The assessment will determine which category the individual belongs, either Experienced or Beginner section then that person will be allocated to one of the two coaches who will then become responsible for that individual, to include schedule attendance, progress and planning attendance and the fees for attendance.

Basic Training Course

New Archers

  • Assessment Day
    • Establish dominant eye (left handed or right handed)
  • Draw Length, Instruction in safety, and basic technical functions of equipment (a little go in the training area)
    • Establish that they have applied for provisional membership to NFAS, £ 10 assessment fee and sign them up for Beginners Basic Course
  • First Session
    • Introduction to Bows, Arrows and Styles, Brief History of NFAS (difference between Field Archery and all other styles) Target types, Courses, etc, some safety rules on handling equipment (what you should do and don’t do with a bow and arrow) Explanation of Auxiliary Equipment (bracers, tabs, etc)
  • Second Session
    • Start with release six arrows into the ground until release is pretty smooth
    • First serious attempt to hit what they are shooting at
    • Stance Feet firmly planted at right angles to target
    • Bow hold and correct arm extension
    • Hold anchor point
    • Smooth release
    • Practice whole session shooting fixed target
  • Third session
    • Above Shooting position but moving to different distances 10 yards forwards backwards 20 yards forward again one arrow at different distances
    • Talk about safety in awkward standing positions   foot up against the peg
    • Shooting positions which differ from any other Archery
  • Fourth session
    • Examination
    • Escorted shoot around training course with Coach to asses competence and safety appreciation
    • If successful sign for full membership of NFAS
  • A certificate will be awarded certifying successful completion of the course

Experienced Archers

  • Assessment Day
    • Demonstrate their ability to shoot
    • Establish which style they choose to shoot at Field Archery
  • Session 1,2&3
    • Agree schedule for three weekend sessions (2 hrs) accompanied by a Coach or Coaching staff member of Avalon around Course Shooting a selection of targets available at the time
  • Fourth Session
    • Examination
    • Escorted shoot around training course with Coach to asses competence and safety appreciation
    • If successful sign for full membership of NFAS
  • A certificate will be awarded certifying successful completion of the course

Coaching Reports