Nerves are fine in archery, as long as you know how to control them and use them to your advantage.
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That’s what Griffith City Archers coach Ben Pawson has been drilling into Maddie Salvestro and Jarrod Rossiter as he prepares the 16-year-olds for the World Youth Archery Championships in the US from June 8-14.
The world stage can be an intimidating place for a couple of teenagers from country NSW, but Pawson doesn’t want Salvestro and Rossiter to feel overawed.
Instead, he wants them to remember they belong in elite company.
“With their form itself, they’ve been there and done that. Their shot is now second nature,” Pawson said.
“When you get to the high-level stuff, 90 per cent of the shot is now your mental focus.
“If you’re matching off against the world number two or something, that’s when you need to focus on letting your shot process take over.
“Instead of panicking about the situation, you let yourself relax, clear your head and let the form and technique you’ve known for years take over.”
Pawson has no doubt Salvestro and Rossiter have the talent to succeed in the US but has stressed the importance of a good mental preparation before each shoot.
Salvestro should know what to expect after competing at the world youth event in China in 2013, but Rossiter is a rookie at international level.
“Maddie’s form’s there and she’s shooting fine, so now it’s all just mental stuff and making sure she’s prepared for what’s going to happen,” Pawson said. “If you turn up and there are 300 kids next to you from all over the world, it’s a big thing.
“For Jarrod, being his first one of these, probably the hardest thing is to make sure his head is right and the nerves don’t kick in too much before he can use his nerves to his advantage.
“But both are feeling the best they have for a long time, so they should do well.”
Salvestro and Rossiter are part of a 12-member Australian team heading to the championships and made the squad after hitting a world qualifying score on three separate occasions.
“To do what they’re doing, especially two from the same club, is pretty good,” Pawson said.