One of archery’s greatest challenges is shooting the same in competition as you do in practice. Tournament pressure has a way of hurting accuracy. Suddenly you can’t aim steadily, or you hold your shots longer than usual.

To prepare for intense competition, create pressure while practicing. By using these tips, you’ll feel more comfortable in tournaments and improve your scores.

Shoot Matches

Nothing gets adrenaline pumping like head-to-head matches. For this exercise, shoot a match with a friend just like the pros do in big competitions. If you shoot a recurve, use a set system. If you use a compound, shoot 15 arrows for score.

Also practice one-arrow shoot-offs, with the closest arrow to center winning.

Shot Timer

Tournaments also add pressure with time constraints. Therefore, use a timer during practice to get comfortable shooting under the clock. A timer and scoring apps make shot clocks easy. You’ll have two minutes to fire three arrows during tournaments. If that’s too easy during practice, boost the pressure by shaving time off the shot clock.

Score

The biggest difference between practice and competition is that your shots count in tournaments. When shots have consequences, they can make you tighten up and try too hard. Dedicate a practice day to mock competition where you keep score, take no mulligans, and learn what you must work on.

Practice Tournaments

Use small tournaments as learning experiences to prepare for state and national tournaments. If you approach local tournaments as tests, you can try new techniques and equipment to gain valuable experience.

Practicing with purpose is the most effective way to improve your shooting. Devote specific days to mastering certain aspects of your form, and other days to testing new techniques through mock competitions.

Turn your local archery range into a competitive practice area by following these tips. You’ll reduce your competitive anxieties and make competition feel more like practice. To find an archery range near you click, here.