Photo courtesy of Abby's Archery on Facebook.
Last week, USA Archery introduced the Train to Win Challenge, a virtual challenge that awarded points for repetitions of training practices or arrows shot in different activities.
World Champion, World Record Holder and World No. 1 Brady Ellison took up the challenge, saying he did not want to get beat in any type of competition. After a long week of training, the world champion came out on top, scoring 3,864 points.
In second place, 12-year-old Abigail Kippes scored 3,448 points, just behind the 31 year old champion Ellison. 9-year-old William Templin finished third with 2,023 points.
Abby Kippes commented: “Since the quarantine, I’ve actually had more time to train. I’m lucky to have a range at home and be able to still work with my coach, Mel Nichols at Pineapple Archery Training Center. This week, I even got to train with Brady and Toja Ellison which pushed me to work even harder. Thankfully, archery has been something fun I can still do even in this strange time.”
Now it’s time for Week 2, and Olympian Mackenzie Brown is joining the Challenge! “I really miss competing and am excited to join this challenge with y’all! Even though so much has been postponed this season, I’m still training hard every day and will use this challenge to get ready for events later this year,” shared Brown.
Let’s use this time to continue to improve and get better. DON’T LET THE COMPETITION PASS YOU BY! We will continue the Train to Win Challenge for archers. The USA Archery Train to Win Challenge for archers to compete against other archers regardless of their home training situation. The Train to Win Challenge assigns different point totals for repetitions or arrows shot for different training activities. The more difficult or mentally intense the activity, the more points awarded per arrow shot/repetition. This week’s activities include:
Participants will input their daily totals in each category into the Train to Win Challenge Scorecard. The point total winner of week 2 will receive a free t-shirt of their choice from the USA Archery store (winner must have a valid U.S. mailing address to claim prize).
To join the competition, participants need to:
A complete description of the activities can be found below:
Blank Bale - This encompasses all shooting at a target butt that has no target face on it. Record your daily totals; however, this low intensity activity is worth the least amount of points. Arrows shot at blank bale are worth .5 points each.
Holding SPT
Holding SPT allows the archer to develop strength and endurance bracing the bow. Without an arrow loaded, the archer will simply follow the steps of the shot process using a bow or stretch band until they reach the holding position. They will brace the bow for 10 to 30 seconds. The archer will rest for 40-60 seconds and repeat the process again. It is important that the archer is reminded not to dry fire the bow during this drill. Compound archers can practice this exercise with a stretch band, string loop, or training aid. This activity is physically taxing and is worth 2 points per repetition and athletes should not exceed 45 minutes per day.
Flexibility SPT
Flexibility SPT is similar to a drill that historically been called “clicker drills”. This exercise helps the archer build expansion strength. The archer will be on the shooting line with a target mat at 5 meters and will have a small target face to aim at. The archer will have an arrow loaded and will go through the shot process through holding. During the expand/aim step, the archer will continue to expand for up to 10 seconds after the “click” of the clicker. The archer will then set down, rest for 1 minute and then repeat the drill for up to 15 times. It is important to note that aiming is an essential part of this drill. Once the archer can maintain a smooth expansion for the 10 seconds past the click, the archer should maintain their eye focus on the aiming spot/small target. Compound archers can practice this exercise with a training aid such as a Saunders Firing Line or Morin Trainer band. This drill should not be performed for compound archers or with a compound bow. This activity is worth 1 point per repetition and athletes should not exceed 20 repetitions per day.
Power SPT
Power SPT allows the archer to develop strength and power in drawing the bow from the Set-Up position to the Loading position. Without an arrow loaded, the archer will simply follow the shot process to the Set-Up position. The coach will give the archer the command to pull and the archer will draw the bow back to loading, anchor, transfer and hold. After holding for about 2 seconds the coach will give the command to let down to the Set-Up position by saying “down”. The archer will do 5-10 reps. The archer will rest for 2 minutes between sets and do a total of 5 to 12 sets. It is important that the archer is reminded not to dry fire the bow during this drill. This drill should not be performed for archers with a compound bow. This activity is worth 1 point per repetition and should not exceed 12 sets.
Stretch Band Shooting/String Loop/Compound Training Aid
This activity simply involves going through the shot process with a stretch band, string loop, or other training device such as a firing line for compound. This activity is worth 1 point per repetition.
Shot Trainer
This activity involves using a shot trainer or form master and is for recurve/barebow archers only. Compound archers should not use a shot trainer. Each shot with the shot trainer is worth 2 points.
Scoring - Ranking Rounds
This activity simply involves keeping track of the total number of arrows shot in ranking round scoring practice. This can be done at any distance. Feel free to download these printable resizable targetsfor those of you who only have the option of shooting up close. This activity is worth 2 points per arrow scored. Note: you do not have to submit your scores, just the arrow totals shot per day.
Gold Game
Gold Game is a training activity Resident Athletes shoot to prepare for elimination matches, specifically Finals matches. The rules of the game are:
For this weekly competition, each archer will only input the total number of arrows shot in their Gold Game training. Each arrow shot is worth 3 points for the Train to Win Challenge.
Virtual Elimination Match
This can be fun and can be done at any distance. Archers can challenge any friend(s) to any number of elimination matches. Compound archers would shoot the compound round and Recurve and Barebow archers would shoot a Set Play round. If you and your opponent can’t shoot the same distance, consider giving a handicap to level the playing ground. Arrows shot in virtual matches are worth 4 points each! Consider shooting your match over FaceTime, Google Duo, or other social media apps. Parents should make sure minors are in compliance with the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) if in contact with athletes over the age of 18.
Example of a Correctly Completed Scorecard:
