Team Balance
Posted On: 04-30-2025
Start with fundamentals for all. Be consistent even if some are better. It has always been the case that most people want to learn only what they do not know and disregard what they already know. I say that in response to starting EVERYONE with the basics. It might be aggravating to some, but all houses start with a foundation no matter how big, magnificent, stately or functional. Take the time to instill in them the basics so they can recall it when they struggle. Continue to reinforce the basics and call it what it is so they know how to recall. I always love to hear from shooters that they recalled something that was taught, and it helped them correct a problem.
Years ago, after obtaining my private pilot’s license, I decided to get my master’s degree in aviation accident investigation. It was exciting and something I always wanted to do. When I met with my advisor, he told me I would start all over with the basics of a private pilot license and I just did not want to do that over. So, I get it when young shooters don’t want to start all over. In hindsight I regret that decision, but life went on.
Make the foundations part of the first times you meet with a group. Don’t assume they all know everything. You talk about hold points and some have no clue what you mean. Foot work, body movement, pre-shot routine, target acquisition, follow through may be well known to some but even so it never hurts to make sure they truly know it and implement what you are teaching.
Time you teach is short and each moment you have with your shooters must count towards positive growth and understanding of the concepts of shooting. Be instructional and formative. Keep in mind all youth learn at different rates so doing an exercise on hold points works for most kids, doing an exercise on hard right targets might be tough to absorb. Know you kids, talk to them, be their coach.
Finish with a victory is something I have always practiced; it goes back to my days of playing basketball and at the end of practice we had to shoot 10 free throws straight with each person shooting only two at a time. I can tell you some days it came easy and other days we were very late getting home. So, make sure your kids don’t end with a miss but rather with a hit. Try it sometime with five on the line or two on each station and see if they as a group can hit ten straight. Keep them on it until they do, and you will see progress and teamwork develop.
Finally, instill a passion for success. Make sure all your shooters gain attention for the good they do even if small. Always be positive. Take the time to slow it all down and show them what you mean when you correct their shooting. This too will go a long way in team building, leaderships and respect.