Coaching structure and continuing education in Israel

Following prior contacts and collaborations between the Israeli Archery Federation and World Archery, our Development and Education Director Pascal COLMAIRE was invited for a mission of coaching assistance in Israel.

Entitled “Advancing to the International Level” the mission was held on 7-10 October 2014 at the Wingate Sports Institute, a national multisport centre not far from Tel Aviv.

How to put in place an efficient archery structure and an efficient coaching system is something fundamental nowadays. Competition is no longer only between talented athletes but also on the level of professionalisation of National Sport Organisations.

Among key concepts are getting consensuses on how to coach – coaches' collaboration and use of simple coaching tools and methods that everyone can use; coaching harmonisation to facilitate the growth of elite archers; cooperation with administrators of the National Archery Federation and coaches.

In the spirit of becoming more professional the group worked on how to do a training plan using a case of study of a serious amateur archer who can spent up to 20 hours per week. A pragmatic approach, spreading the available time was used.

Due to limited time, the work of how to analyse an archer was done on the archery specific physical and technical elements. Simple cheap technologies were used, such as the Laser head Remloc and a free software of sport movement analysis. The audience learnt what to film and from where, and also how to remotely assist an archer who is leaving far from the coach.

Another topic addressed was how to coach an elite archer during a competition. Using what experts call the 'cooperative principle', the coach is a partner/collaborator of the athlete and assists him/her in his/her progress and development. The coach regularly ask the athlete what he would like to do/train and how.

The group had practical examples of skill developments and practiced some psychological exercises such as mental imagery, visual discipline and breathing control. These exercises were particularly well received by the participants.

Everyone had a chance to ask Pascal COLMAIRE some tips either for their athletes or for their own shooting. This ultimate session also had a striking success.

Even if it is too early to report any outcome of this coaching mission, a coaching committee should soon be put in place and a person has already been identified to be in charge of the coaching harmonisation in Israel. The application to the 'Development of the National Sport Structure' programme of the Olympic Solidarity is already under serious consideration.

For more information and/or similar projects, do not hesitate to contact the World Archery Development and Education Department.