From wobble boards to yawning, the tricks used by GB archers to tackle pressure

TL;DR

British archers Thea Rogers and Megan Costall use unique techniques like yawning and wobble boards to manage pressure during competitions. Their mental preparation is crucial for success in high-stress environments.

Key points

Thea Rogers and Megan Costall are British archers.
They use unique techniques to manage competition pressure.
Wobble boards and yawning are part of their mental preparation.
They are part of Archery GB's World Class Programme.
They recently competed in Turkey.

Mentioned in this story

Turkey

Archery GBWorld Class Programme

A woman with a white and blue top, tied-back brown hair and a light brown cap holding a bow and arrow and looking down a sight

Megan Costall said one of her tricks to fight nerves was to yawn a lot [Turkish Archery Federation]

Wobble boards, water paints and dancing are all part of the preparation for two young British archers who attempt to stay relaxed and get themselves ready for the pressure of major competitions.

Thea Rogers and Megan Costall are part of Archery GB's World Class Programme and have recently returned from competing in Turkey.

As well as practicing hitting the target, their mental preparations include activities to reduce stress and remain calm in the high-pressure arena of top-level sport.

They also look for ways to "get a little bit of separation" from competing.

The pair, both from Wales, live in Shropshire so they can train at Archery GB's Performance Archery Centre at Lilleshall.

The £3.6m facility opened in 2024 and is a place where the British archers can work with their coaches and support staff.

Costall, 22, said: "Lots of people say that archery is an individual sport but the amount of support and the community, it's a team thing really."

Because competing for medals in a major competition with large crowds is very different from shooting arrows on a quiet range, the archers try to simulate that pressure.

But Costall said: "I find it really hard to recreate the feelings of pressure with consequences and rewards."

As well as doing a lot of weight training and cardiovascular work, she sprints to and from the targets to get her heart rate up, to simulate the effect nerves can have.

She also shoots while standing on a wobble board to simulate unstable ground and attaches a water bottle to the rod on the front of her bow to simulate the effect of wind.

Sometimes, she said she even did a little dance on the range to relax.

A woman with a red top and a black shoulder support with a pink beanie hat, holding a black bow with a green background

Q&A

What mental techniques do British archers use to manage competition pressure?

British archers like Thea Rogers and Megan Costall use techniques such as yawning, wobble boards, and dancing to manage competition pressure.

Who are Thea Rogers and Megan Costall in the context of archery?

Thea Rogers and Megan Costall are young British archers part of Archery GB's World Class Programme, recently competing in Turkey.

How do wobble boards help archers prepare for competitions?

Wobble boards are used by archers to improve balance and stability, which can help them stay relaxed and focused during competitions.

What is the significance of mental preparation in archery?

Mental preparation is crucial in archery as it helps athletes like Rogers and Costall reduce stress and maintain calmness in high-pressure situations.