Many do not truly know what goes through an archer’s head when they are standing on the line awaiting their turn to shoot. When standing seconds before a flight, an archer’s mind must be focused on one thing: the target. No matter what else is floating around in their head, the archer must clear all of their thoughts before shooting their first arrow. 

Senior Jasmyne Oassay Waddell believes that if an archer has too much on their mind, it is harder to focus. “When I first get to the line, I usually have the song All Star stuck in my head. Sometimes I can get into my head and sike myself out which causes me to shoot badly, so I usually try to have a clear mind,” said Waddell. “Archery is all about focus and discipline,” she said. This is her sixth year being involved in archery. 

Sophomore Halle Copeland said it is important to take into consideration stance, form, and where to aim. Before she shoots, Copeland clears her mind completely. “I really like how when you’re so focused on the arrow, you don’t exactly pay attention to what’s happening around you. It’s like you’re in your own little world,” Copeland said. 

Junior Lee Houser likes the feeling of “just getting up onto the line” right before he shoots. Houser is able to control what he can do with his shot, as well as the outcome. “Nobody else can really change that,” he said.