What is ADM?
Archery is a lifelong, family sport. USA Archery recognizes the responsibility to develop athletes through physically, psychologically, and emotionally healthy means so they can participate
and enjoy the sport for a lifetime. USA Archery has created the ADM (Athlete Development model) that will provide the best opportunity for success for our athletes while keeping them involved in the sport for as long as possible.
This model recognizes various stages of development, considering the age of the athletes. Today I want to talk about the stage between 12-15 years of age, also called Progress Stage.
AGES 12-15
The second stage of the development process occurs after an athlete has been engaged in archery and wants to explore more organized training options. This stage focuses on refining the skills needed to be successful in
archery, and then furthering skill development through challenges, such as club competitions, state, regional, and some national championship competitions.
Athlete Focus
Athletes should understand the rules of events, aim to master the FUNdamentals of Archery (safety and the foundation of the shot process), and learn the basics of mental concentration and focus. Athletes should also continue to participate in multiple sports for continued motor and physical development. This is time to participate in a fun and structured JOAD program and begin to compete at the local, state, and regional levels. Coaches should emphasize practice and skill development over competing and understand the impact on performance due to different maturation rates.
Competition:
Athletes should look to compete recreationally in individual and team competitions at the local and state levels with some athletes competing nationally. JOAD league or virtual competitions will provide great opportunities for athletes to develop competition skills.
Training:
The training will be divided into two stages which are the following:
AGES 12-13
• Draw Weight: 15-24 lb. recurve bow/15-35 lb. compound bow
• Volume: 60-150 arrows/day total
• 1-2.5 hour training sessions per day (45 minutes shooting, 10-minute
break, 45 minutes shooting, 10-minute break, 45 minutes shooting)
• Three to five training sessions per week through a JOAD Program
• May include mental training, cardiovascular training, and coordination
training
AGES 14-15
• Draw Weight: 20-30 lb. recurve/20-45 lb. compound
• Volume: 72-250 arrows/day total
• 1-3 hour training sessions per day (45 minutes shooting, 10-minute
break, 45 minutes shoot-ing, 30-minute break, 45 minutes shooting,
10-minute break, 45 minutes shooting)
• Three to five training sessions per week through a JOAD Program
• May include mental training, cardiovascular training, and coordination
training
It is necessary to understand that the loads recommended in this model are designed for highly committed athletes, in the particular case of ours at Li’l Abner Foundation, it is necessary to find a balance between academic activities, other sports, and the family activities of each individual.
An important point is that no matter how many arrows the athlete shoots per week if they do not follow the structure practiced in classes according to the NTS (National Training System). This system must be the foundation for everyone, in order to achieve the technique that allows them to continue in the future in a safe way and obtaining the desired results.
Finally, both for parents and athletes, it is necessary to understand that at this time the focus should be on the process and not on the outcome. Pushing yourself to do 10’s every time is not productive. Understanding that continuing to practice the steps of the technique and enjoying Archery training time is the main goal, will help you achieve all the other goals you have set.
Alvaro Ubeda
Program Director
USA Archery Level 3-NTS Coach
