[Archers] Youth Target Archery Marshal Program

[John Atkins]

Thank you Nuala for opening this can of worms.  Being accused of often
bringing up only the negative let me say this, I COULD NOT AGREE WITH
YOU MORE!  I too, believe that many of our archery marshals could
seriously use a "refresher course".  I have seen situations that were,
at best, marginal, and some that weren't even marginal!  I've seen
marshals "running the line" while sitting 10 feet behind and 20 feet off
the end of the line so they could be sitting under a sun shade!  I've
seen marshals refuse perfectly good bows because they did not know what
they were inspecting.  I've seen ranges that I seriously questioned the
safety of and was told "It's OK'.  (For those who are going to ask, yes,
I did bring these issues to the attention of the marshal at fault.)  And
I believe Nuala is correct, every MIT should, if at all possible, do a
turn at a big war, or at least a big event, i.e. War of the Wings,
Kingdom Champion Shoot.  Where else will they get the exposure to such a
variety of equipment as at one of these events?
 
Do I think the archery marshals of Atlantia as a whole are ill equipped?
Not at all.  I've done a few non-SCA shoots and some of them have been
flat out scary!  We look like "the cowboy after OSHA" compared to them!
But we have a few marshals who serve as examples of this discussion
(I've seen some out of kingdom marshals who fit this scary definition as
well).
 
As for the age of youth marshals, I still think a mature 15 year old can
do the job.  I've been coaching kids ice hockey teams for over 17 years
now.  I've coached ages from 6 to 18 years old.  I've worked with
several kids 15 years old who would be excellent, conscientious
marshals.  I've also worked with some kids at 18 who would scare me if
they were a marshal!  So maturity is the operative word here along with
a good screening process.
 
cog

-----Original Message-----
From: archers-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:archers-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Holly
Gibbons
Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 2:34 PM
To: archers at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
Subject: Re: [Archers] Youth Target Archery Marshal Program



Ok, so here's my humble opinion.
 
Have we checked with the Thrown Weapons Marshallate? They have had just
such a program in place for years. I believe they do this at age 17. I
love the concept of letting the capable and mature 16 and 17 year olds
get ready to hit the ground running. I actually do not think that 15
year olds have the judgement thing down yet, but it truely depends so
much on the kid.
 
I think archery marshals in general need more training, lots more, no
matter their age. No way are three MIT sessions enough whether you are
16 or 56. I felt woefully underprepared with that so I did tons of
MITing before submitting paperwork. It's one thing to co-man a line,
another to inspect bows, and another entirely to design and run a shoot.
I try not to run lines if I can help it because I haven't got the voice
and I am distractable. I'm a lot better at inspections and my fav thing
to do is make targets. So we have to know ourselves and our weak suits,
also, and that takes time and experience.
 
I think MITs should have more training in running shoots - - they should
have to be an assistant to someone experienced in putting on a shoot,
setting up the course properly, making the targets, etc, before they can
do one themselves. I have seen too many safety issues crop up with new
Marshals putting on their first shoots! I had lots of help, I remember
that. As far as inspections, every MIT should have to spend a day at
Pennsic or another huge archery event and inspect every crowwbow under a
watchful eye, if they themselves shoot a handbow, and vice versa. Sheer
numbers is what you need.
 
One other thing that has been really helpful to me is to have another
set of eyes and ears. Whenever I put on an event I want another
experienced marshal tagging me. I can take the ultimate responsibility
but it is incredibly valuable to have a backup to talk things over with.
 
It's a little like graduated drivers' licences. So definitely bring on
the mature youth, but re-amp the overall requirements! Thanks for a cool
discussion, everybody.    ... Nuala
 
 
 
 

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