National Training System (NTS)
The National Training System (NTS) and the Kisik Lee Shot Cycle (KSL Shot Cycle II)
The National Training System (N.T.S.) is the official method of shooting form that coaches are required to learn in order to be certified by USA Archery. Created by Kisik Lee, the NTS is based on his analysis of body control, muscular requirements, and mental concentration needed to generate a good shot.
It is formerly known by the B.E.S.T. (Biomechanical Efficient Shooting Technique) method of shot execution. Both the BEST Method and its newer, more advanced incarnation as the NTS, contain many elements of Kisik Lee’s Shot Cycle. This separates an archer’s shot into twelve steps and focuses on biomechanics, the study of how best to apply mechanical principles to human physiological actions.
Among the coaches and experts that Lee recruited to help improve the NTS was biomechanical engineer and researcher Gary Yamaguchi. In his professional career, he has studied techniques and injuries in the sports of golf, tennis, skiing, and rock climbing. Yamaguchi says he decided to investigate the claims of the new method and after analyzing the postures and movements, he found that it “had merit.” Now serving as the Biomechanical Science Adviser of the Junior Dream Team, as well as a certified Coach, Yamaguchi continues to work with Lee to utilize his “professional training to increase our understanding of the biomechanics of archery, with the ultimate goal of enhancing performance while reducing injuries.”
The KSL Shot Cycle II is the latest version of Lee’s methodology that builds off the lessons he gained after working closely with the Junior Dream Team and the dedicated Resident Athlete archers at the Olympic Training Center, who are encouraged to use the form for hundreds of arrows on a daily basis.
The twelve steps of the KSL Shot Cycle II are as follows:
- Stance
- Nocking the arrow
- Hooking the string
- Gripping the bow
- Mindset
- Set-up
- Drawing
- Anchoring
- Loading/transfer to holding
- Aiming and expansion
- Release and follow-through
- Relaxation, reflection, and feedback
More information can be found at Kisik Lee’s website http://www.kslinternationalarchery.com/.
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