There are times when venue constraints tie organizers’ hands as far as designing shooting and casting courses. A short, featureless lawn with no changes in sunlight has been linked to hair loss and short-term impotency among certain TOC staffers. While a venue is what it is, you can always make a competitor’s situational awareness work for or against them.

For example, the bait casting discipline typically uses a Nitro bass boat as the casting box. The competitor can cast from anywhere in the boat. Organizers will intentionally set targets so that depth perception is challenging from particular angles. Most competitors will cast from the exact same spot the previous competitor stood. But those who are a little sharper than the average angler will move around in the boat and find the spot where the target has a definite backdrop.

Situational awareness should also be applied to naturally occurring factors. To take another example, I cannot recall a single competitor ever using the entire time limit in archery. And I can count on one hand how many I have seen let a strong gust of wind subside—even though affects accuracy. Let it die, and ask the judge to keep you updated on time.

Before each discipline, remember E.A.T.:
Is my Equipment functioning correctly?
Is there a better Angle for my cast or shot?
How much Time do I have?

Oh yeah, and don’t forget to relax.

—John