Every Second Counts For Shooters
Every Second Counts For Shooters
by Rebecca Lee 11.08.08
Britain’s shooting squad have begun their Beijing campaign this week, whilst back home new performance measures are in place to help their training post Beijing in the run up to London 2012.
The project began when Shooting’s national team coach Ian Coley approached EIS Performance Analyst David Gardner for an acoustic device that would measure the time between shots.
“I researched the market and found that there simply wasn’t the product we needed out there” said EIS Performance Analyst David Gardner. “I then contacted UK Sport, who were able to help through their partnership with BAE systems” he added.
Designed and built by BAE systems, the electronic device measures the accuracy and consistency of timing between the first and second shot in the double trap event to 0.01 of a second, which can help evaluate an individual’s performance.
The double trap event sees two clay targets released simultaneously, which athletes are required to shoot – a total of three rounds of 50 targets. Ideally, the two shots are fired as closely as possible to ensure both targets are hit.
“It was identified that the time between shots would be useful to measure consistency and to indicate where improvement is required” explained Gardner.
“The equipment was tested before the athletes left for Beijing, after which a few tweaks have been made back home and when the athletes return we can test it further during training. I also provide support through filming and video analysis and combined with this additional feedback, it will paint a more detailed picture for coaches and athletes.”
GB Shooting access EIS services primarily from the base at St Mary’s College, London. These services include nutrition, performance analysis, performance lifestyle, performance psychology, physiotherapy, soft tissue therapy, strength & conditioning and sports medicine.
Despite a disappointing start to the squad’s competition, with Charlotte Kerwood missing out on the finals coming 16th in the women’s trap and Jon Hammond coming 29th in the men’s 10m air rifle, there’s still a chance GB’s athlete’s could succeed in events later this week. Richard Faulds and Steve Scott will compete in the double trap tomorrow, 12th August, Jon Hammond will also get another chance to compete in the 50m Rifle event and Elena Little will compete in the Skeet.