The “Release Illusion”: A Conceptual Model of Motor Skill Formation in Archery

Oleksandr Kalynichenko

doi:10.17309/jltm.2026.7.2.01

Authors

Oleksandr Kalynichenko Stepan Gzhytskyi National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies Lviv https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9556-3727

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17309/jltm.2026.7.2.01

Keywords:

archery, motor learning, motor skill, release, sensorimotor control, target panic

Abstract

Background. In archery, the final phase of the shot (release) is traditionally considered a controllable action. However, high-level performance indicates that attempts to consciously control this phase reduce stability and are associated with disruptions such as target panic. This creates a contradiction between the conventional interpretation of release as a controlled action and the actual mechanisms underlying effective performance.

Objectives. To develop a conceptual model of motor skill formation in archery that explains the emergence of release as an automated event, defines the conditions for stable shot execution, and identifies the mechanisms underlying skill disruption.

Materials and Methods. The study has a conceptual and theoretical character and is based on the analysis and synthesis of scientific and methodological literature in sport theory, motor learning, and movement psychology, as well as on the generalization of practical coaching experience in archery. A systems approach to movement analysis and conceptual modeling methods were applied.

Results. The shooting action is interpreted as an integrated functional system in which performance stability depends on the coordination of subsystems rather than the accuracy of individual elements. Two subsystems are identified: the aiming system and the execution system, whose functional separation is essential for stability. Release is not considered a discrete controlled action but emerges as an automated event when the execution system reaches a critical functional state. Skill disruption is explained as a transition from a program-based to a reactive mode of action due to conscious interference in the final phase. Follow-through is defined as a stabilizing phase that ensures the formation of sensorimotor feedback.

Conclusions. Shot stability is ensured by preserving the integrity of the motor program and maintaining the functional separation between aiming and execution systems. Release serves as an indicator of a correctly organized action rather than an object of control. Skill disruption is associated with a shift to a reactive mode of organization. The proposed model generalizes the principles of the Ukrainian school of archery and provides a framework for application in other complex coordination activities.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Oleksandr Kalynichenko, Stepan Gzhytskyi National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies Lviv

Department of Physical Education, Sport and Health,
Pekarska St, 50, Lviv, Lviv Oblast, 79000, Ukraine
kalinarch@gmail.com

References

Ertan, H. (2009). Muscular activation patterns of the bow arm in recurve archery. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 12(3), 357–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2008.01.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2008.01.003

Kalinichenko, A. (2020). Building a bulletproof release. BOW International, 143, 28–33.

Hill, D. M., Hanton, S., Matthews, N., & Fleming, S. (2010). Choking in sport: A review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 3(1), 24–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/17509840903301199 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17509840903301199

Nieuwenhuys, A., & Oudejans, R. R. D. (2012). Anxiety and perceptual-motor performance: Toward an integrated model of concepts, mechanisms, and processes. Psychological Research, 76, 747–759. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-011-0384-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-011-0384-x

Masters, R. S. W. (1992). Knowledge, knerves and know-how: The role of explicit versus implicit knowledge in the breakdown of a complex motor skill under pressure. British Journal of Psychology, 83(3), 343–358. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1992.tb02446.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1992.tb02446.x

Beilock, S. L., & Carr, T. H. (2001). On the fragility of skilled performance: What governs choking under pressure? Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 130(4), 701–725. https://doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.130.4.701 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.130.4.701

Kalinichenko, A. (1994). Theoretical basics of archery. The Glade. International Magazine for Archers, Summer, 16–20.

Kalinichenko, A. (1994). Theoretical basics of archery. The Glade. International Magazine for Archers, Autumn, 63–64.

Kalinichenko, A. (1995). Problems of aiming in archery. The Glade. International Magazine for Archers, Spring, 4–10.

Kalinichenko, A. (1995). Aiming. Archery, 1, 53–56.

Bernstein, N. A. (1967). The co-ordination and regulation of movements. Pergamon Press.

Wolpert, D. M., Diedrichsen, J., & Flanagan, J. R. (2011). Principles of sensorimotor learning. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 12(12), 739–751. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3112 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3112

Galperin, P. Y. (1969). Stages in the development of mental acts. In M. Cole & I. Maltzman (Eds.), A handbook of contemporary Soviet psychology (pp. 249–273). Basic Books.

Schmidt, R. A., & Lee, T. D. (2019). Motor learning and performance: From principles to application (6th ed.). Human Kinetics.

Kalinichenko, A. (2008). Vplyv liudskoho faktora na funktsionuvannia systemy “luchnyk–luk”. Teorìâ ta Metodika Fìzičnogo Vihovannâ, 6, 12–17.

Kalinichenko, A. (2009). Kilkisna otsinka skladovykh navedennia zbroi v strilbi z luka. Teoriia ta metodyka fizychnoho vykhovannia, 6, 24–31.

Kalinichenko, A. (2011). Osoblyvosti modeliuvannia navchalno-trenuvalnoi roboty u striletskykh vydakh sportu. Teorìâ ta Metodika Fìzičnogo Vihovannâ, 4, 39–45.

Anokhin, P. K. (1974). Biology and neurophysiology of the conditioned reflex and its role in adaptive behavior. Pergamon Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-021516-7.50009-4

Shadmehr, R., & Krakauer, J. W. (2008). A computational neuroanatomy for motor control. Experimental Brain Research, 185(3), 359–381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-008-1280-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-008-1280-5

Kalinichenko, O. M. (1995). Formuvannia struktury rukhovykh dii striltsiv z luka za dopomohoiu vykorystannia tekhnichnykh zasobiv navchannia [Abstract of PhD dissertation]. Kyiv.

Kalinichenko, A. (1999). Initial instruction in archery. Part I. The Glade. International Magazine for Archers, 82, 58–62.

Kalinichenko, A. (1999). Initial instruction in archery. Part II. The Glade. International Magazine for Archers, 83, 46–50.

Kalinichenko, A. (1999). Initial instruction in archery. Part III. The Glade. International Magazine for Archers, 84, 26–30.

Kalinichenko, A. (1999). Method of the initial teaching in archery. Part I. Archery, 1, 54–56.

Kalinichenko, A. (1999). Method of the initial teaching in archery. Part II. Archery, 3, 46–49.

Kalinichenko, A. (1999). Method of the initial teaching in archery. Part III. Archery, 5, 48–49.

Kalinichenko, A. (1999). Method of the initial teaching in archery. Part IV. Archery, 7, 48–49.

Kalinichenko, A. (1999). Method of the initial teaching in archery. Part V. Archery, 9, 46–47.

Kalinichenko, O. M., & Lopatiev, A. O. (2009). Osoblyvosti tsilovoi tochnosti pry vykonanni postrilu zi striletskykh vydiv zbroi. Teorìâ ta Metodika Fìzičnogo Vihovannâ, 8, 45–49.

Kalinichenko, O. M., & Lopatiev, A. O. (2010). Psykhofiziolohichni osoblyvosti tsilovoi tochnosti pid chas vykonannia postrilu z suchasnykh striletskykh vydiv zbroi. Teorìâ ta Metodika Fìzičnogo Vihovannâ, 2, 16–18, 35–42.

Kalinichenko, O. M., & Lopatiev, A. O. (2012). Obgruntuvannia psykhofiziolohichnykh mekhanizmiv zastosuvannia metodychnykh pryiomiv vdoskonalennia rukhovykh navychok striltsiv. Teorìâ ta Metodika Fìzičnogo Vihovannâ, 1, 37–44.

Kalinichenko, O. M. (2013). Zastosuvannia mekhanizmiv keruvannia finalnymy diiamy typu “rukhy bez mety” yak metodychnyi pryiom vdoskonalennia rukhovykh navychok striltsiv. Teorìâ ta Metodika Fìzičnogo Vihovannâ, 2, 34–42.

Kalynichenko, A. (2019). A retrospective of the technique of archers. Part I. Archery, 7, 30–31.

Kalynichenko, A. (2019). A retrospective of the technique of archers. Part II. Archery, 9, 50–53.

Kalynichenko, A. (2019). The evolution of technological methods. Part I. Archery, 11, 50–54.

Kalynichenko, A. (2020). The evolution of technological methods. Part II. Archery, 1, 49–53.

Oudejans, R. R. D., Kuijpers, W., Kooijman, C. C., & Bakker, F. C. (2011). Thoughts and attention of athletes under pressure: Skill-focus or performance worries? Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 24(1), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2010.481331 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2010.481331