That flexibility often extends right up to competition. Even after the two athletes are identified, another decision remains: who shoots first?
The answer varies. Some athletes prefer to lead, setting the tone without knowing the result, while others prefer to shoot second, reacting to the situation.
One of the quirks of the sport is that the same information can be interpreted in completely different ways –some archers want to know what their teammate shot, while others would rather not.
Cuesta said the USA has rotated shooting orders across different pairings, sometimes leading with Brady Ellison, other times with partners like Casey Kaufhold or Jennifer Mucino, depending on form, rhythm and how each athlete responds in the moment.
“As a coach, you always have a preference,” Cuesta said. “But you also need to have a good enough relationship with the archers so they can be honest about what they feel comfortable with.”
That interplay between structure and trust runs through every part of mixed team.
“If you have strong relationships with your teammates and strong cohesion between archers, your chances of performing well are higher,” Cuesta said. “But at the end of the day, if you’re a professional, it shouldn’t matter who your teammate is.”
Other coaches see selection as part of a longer process. Indonesia coach Lilies Handayani said she is willing to prioritise development when decisions are close.
“If a team consists of both senior and junior athletes, and the junior athlete narrowly outperforms the senior athlete, I will still select the junior athlete,” she said. “It provides valuable preparation for future competitions.”
