Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Shooters FORM Board => Topic started by: Daniel F. on March 10, 2011, 07:28:00 PM

Title: Shoulder Shrug
Post by: Daniel F. on March 10, 2011, 07:28:00 PM

When I shoot I tend to shrug my shoulders and rest my chin against the bow arm side.  
Is this poor technique?  Most of the pictures and videos I've seen the archer has his head elevated, and the shoulders down and back.  I feel like I don't shoot as well when I do this, but I'm totally open to learning to do it properly, especially if it's something that will help me improve in the long term.

Thanks.

~Daniel~

Title: Re: Shoulder Shrug
Post by: McDave on March 10, 2011, 07:43:00 PM

In instructor training, we're taught to have the new archers shrug their shoulders as an example of what we don't want them to do when they draw the bow.  Every good archer I've ever observed shoots with their shoulders down.  If you're a fairly new shooter still trying to develop form, I would recommend shooting with your shoulders down, perpendicular to the target, and your head turned as much as possible to face the target, not resting your chin on anything, since that's what has proven to be successful for most other people.

Title: Re: Shoulder Shrug
Post by: Daniel F. on March 10, 2011, 07:50:00 PM

I am new to it.  And Form is a priority for me right now.  I want to shoot accurately, but I want to do it right.  I guess shrugging your shoulders could inhibit your ability to pull your shoulder blades together, and stop you from performing a proper release?

Title: Re: Shoulder Shrug
Post by: moebow on March 10, 2011, 08:40:00 PM

It is also a good way to injure your shoulder as the shoulder socket will not be aligned correctly.  Can/could lead to impingement or rotator cuff problems down the road.  A down and back shoulder helps with socket alignment and is very helpful to get the weight of the bow into your back muscles.

Title: Re: Shoulder Shrug
Post by: Terry Green on March 10, 2011, 10:27:00 PM

See the form clock thread at the top.

Title: Re: Shoulder Shrug
Post by: Daniel F. on March 12, 2011, 03:12:00 PM

I see.  I don't want to do that.  Thanks, Moebow and Terry.

Title: Re: Shoulder Shrug
Post by: raghorns on March 12, 2011, 09:29:00 PM

I've seen guys shoot with their chins on their shoulder because they were shooting extremely heavy poundage bows...too heavy!

Title: Re: Shoulder Shrug
Post by: Daniel F. on March 14, 2011, 09:00:00 PM

That makes sense.  My bow is heavy, and it does wear me out after a few dozen shots, but I can shoot it properly with my shoulders down.

I'd like to be critiqued on my form, I'll try to post a few pictures or a video later, if that's alright.