how does my form look?

[Terry Green]

GrayRhino,

I hope this comes across right....

Everyone has their 'perfect shot position' for their perfect shot that is the main shot we practice with. Everything is level, balanced, and wonderful.....

Then we enter the woods, and we aren't guaranteed that perfect shot....the terrain and game dictate, and we must adapt.

Therefore, that's why I always say that form is from the waist up. If you have the 'magic T', you can take that normal perfect shot with you by bending at the waist for different cant angles, uphill or downhill, or rotating left or right.

So, 'open stance' or 'closed stance' to ME is a personal preference, and a comfortable position for the 'perfect shot position' that we practice and always wish we could have in the woods.

[daveycrockett]

WELL PUT, TERRY GREEN, NOW IF I COULD JUST DO IT RIGHT.

[2Blade]

Not to high jack your thread Barry but this has gotten me interested in useing back tension I never have. How should back tension feel should you even notice it or does it just happen?

[madness522]

I had never used it before either and the first couple times I could really feel it the next day.  But that was probably more from shooting way too much in one session.  I think also coming from a wheel bow background it was something that I had to concentrate on rather than it just happening.  I don't really notice the back tension now it just occurs as a natural part of the draw.

If you haven't done it yet it would be a good idea to have someone record you shooting from different angles.  It will help you see what your shot really looks like not what you think it looks like.  This will allow a visual comparasion to others who are really good shots to your shot.  I did this and it really opened my eyes as far as how it was supposed to be done.  The down side is I had been shooting with bad form but had gotten to the point where it worked for me and I could shoot out to 20 yards comfortably and confidently.  When I started correcting my form issues it really whacked out the way I was shooting. I wasn't comfortable or confident past 12 yards.  It is all starting to come back together now.  I was out shooting and hitting the target everytime at 30 and 35 yards yesterday.  

Bottom line is, and I can't remember who said this, to find a form/style that works for you and stick with it.

[2Blade]

Yea that is what has happend to me I tried back tension and I missed sevral times I wasnt confident with it so I went back to a "dead release" and that seems to work for me.

[Terry Green]

Guys.......when you work on changing part of your form....its usually best to not think about aiming.   You gotta grove it in 1st...only think about what you are working on.  And it wont happen over night...you gotta stick with it.

Gotta learn the shot before you can make the shot ....make sense?

Good for you maddness......correcting your form gained you greater accuracy at longer distance....means you'll be real confident at that 20 yards now.    

[BobCo 1965]

Originally posted by 2Blade:
Yea that is what has happend to me I tried back tension and I missed sevral times I wasnt confident with it so I went back to a "dead release" and that seems to work for me.

You still have to use back tension whether your release is static or not.

[Terry Green]

What BobCo said....

A few shots aint gonna cut it.....you gotta stick with it if you are going to gain accuracy and confidence by getting your shot aligned properly.

[2Blade]

Im not really sure what back tension is supost to feel like to me it felt like back tension more so in my shoulder running down to my rips could someone get in depth or what its supost to feel like? Its hard when your self taught ive read its supost to be on both sides of your body ive only been using my release side not my bow arm side.

Terry I seen your video of you shooting and your form looked very easy to do and smooth I just wish I could get that when I tried I found myself plucking more so then pulling through the shot.

Again Madness not trying to high jack here but im trying to learn hopefully your not offended.

[BobCo 1965]

2blade, have you read TBM this month? There is a pretty good article in it which may benefit you.

It is a developed feel. But in short, try to hold a silver dollar between your shoulder blades while holding your arms at shoulder length in direct line with shoulders. Also, try doing the same as if you were holding a bow at full draw (squeeze the silver dollar).

For me, it is impossible to get my elbow (draw arm)in proper alignment without using back tension. Notice, I didn't say anchor. I can get to anchor with my elbow not in proper alignment, but I'll usually pluck the string upon release. The shot will usually go left (I shoot right).

[2Blade]

No I havent read TBM I dont get that magazine but ill try to do it today. How long should it take me to get good grouping this way?

[Doublegun]

Just wanted to say that this is a GREAT thread.  As someone just getting back into shooting a recurve after 30-years, it has given me a lot to think about and to practice.

Thanks to all.

[hockeyref]

I agree with everything Otto and Terry have said. How important is proper form and using back tension? I have heard too many folks say they never use it! To those folks, and especially those of you that have a high elbow, or have an elbow position like the photo Terry posted, are you having any shoulder or elbow pain using that style?

I can tell you from experience that it is in your best interest to use biomechanically efficient form. It will vary a little from person to person but has essentially been the same for a very long time - you don't think they pulled those English war bows w\\o back tension, do you?
A few years ago I had a very busy summer and didn't get to shoot as often as I liked. I wasn't fully conditioned to shoot my nearly 70# hunting bows and didn't realize my form was off as I pounded arrow after arrow trying to get caught up. I was consistently hitting my anchor point but the elbow was flying out there... very little back tension....like the picture. I developed a sore shoulder and later a SHARP PAIN IN MY SHOULDER when I tried to draw..... it cost me a season as I could not even draw a 15# kids bow. I had to take the season off and came back SLOWLY after the new year. I still love my heavy bows, but I'm looking at getting something in the 55# range to complement the heavier ones.

Steve

[longstick]

sometimes ny form slacks a bit and things go all haywire..'specially when I DONT get those back muscles into play

[Roger Norris]

Fred Asbell's article in TBM explains back tension better than anything I have ever read.

Terry's "clock" diagram is excellent also.

[Roger Norris]

I try and think of perfect form from the waist up...I try and keep my legs out of the equation. You never know from what position you will draw from in the woods.

[Roger Norris]

Legs on slippery, uneven ground,tangled in brush...not part of the form equation

  .

[bkupris]

Have a look at this link for a great training device that has been mentioned before in other threads. For me it has been a very valuable piece of kit that opened my eyes to proper back muscle usage/tension.

 http://www.texasarchery.org/Documents/FMaster/formaster_exercises.htm

Brian

[Eastern fisher]

Hi.  I am VERY new to this club as well as to traditional archery.  I have hunted with a compound for years but because of a motor vehicle accident and several shoulder surgeries I have had to sell my compound.  Luckily my best friend, Northernfisher is sending me down his long bow.  I have tried to shoot a recurve awhile back but I was actually afraid that the bow would break.  Probably a "newcomer fear"  How far should I actually pull it back?  Is there a distance that could be considered TOO long?

[oh-bowhunter]

Hey guys new member and shooter.  Reading all of this is really helping me.  Thanks for all the info.