The Perfect Form?

[jmar595]

I know that everyone shoots differently, but I was wondering what everyone thinks is the perfect form. I have been working on different things in my own and have come to think that this is the perfect form......
 Bow arm stiff with elbow pointed outward and bent.
 Bow hand relaxed with just enough grip that the bow doesn't jump out of your hand on release.
 String hand pull with back muscles and point elbow back close to 6 o'clock relatively level.
 Upon release relax the string arm and stop holding the string, almost like playing tug o war with someone and letting go of the rope to let them fall back letting your string arm relax completely.
 Meanwhile keeping the other half of your body fixed and follow through.
 
 Is this right, this is what I've been striving towards. Also, I've seen a lot of videos from ya'll where u pull through release. I try to pull back and stop to aim, I get much better results this way. What is the general consensus on perfect form?

[JC]

Though there are some things that remain constant, like everything being in alignment, consistent anchor and aiming method, back tension and follow through, it is my opinion that most everything else "depends". An olympic gold medal winner's "perfect form" may not be so perfect for a hunting situation on their knees, bow canted completely sideways, while an animal is watching, before the shot opportunity disappears. There are just too many personal variables to say one way is "perfect".

I don't stop to aim because aiming occurs even before the shot for me. Aiming is happening throughout the entire draw/shot process, I just don't do it consciously. Some use this method with great results, others with disaster. Find what works for you and hone it...if you can't make it work, try until you find a method that does.

Sounds like you are well on your way to developing YOUR perfect form, and that's what you should be striving for, again, in my opinion.

[jhansen]

I agree with JC.  Olympic archers use an upright "T" form and that's what I tried for in the beginning.  Then one day I was stump shooting and spotted a rabbit.  I instinctively dropped into a slightly bent-kneed stance leaning forward at the waist.  I still had the "T" as far as my arms and torso went but the "T" was lowered and and canted.  I started practicing that way because it's the natural thing to do in a hunting situation.  After all, I'm not trying to hit a gold bullseye at 100 meters with all the time in the world to set up the shot.  I'm trying to put an arrow into the heart/lung area of a deer at 20 yards or less and do so before the opportunity runs away.  LOL!
John

[Terry Green]

The 'perfect form' to me is proper alignment.

This one aspect of the shot can correct the large majority of shooting problems.

Also, I've always felt that form is from the waist up, and form can be taken to many various shooting positions.

Form to me is not 'style'...there's a bazzion different styles....the sport is very personalized and customizable for each individual.