"Form"

[oneshot1]

I see alot of this mentioned here, arm, back tension, high wrist/low wrist, etc. I equate shooting the Bow to hitting a golf ball or shooting pool, many different body motions have to come together at the right time to get good results. And every body is different, we cant all get into the "forms" that are considered correct. While form is helpfull when starting out, you need to focus on your own form; I hold with bare 2 fingers, little to no cant,what others call a "snap-shot" but seems to me I'm hanging out at full draw. I guess what I'm trying to say is everyone is different and "form" is usefull but not a cure all to shooting the Bow well. Thanks, David

[dragonheart]

Archery is a martial art.  We really don't think of it that a way, but it is.  There is a basic technique to any human nmovement that can be more efficient or give better results.  A basic standard in archery, as far as technique was established ages ago.  We all due to body structure, past experience, or just "it works for me" (you believe in it, and it works) may deviate somewhat from the basics.  There is a standard technique.  For years I tried to reinvent the wheel with my technique trying every method of shooting the bow.  In the end, I came back to those basics of technique that are in book I got as a boy called the ABC's of archery.  Most instructors in archery focus on teaching a proven standard technique.  If you deviate from that some and it works stay with it.  Just have a standard technique for you to go back to if you begin having shooting difficulties.  I write down each step in the sequence of one perfect shot.  I then have a checklist on my technique.  If I am not shooting well, I first look at my form to see if something has changed.

Longbows & Short Shots,
Jeff

[BLACK WOLF]

Yep...I agree. There a fundamentals or basics that can be used as starting points or guidlines in improving an archer's form.

They are primarily based on taking advantage of biomechanics so the body doesn't have to work as hard to perform the shot.

There will be slight variations from one person to the next...but there will be a standard to always fall back on or compare to what the archer is currently doing.

With each choice there are usually compromises such as standing in a more open stance for hunting. It doesn't take as much of an advantage of the skeletal system as a closed stance does but it may allow an archer to shoot without having their hunting clothes interfere with the shot.

Ray  

[KSdan]

Ray- I also posted a question to JC and Terry about a similar issue.  Question/thought for you: I wonder if many of the injuries associated with trad are a result of poor form- in other words; the shooting works for us, but in reality we are damaging shoulders, necks, elbows etc. because we are not using the correct body mechanics?

Thanks-
Dan

[JC]

David, I think your examples are more ones of "style" than the fundamentals of form. And yes, everyone will shoot better if they tailor their style to accomodate their own body structure and shooting needs.

There is no one right way to shoot well, but there are some basics that have rung almost 100% true for as long as man has been shooting the bow. I think those are as follows: proper alignment, proper back tension/followthrough, consistent anchor, relaxed release hand, and repitition of an aiming system.

It is possible to shoot good being misaligned...but I'll bet a wad of bills you can shoot better properly aligned, etc.

Dan, I definately think you've got a point. I know when my mechanics are perfect, the physical aspect of shooting is absolutely effortless. I'm sure it pays a contributing factor at least.

[BLACK WOLF]

Dan,

You asked - "I wonder if many of the injuries associated with trad are a result of poor form- in other words; the shooting works for us, but in reality we are damaging shoulders, necks, elbows etc. because we are not using the correct body mechanics?"

Absolutely...but just for clarification...it isn't the only reason for injuries.

My personal injuries have been from shooting to much. There have been times in my life that almost all of my spare time was spent shooting a bow and the bow's draw weight was 80lbs. I just couldn't stop shooting until my body told me it had had enough, which by that time was to late and had developed tendonitis.

Ray  

[oneshot1]

Howdy JC, If any one here were to see my form they would probably think I just picked a Bow up for the first time hehehe, Yes it is that far off from "normal". 2 bare fingers, I use the pointer finger of the bow hand to hold the arrow against the shelf as I draw, then drop it down at about half draw, when my finger hits the corner of my mouth the arrow is released. But it works for me, and thats all that counts. As always, great discussion's here. Thanks.( I also use a "base-ball bat" grip while golfing, cant hit a wood to save my life, but can smoke a 5 iron 250 yards off a tee, Straight even LOL)

[Terry Green]

No, we can't all get into the perfect 'form'....but we can use fundamentals to get as close to perfect alignment as our physical structure will allow.  And   that will make us more accurate, especially on shots we have to manufacture and create in the field.

A little extreme, but if you spent two weeks teaching someone starting out to shoot with their body facing the target while standing on one leg and whistling Dixie......I bet I could get them much farther down the road two weeks later by teaching them the fundamentals.

If it were so easy that everyone could shoot facing the target while standing on one leg and whistling Dixie, we wouldn't need a shooters forum.    

 

[jhansen]

"A little extreme, but if you spent two weeks teaching someone starting out to shoot with their body facing the target while standing on one leg and whistling Dixie......I bet I could get them much farther down the road two weeks later by teaching them the fundamentals.

If it were so easy that everyone could shoot facing the target while standing on one leg and whistling Dixie, we wouldn't need a shooters forum."

Excellent point, Terry.  I really believe that an archers learning curve can be divided into stages, even though the stages can blend into each other.  First comes the stage when form is all-important.  It can be argued that shooting with the eyes closed is an advantage at this stage because form is all that counts.  Once the body/mind learns form it is time to work on hitting a particular spot.  The process goes on from there until the archer can look at something and put an arrow darned close to that spot.  Finally there is the stage when the archer can contort into a variety of body positions and still put the arrow where it needs to be.  It is all a learned skill.

John