Bent Knees

[zinndl]

I've Been reading Asbell's book and I tried bending the knees as he suggests. I shoot a long bow 49# @ 28". Anyway it really seemed to work, but it also seemed to just flow naturally to also cant the bow more and lay my head down more to the anchor. I have been shooting like that for a few days and it still seems to improve my accuracy (at least at close range) but I noticed that by shooting like that I have lost a solid 2 inches of draw length, standing more upright and strecthed out at draw I have a 27 inch draw but I am not as accurate as when I shoot as described above; I have not filmed it yet but it feels I am kinda hunched. Any thoughts on this?

[Scott J. Williams]

The loss of draw length is commom, and should be expected the more your face the target often refered to as closed stance. You point both feet more towared the target, as describe by Asbell.

I experienced the same effect, but have made the adjustment.  Another plus, is that additional string clearence I have gotten.

[BLACK WOLF]

Originally posted by Scott J. Williams:
The loss of draw length is commom, and should be expected the more your face the target often refered to as closed stance. You point both feet more towared the target, as describe by Asbell.

Hey Scott, I think you're refering to an Open Stance when an archer faces the target more in regards to foot and hip placement.

I believe a a Classic Stance is when the feet are perpindicular and even with each other to the target and a Closed Stance is when the foot closest to the target is forward of the rear foot.

Ray    

[Daddy Bear]

Standing on a perpendicular line from the target is a "square" or "even" stance. This stance is neutral giving the least amount of front to back stability.

Moving the back foot forward of this perpendicular line opens your stance and is an "open" stance. This aids front to back stability and allows more string clearance. But, it may cause you to use your arm muscles instead of your back muscles to draw.

Withdrawing the back foot from this perpendicular line closes your stance and is a "closed" stance. This also aids in front to back stability and it increases your use of back muscles to draw. But, it reduces string clearance.

If you are speaking in terms of a stance for archery hunting in a dynamic situation where your shot presentation can quickly change while hunting game afoot; I find it best to maintain a well balanced stance that allows the flexibility to move. A boxer's stance most often comes to mind. This can be used to move in a fluid motion from open, even, closed, standing upright reversed cant, upright, full cant, kneeling, sitting, and everything between.

I do not like a rigid style static shooting stance for hunting afoot.

Daddy Bear