Maintaining a rock steady bow arm

[sdpeb1]

same problem here too, I tried blind bale shooting and no matter how hard I tried my bow arm drops an inch or two after releasing. My question is; should your bow arm remain exactly in the same spot after releasing? thanks

[Terry Green]

sdpeb1,

Were you just trying to hold the bow still, or did you know what was causing it and were working on correcting that?

[cvarcher]

The first problem is target panic.You mention a few pounds lighter but what is the weight? I cannot emphasize more strongly than to start with a 35-40lb bow to learn the form correctly and to stop putting targets up to shoot at. If you close your eyes and draw you can come to anchor easily. But when you open them the eyes become the new trigger.So all these tricks dont work so well.You have to groove it right with a light bow and gradually go up in perhaps 5lbs increments. Also remember we are not steel machines but flesh and blood.So your never going to get perfect rock solid shooting all the time.Thats why compound shooters have the edge because of the added relief of the pull weight reduction and mechanical release and the sights.Those three things allow more consistant accurate shots.And even those guys miss--plenty.

[Clint T]

Here is another tip, spend some time working on strength. I had a guy on this site tell me to practice coming to full draw and holding for as long as you physically can! he suggested 30 seconds at a time. Can you draw your bow and hold it steady for 30 seconds without shaking uncontrollably??? Being in complete control is the key and strengh is the only way. Furthermore by associating the draw and anchor without releasing will help reduce that uncontrollable urge to fire before you are really ready. This has helped me a ton in practice. If I could just translate that to the feild I would be in good shape.

[Bradd]

Another tip that I am working on and my blank bail regime.

First, DO NOT HOLD the bow up!!!  The bow will hold itself up with the contraction of the bow arm lateral/back muscles...lock those in first and foremost...and will be held in place by the tensions between the string drawn and the thumb pad...IF you have the muscles locked, the arm in the proper alignment, then nothing else is needed!!!!  If you can't hold it rock solid, then either you haven't locked the lateral muscles properly, your alignment is out, or you are over-bowed. When locking the lateral muscles, your bow shoulder will automatically come down into the right position.

My blank bail work:  I have made 3 recordings on my MP3 player, of my shot cycle, from start to finish, including breathing patterns, rest and muscle relaxations (relax everything at anchor).  I go to the bail from 5 yards, with my eyes closed and follow the instructions on the player for the three shots.  This gives me the full cycle, plus timing.  It can be easily rerecorded if I want to speed up or slow down the cycle...but it really helps on those days when everything is flowing too fast.  Then there are other days when I only work on the release and allow the recording to lead to it...you can consciously pick and choose what you want to listen too, to improve.

[J-KID]

I think too many shooters focus so much on the release hand they neglect the importance of the bow hand that handles much of the aiming.  They shoot - then they try to remember - "hold the bow up!"

It's helpful for some shooters to have them think about the bow hand guiding the arrow to the target almost as if they have control of the arrow till it hits.  So as you draw (right handed shooter) you are now thinking about a smooth draw with the right hand and the left hand remains up as you guide the arrow to the bullseye.  You remain aware of both of the hands and the roles they play.

Another thing I have observed is based on the notion that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.  Shooters that swing up from their sides often have more difficulty with the follow through than shooters who begin with the bow arm up.  It's as if the bow "comes up - then you release - and the bow wants to follow its course and go back down."  If you shoot by swinging up from the side you can begin with the bow in front with a locked arm or you can do the push-pull method with the bow in front and see if there is improvement.

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

I think that is why many experts talk about "Pushing" the bow hand towards the target, all the way through to the arrow strike.

[huntsmanlance]

Tamure i feel your pain...a couple years ago i developed these problems and have been fighting them ever sence. It has become such a problem that i too have lost most of the joy of shooting.

I read another post last night on here about the Form Master....i never heard of it but according to the members who posted it really helps with training you to use your back muscles. I will try it and see.

CV posted exactly what my problem is...which i am not sure is what you are going through. My problem is target panic.... it is a mental thing i am really trying to overcome because darn it i love archery! Your post about..."my mind starts screaming...let go!...when i get close to full draw and i just cant make it stop.....but what is funny is that when i close my eyes and am standing close enough to a ble so i cant miss i have NO trouble at all getting to anchor, having a good smooth release and follow through.

But when i open my eyes it all goes to poop! LOL

Lance