'Anchor' versus 'Reference'

[robtattoo]

Originally posted by Gregg S:
Yikes!! I can't believe that a simple statement can make such a difference! I shot Sawmill Trad. shoot today and shot O.K. When I got home I read through this thread and although it was midnight I decided to try what was discussed. The idea that your anchor point is not the end of the shot but actually the beginning jsut completely changed my shooting. I often struggle to hold at anchor because the sight picture looks right and my brain wants me to just let go. With this thought in mind I was easily able to hit my anchor,steady my aim and then continue the pull ( actually expand) through the shot. My draw hand usually goes up, out, or nowhere. Thinking this way, I look like I'm shooting a Form Master. My hand comes straight back and my finger tips touch the top of my shoulder. My accuracy was consistent over a dozen shots. No creep, no pluck and no flinging my bow hand or string hand. I've always heard that you should pull through the shot, but, when I try to STOP at anchor and then pull through I pluck the string or move the bow hand. With this thought in mind I can pause at anchor because I'm thinking this is the start of the the shot rather then the end. It is very easy for me to get on target because it's the first thing that I'm doing before pulling through (expanding through) the shot. This is not the greatest explanation but thanks for the tip. I think that, for me , this will really let me get controll of the shot.

         
Brilliant Gregg!
Glad it works for you & everyoneelse who's tried it!

[Flingblade]

Has anyone tried the push release method?  I bought the video and have been trying it out.  Seems to be similar to the expansion idea but the focus is on the corner of the mouth as a sort of trigger.  When expanding through the shot are you focusing on the back muscles or something else?  I'm still considering a clicker but I don't want to mar the limbs of my new Black Widow.

[robtattoo]

To be honest, you don't really need to be concentrating on anyting but the target, at that point.
Once you reach your reference you'll want to be expanding your chest & contracting your back muscles to reach full extension. The idea is to get your drawing elbow as far back as possible, so that your drawing elbow, bow hand & your intended target are all aligned. (See Terry's Clock diagrams for an example)

If I remeber, I'll try & get Jules (The Wife) to get some pictures of me drawing tomorrow. It's a lot easier to see what I mean with pictures! I certainly ain't no wordsmith!  

[eric-thor]

ok rob wheres the vidio  we wana see the man in action.      

[tim roberts]

Spot on Mate!!!!!  Its that pulling through thats completes the shot and helps to make for consistency!!!!  
Thanks for bringing it up!!!!!

[cahaba]

thanks Rob. I just started working on that very thing today.

[champ38]

Great post Rob  !..would love to see those pics when u get some time

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

I had to reread this post Rob, as so many people as asking about this again.  I think this should be posted at the top of the forum.

[mountbkr]

Great post for someone new to traditional to read before they start. I have shot compound for the last 30 years, (only started doing it right about 5 years ago), and I believe this is a great explanation of back tension and how to make sure you are using it correctly.

[robtattoo]

TTT

[Escoffier1974]

Good afternoon;

Does anyone use multiple reference points?  My example ( and mind you I'm new at this) is that I draw till my thumb is on my ear lobe, and then I expand until I feel the string touch my left pec (right handed shooter), and then release the arrow.

D

[chowder]

Best post I ever read on here.

[wvtradbow]

Great post,I'm in the middle of trying to tweak my form,I've always
been a "snap shooter" but I'm really trying to get a little more control with a reference point and get a little more out of my bow..