form clock -> string elbow

[FlintRiverKen]

In the clock pic the string elbow is pointing right on 6 oclock. Looks like i'm made to where mine is pointing about 5 oclock,even with double anchor -finger on canine and thumb back of jaw and all. If i pull to elbow going 6 oclock string hand is floating without reference.

If my string forearm is in line and relaxed and shoulders in line and i'm using back muscles isn't that the main thing? Formmaster doesn't kick the fire out of me either.

[McDave]

The main thing is whether your setup is repeatable and works for you, but I guess if it was totally repeatable and totally working for you, you wouldn't be asking the question?

You say your string elbow is pointing toward 5 o'clock, but then you go on to say your "string forearm is in line."  I can't reconcile these two statements.  I can't visualize your string forearm being in line with the arrow unless it is pointing at 6 o'clock.

There are two ways to pull your elbow to 6 o'clock.  One way is to continue to haul the arrow back by continuing to draw the bow.  I can see where if you're doing this, you could end up with your string hand floating with nowhere to anchor.  The second way is to use your back muscles to bring your shoulder blades together, which causes your elbow to move toward 6 o'clock without drawing the bow much, if any, more than it was drawn at 5 o'clock.  The second way promotes back tension and a clean release.

It is possible that you might have to give up your finger on canine anchor in order to reach full draw.  But you should be able to use the thumb behind your jawbone or some other anchor on your face.

[OutbackMan]

I recently started shooting and felt like I was only getting 5 o'clock extension (saw it on video too.)  I went to lower poundage limbs that allowed me more ease to get full extension, but more importantly more ability to play w/things and feel things while at full draw.  With the heavier limbs by the time I found a potential anchor I was releasing from holding so long and then had a real hard time pinpointing that exact spot each time while holding all that weight.

My anchor felt lost for awhile (was previously index finger corner of mouth and first thumb knuckle under jaw bone)...finally realized that if I used corner of mouth as a drag thru point I could actually then reach two very easily repeatable anchors after that (resulting in a 6 o'clock elbow point and arm/arrow alignment)...first thumb knuckle touching bottom back round of jaw bone and string bisecting my eye just to the right of pupil while touch both cheek and eyeball (shooting a 64" bow right now.)  

Not saying it's right, wrong, or indifferent but so far it's helping me a ton and got me an extra inch of draw length in doing so.  Good luck.

[moebow]

Flintriverken,  Sounds as though your shoulders are hunched.  If you push your bow hand more aggressively at the target and stick your chest out a little, that will further engage your back muscles and bring your drawing forearm back to the 6 o'clock position with out changing the anchor on your face.

The loss of anchor position you describe will only happen if you try to pull more with your arm to get it lined up.

Try this,  come to full draw as you normally do then think and do stick your chest out.  You will feel the upper body line up and your anchor position will not change.  It will probably change your draw length (lengthen it) some.

Have someone watch you when you do this and you will find that the drawing arm will line up.  As with all new things, trying this for one shooting session will feel strange.  You must stay with a form change for about 20 practice sessions for it to feel normal.  Accepting or rejecting a change after only one try is counterproductive.

Good luck.

[FlintRiverKen]

Thanks for all the advice-will try asap- I do want increased draw length.
When i hold out my arms straight out and bring string hand to face with fingers curled I come up a couple inches short- i guess my arms are too short or my shoulders too wide.

On second look, in the clock pic the elbow is really pointing at 5:30, maybe there's a little plus or minus depending on how you're made.