Shooting form advice ( Pics )

[longbow fanatic 1]

Hi all,

I was hoping that you guys could look at my form and give me some advice. I feel like I am getting proper alignment, but you are a better judge of that. If you don't mind, please give me your unvarnished opinion on ways I may improve my form, or your general thoughts overall.

Thanks in advance,

Dennis

 
 
 
 
 

[moebow]

LBF1,  Over all, you look pretty good. And there is not much to say but in keeping with the tradition of all teachers/coaches I'll say something.   :D  

1.  You are shooting at that Block target that is sitting on the ground.  In order to depress your sight line you have lowered your bow arm to accommodate the  shot.  Try this, set up and draw as though you were going to put an arrow into the TOP of that bush in the background.  Now, bend forward at the waist until you have the sight picture you want.  The idea is that you want that bow arm and string arm essentially 90 degrees to your spine at all times at full draw.  Drawing on the horizontal and then bending at the waist will allow you to shoot "downhill" and keep the arm/spine alignment.  For upwards shots bend at the waist the other way.

2.  In the middle picture, your "flying" string hand is an indicator of little or no tension in your back.  Lock your hand onto your face and on release, it should maintain contact and move back along your face to the back of your neck or to the top of your shoulder if you have BACK TENSION.

You really do look pretty good and only you know whether or not you are OK with your shooting.

[longbow fanatic 1]

This is a little different picture. I'm not sure if the previous picture from the same angle was taken before I reached full draw or if I was pulling through the shot a little more in this picture. In any case I thought I would include it.

 

[moebow]

Bye the way,  You are hitting your chest with the string due to the lowered bow arm.  If your arms are perpendicular to your spine as mentioned above, you will have string clearance.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Thanks, Moebow. Well, my shooting can always improve, but it is good to know my form is relatively solid. Thanks for the advice. You are right about all your tips. I know I must be using my arms more than my back muscles. I think I am just having difficulty employing those muscles, instead of my arms and shoulders. I'll keep working on the back tension issue.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Great observations, esp. the part about bending at the waist and the string chest interference. That has been bothering me, so thanks for that tip.

I am not a good enough shooter to shoot well at 20 yards yet, so I practice between 10-15 yards. That causes me to shoot at the angle you mentioned. Thanks again. I truly appreciate your insights.

[Wapiti Bowman]

LBF,

I find that MB and I generally agree on all form issues. It's almost as if we went to the same coach!

So, the only additional tip I would offer would be with how to get into your back. Fortunately, as a compound shooter, I used a Stanislawski 'back tension' release throughout my competitive shooting career, so that was not an issue for me when making the transition to Trad shooting.

The major muscle you want to employ is the "trapezius", which are the two flat, triangular muscles, that start at your shoulder and go down your back on either side of your spine. They are the muscles you use if you want to 'squeeze' your shoulder blades together. As a matter of fact, that is the action you want to employ when getting into your back during shot execution.

When learning to use this muscle group, it's probably easier to do so without the bow. Hold your bow arm out to simulate holding your bow, and come to your anchor position with your draw arm, making sure that your have the proper alignment. Now, flex your trapezius muscles and try to make your shoulder blades meet at your spine. If you rotate your head to the right (Rt hand shooter), you can actually see your right elbow move towards the center of your back. Just "squeeze"/"flex" and relax, repetitively to get the feel of the action required.

You'll find when your holding your draw wt that you probably won't be able to flex/squeeze your left trapezius, but you will be able to flex and hold your right trapezius, and this will prevent your hand from being able to fly out to the right upon release.

I find that using a blank bale with eyes closed is the best way to focus on training muscle memory to become an automatic part of my shooting form.    

Gook luck, & Have Fun!

[moebow]

Wapiti,  Would that be "great minds think alike?"  

[longbow fanatic 1]

Wapiti,

That is the best description of back tension I have ever heard. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I thought back tension was employed by the Rhomboid and anterior deltoid muscles.

After shooting incorrectly, since 1982, I am still learning. I would like to extend my thanks to you and moebow. You guys are great!

Good luck this season and good shooting,

Dennis

[moebow]

LBF,  Don't be embarrassed!  You are correct but so is Wapiti.  Since "us humans" are cylindrical critters we are talking about rotational motion in the draw.  This is a delicate balancing act of muscles of the back of the shoulder (LAN 2) and the back.  Namely the trapezius AND rhomboids.  If I could write the words to explain the complex interaction involved I could write the definitive book on this subject -- but I can't.

If you really want to explore how it all works, Kisic Lee's book "Total Archery -- Inside the Archer" and Ray Axford's book "Archery Anatomy" would be the place to start.  These books go into this subject at great depth but as in many things, "show and tell" is often much better than the printed word.

The old (and widely accepted) idea of squeezing your shoulder blades together is a fair way to get the idea across even if it isn't entirely correct.

Even though I coach a lot, sometime we can get too deep into the subject and loose the end goal of letting an arrow go downrange.  There is an old homily that goes: " The millipede, when asked which leg he started walking with - could never walk again".

[BobCo 1965]

I have not read through everything but will comment on one thing that may not have been mentioned.

Your center of gravity seems to be back quite a bit. Try to get about 60% of your weight distrubution on the balls of your feet. This will also help to clear up some clearance issues mentioned.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Thanks, BC1965

[mambashooter]

Doesn't really matter what it looks like to me. I believe the results of the shot is what is important. I believe practice is the key to any kind of shooting problems. Just my opinion.
Some of the ugliest golf swings I have ever seen where made by the best golfers in the world.  

[eddings220]

Looks pretty good to me, the back tension tip is very good, I am gonna work on that.

[BowsanAiros]

longbow fanatic 1, you could also want to work on exercises that build up your hand/eye coordination..
I have a video you may find helpful .Pm me for the link...

[Terry Green]

Your alignment looks good to me....and I feel that is most important.  That is paramount in making un-orthadox shots in the field....you can take your form, style, and alignment with you to create and manufacture shots in the field as they present themselves.

I agree that on up and down shots you must retain the magic 'T' by bending at the waist. See the form clock stick figured on the form clock thread stickied at the top.  

I don't see a 'fly away' release...what I see in your release is possibly a 'forced release instead of a 'brain dead' relaxed release.  Easy to fix by just shooting more....that will come to you as you stop 'telling yourself' to release.

I don't think you have than much to work on....if your string is contacting  your chest, you can open your stance a bit for more clearance.  You sure don't have much to 'over analyze'.....so don't.

I'd like to see some video clips for better observation.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Thanks for the tips, Terry. I will work on the "T" and you're right about the forced release. As I shoot and when I think I am "there," I cognitively release the arrow.

It sure is reassuring to know my form is basically sound, and coming from good shooters such as yourself, and others, I feel confident I am on the right track.

I don't have the ability to do video right now, but when I do I will post it.

Thanks again for your input!

Dennis