form break down

[Lee Lobbestael]

Hi guys, I shoot almost every day and recently my shooting has fallen apart. I majorly pluck the string and my bow arm often seems to jerk to the left right before I release. Has anyone had this problem? If so how did you fix it? I started tonight shooting five yards away in the dark, not worrying about where I hit, just working on form. And every shot feels strong and beautiful! I was thinking of doing this for a week or so without much actual aiming. Do you guys think this might help?

[zetabow]

Originally posted by Lee Lobbestael:
I was thinking of doing this for a week or so without much actual aiming. Do you guys think this might help?

Yes

I would also suggest when you run into this problem again go straight to the bale and dont let it turn into a problem in the first place.

I ALWAYS start my pratice with close bale work to groove in my shot sequence before I start thinking about moving back and aiming.

[Lee Lobbestael]

thanks! I meant my bow arm jerks to my right actually. Sorry

[moebow]

Lee,  zeta is right.  If you are a right handed shooter you are describing classic "loss of back tension" symptoms. Get on the blind/blank bale at short range and concentrate on the back tension to get the right bow arm and plucking issue resolved.

[AllenR]

You have quit following through after release like you used to.  The symptoms that you describe are classic to an archer who is ending the shot when they let go and not when they complete their following through.

You have to stay with the shot at least until the arrow is away from the bow.  It doesn't take much to do this since the arrow is moving pretty fast.  

Part of it is in how you set up the shot, both mentally and physically.  Right now you are setting up to finish at let-go. Being human, you begin finishing a tiny bit before let-go which leads to creeping, collapsing and plucking.

Some find it helpful to pick a spot on their shoulder or neck and that is the "conclusion" to their shot.  They set up
(both mentally and physically) to stay with the shot until their hand hits that spot.

The others are right about the bale being the quickest way to work this out.  But be sure to gradually work back to full distance when you have a good subconscious follow through.  Immediately jumping back to full distance usually leads to other problems.

Hope this helps,
Allen

[Lee Lobbestael]

Thanks guys! well the outlook isn't as bad as I thought.

[Terry Green]

Yes...I think form work on the bail without aiming for a couple of weeks will do you some good.  

Might want to check the form clock thread too as you might find something there to help you along.

Stay after it!