Possible form problem

[TimB]

Hi all, I'm new here. I'm not exactly new to archery though. I used to shoot recurves a lot growing up and recently decided to get back into it.

My questions stems from the many articles I've just read about proper form. I thought I was doing everything right, but these article all mention holding the draw weight with the muscles in your back. Well, I don't feel like I'm holding anything with my back.

My theory is that this is due to one of two things.
Number one: I broke my arm right below the shoulder when I was 16 (over 10 years ago now)and the shoulder has never been the same. there are certain positions that it just will not go into while carrying weight or strain. Mostly I work around it, but maybe it prevents me from drawing a bow properly.

Number two: Maybe I am holding the weight with my back but don't notice it. This is a possibility because on my job I have to do a lot of heavy lifting, often at awkward positions. Maybe I'm just used to using my muscles in this way.

This is a concern to me because I'm not shooting very tight groups. I read these articles thinking that maybe I had a form problem.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
TimB

[bowbenderman]

Tim , I have taken Rod Jenkins class(world champion). He described back tension by havin us hold an arrow parallel to your face, holding one hand at each end of the arrow, or use a rope, an try pullin the arrow or rope apart.  This will let you know what back tension is all about, its really a feelin.  Of course you cannot pull either apart but it makes your back muscles work like they should in setting up a shot.  Hope this helps.

[NBK]

Good advice by bowbenderman.  If you're concerned about form, look hard at Terry's form clock on alignment, that's your foundation.  To get back tension, or test your own, use a formaster.  You can do a search here and get a ton of info on it.  I made one real cheap and you'll know immediately after the first shot if you're back tension is in the ballpark.  Lastly, because of your injury, don't sweat it if you don't have the exact form as others, because we're all different and with time and practice you'll find your own form.  I've seen guys with perfect form shoot o.k., and I've seen guys with "what the heck is that!" form shoot lights out.  Discover what's comfortable and repeatable and you'll be on your way.  Oh, and did I mention a formaster?!  Good luck.

[Lechwe]

I'll definitely second the formaster. One of the best tools you can have and it goes anywhere with you. You can set it up and use it a few minutes just before you go hunting to help remember what you are supposed to be doing.

[BobCo 1965]

Keep in mind that back tension will not develop overnight. It definetely takes some time and practice (mentally and physically). If you are not feeling anything in the back, then you may want to try an extremely light bow for a while.

I have a new student that is 18 and built like a truck. He has way more muscle then is needed, however he needs to be able to use it correctly. A bridge between the brain and back needs to be built. So far, no bridge, but we are working on it.    But, we have to start with lightweight (between 8 and 25 pounds). I also have a student who is younger and is a string bean that uses complete back tension and can easily draw 40#s.

Depending on the excercise, a formaster can be very good to aid in teaching back tension.

[TimB]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I had thought about using a lighter bow to practice with. I still have my 20# recurve that I started with when I was a kid, but I hadn't messed with it because I didn't think that I could anchor it properly because of it's shorter draw length.

Well, after reading this, I pulled it out of the closet, strung it up and tried it. It seems to work okay for me and it certainly is easier to draw than my 45# Shakespeare. Perhaps I should practice with it for a while.

Also after looking at that formaster, I KNOW I can make one pretty easily. Got any pointers on how to use it?

[BobCo 1965]

Yes, set the formaster so the string (formaster string) is a bit too short. You will know the right length in that while your fingers are on the bow string, your wrist should be bent outward. If looking at the position as a right handed shooter, your right wrist should be to the right, and the fingers should be reaching to the left to hook the string. You should barely be able to hook the string with your fingers. An arrow can not be shot with this excercise since all of the tension of the bow string is on the formaster and nearly none on the fingers. In this excercise, your forearm or draw hand can not be used at all. Keep your elbow slightly lower then your draw wrist while drawing. Come to full draw and hold for three seconds making sure that you are bringing your draw scapula down and toward the spine.

[TimB]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for that info. I quickly made a formaster after reading that and practiced with it.

According to what I'm seeing and from what I saw with Terry's form clock my form wasn't that far off to begin with. My shoulders weren't as straight as they should have been. and that was about it. I find it helps to practice in front of a mirror and turn to see your draw from different angles. Anyway, I took both bows out and shot a little bit just now and I'm shooting much more consistently. In fact I do better with the heavier bow, so there goes my other concern that I was overbowed.

Thanks everyone for your help, the things you guys showed me here did a world of good. I'll definitly be sticking around this forum for a while.  

[TimB]

P.S. what I meant was that straightening my shoulders helped with the back tension thing. A lot actually.