Form check

[reini]

Hi all!

This is my first post asking for a form check.
Any hints will be greatly appreciated - please tell me ruthless what I'm doing wrong.

   

Think my bow-shoulder is too high and pressed too much towards the bow?

The most urgent problem I'm trying to solve is getting into backtension.
Don't know why but most times I cannot reach it.

Big thx in advance! Reini

[tj69]

Thanks for sharing your video.
There are so many ways for shooting, you have to find your own.
My opinion is: bow shoulder to high, bow arm not racked and your posture isnt a big "T"
You better correct height with your hip and not with your bow arm.
Just my 0,02$

[moebow]

Hi Reini,
You appear to have a pretty smooth shot.  tj69 hit a few points as  did you.

Your bow shoulder IS to far forward toward the bow and way too high.  This is caused by lifting the bow shoulder to get the bow to drawing position rather than just the bow arm.  Try to hold the bow shoulder down and back with your "lats" and just raise the bow with your arm.

Also watch yourself as you draw.  Your spine to bow arm angle is not at 90 degrees.  Part of this is caused by the slight "S" shape to your spine.  Look at your posture (spine shape) from belt buckle to head.  See how it tends to form an "S" shape, to the left in the video picture? This lean would be to your right side  Also as you are reaching your full draw position your head is moving back (away from the target).

Try this as an exercise.  First stand straight with your head directly above your belt buckle and DO NOT let your self move your spine or head.

Second, raise the bow without letting your shoulder move up and forward.

Third, start your draw from a little higher position.  Raise the bow/arrow/string arm as high as your nose then when you draw your string arm elbow will move in a SLIGHT downward direction to  your full draw position.  Draw to the same level that you are using now just start the sequence higher.  This will really help you with the transfer of weight to your back.

reini,  If you can correct your posture and stop the movement you have as you draw it will go a long way to improving your shooting.

[reini]

thx tj69 and esp. moebow for your very detailed analysis!

I'll follow your suggestions today and give you feedback then.

thx reini

[BowsanAiros]

reini..
The reason why it looks like your bow shoulder is too high is because your not in the "T" position. And you're
leaning back to get to full draw. Your bow arm is in the bent position as well and that will also make it look that way.
Your shoulder is also moving out toward your chest. Most like to prevent your string from hitting your forearm.
And your head is moving into the string.

When trying to correct these types of form errors, you first have to correct it from the ground, up.

 You may find if you keep your right leg straight and slightly bend your left(leading)leg helpful. Most of your
weight should be on the leading leg. If you lean back like you have been, you'll feel it, and know to correct it.
You'll be able to get that "T" position a bit easier doing this as well.

[reini]

Tried out all your suggestions and there are definitely improvements in hitting more precise now!

I'm holding my bow shoulder low to get that T.
And I'm holding that T still, including head,  while pulling to my anchor.
By holding the drawing ellbow slightly higher it is a little bit easier to get into back tension but it's difficult furthermore.

I'll continue to work on that and will post a new video asap.

thx to you all! Reini

[reini]

Got it!!!

Moebow's hint was the key: "Look at your posture (spine shape) from belt buckle to head. See how it tends to form an "S" shape, to the left in the video picture?"

Couldn't see this by myself - you aren't a orthopedist or such, moebow?!

Because my spine was bent when drawing, it was very difficult to get the shoulders horizontal to reach that T posture.

Now I'm holding the spine straight and everything else is solved automatically.
The whole back is now involved in the shooting process.
With my previous wrong form I used only arm and shoulder muscles. Back tension is reached now without problems - wow!

Thank you so much moebow - i will exercise on this and post a new video when I'm firm with it.

reini

[Bowmania]

First of all, I don't think you shoot with a sequence.  Rod Jenkins told me they did some high speed photography of him shooting a glove at Lancaster Archery.  He said if you saw it you'd never shoot a glove, puts extra oscillations in the string comparied to a tab.

Your turning your left shoulder into the bow.  Take more time when you have the bow up.  Two things that I'd think of (part of the sequence that I don't think you have) is one lock that shoulder down so it can't turn in. And two picture that arrow in the bull before you shoot.  There's a lot of time between putting the bow up and starting the draw.  Your not using it.  Things speed up once you start the draw.

You could double your back tension.  Your opening your fingers to release.  You should use back tension to pull your fingers off the string.  They should be cupped behind your head, not on the side of your face after the arrow is gone.  The great thing about shooting back tension is you have no idea of when the string is going to go off.

I know your were on film, but Rod Jenkins says take 45 second between shots.  I was told this 40 years ago.  It not only gives your muscles time to recover, it makes you think of your last shot and the next.

If you feel the need to build a sequence in your shot send me an email.  In the subject line put Shoot Along.  [email protected]

Bowmania

[moebow]

That's great reini!  No I'm not an orthopedist just a long time instructor that recognizes some things.  Bowmania has mentioned several items too that are good. Things to work on.  I'm looking forward to the next video.

I tend to take these one step at a time since one correction often makes other problems go away.  Kind of like tuning an arrow to a bow, take one step at a time, don't change nock point, shelf thickness and point weight all at once you just do one thing then move on to the next.

The high to low draw does really help you get into the back muscles but it does take some practice to get feeling comfortable with it.  Keep at it.