Drawing with Back Muscles?

[Gator1]

I'm not sure if this should be on Shooting forum, but I need some tips for using my shoulder muscles to draw my bow.

Any drills, tips, processes would be apreciated.

My right shoulder is worn out and Arthritis has set in.  I think in part from poor form.

Mods, feel free to move if in the wrong spot...

[mahantango]

Look for the thread on rotational draw in the shooters forum. Good stuff - as is anything by moebow. A linear draw or a push-pull is rough on shoulders, especially with the higher #s. The only thing worse is a freakin' compound.

[BowHunterGA]

Not sure if this will help or not, and I am not sure I can even explain exactly what I try to do but here goes.

As I bring the bow to full draw I try to pretend I am trying to hold a softball between my shoulder blades using my back muscles. As I release I try to make the release as much a part of contracting my back muscles as it is "letting go of the string". Is really harder to explain that it is to do. For all I know this is bad habit/form but it was how I taught myself to release when I was shooting wheelies with a realease and it made sense to me to use the same technique (modified of course) when I went back to shooting fingers.

Those more practiced than myself please comment as I would really like to know if this is bad practice myself.

So far as axcercises. I have some basic ones that I do at least 3 times a week, more often if I am trying to adjust to an increase in weight. As with any excercises work into these slowly to avoid any further injury.

1 - Using a bow that you are comfortable drawing bring the bow to 1/3 your draw length and hold while counting to 3, then bring to 1/2 draw and count to 3, then to your anchor and count to 3, now reverse this while letting the bow down stopping at 1/2 and 1/3 draw. Repeat this with your left arm as well. Do 3 to 5 sets. If I am trying to increase draw weight I hold each for a 10 count instead of 3.

2 - Bring the bow to full draw and anchor in a rapid, but smooth manner, then once at anchor slowly let down the bow while counting to 10. Again, if trying to increase weight I count to 20. The negative resistance does a lot to build strength because it is the opposite of what you are consistently doing while shooting.

3 - Dumbell Rows are great. Do these with enough weight to provide adequate resistance, not so much that you injur yourself. When doing rows using a count method is a good way to avoid just "going through the motion. Count to 10 when lifting the weight, count to 5 while holding at top of the stroke and then count to 10 while lowering the weights. If you can't do this at least 5 reps then you are using too much weight.

One last note. I have some issues with my joints as well. Too many crazy stunts when I was younger are catching up on me. I have found Ostio-bi-plex to be a blessing. It isn't cheap and I keep meaning to look for a cheaper alternative but for me this stuff does wonders!

Truly hope this helps!

[pdk25]

All I can say is start focusing on your back like Steve said.   I don't get too fancy with it, but I like to do most of the work with the drawing side and not much push. Alot of times when I am hunting I end up with the bow arm extending and waiting for an opportunity to draw without spooking the animal. Sometimes this is very slow and controlled. I don't shoot as heavy as some, but I can do this well with bows up to 80#. I think drawing more slowly may help you focus on your back muscles, but your mileage may vary.

[wingnut]

Get to one of Rod Jenkins clinics.  He will get not just your back involved but the correct muscles in you back.  It makes a world of difference.

I think that if more young folks took the time to learn to do it right they won't be worn out when they are old like me.

Mike

[Ragnarok Forge]

I use a simple technique with new shooters to help them get a feel for using their back.   Grab an arrow at both ends.  One hand in front of the fletching.   The other behind the point.  Hold the arrow at chest height 18 to 24 inches from your body.  Now pull both hands straight apart.   You will feel your shoulders being pulled together by your back muscles ( rhomboids ).   Focus and repeat this a dozen times using only the rhomboids.  

I have a slack forearm and hand on the draw.  The only thing tense are the fingers holding the string.   I use the back muscles to draw to anchor.  I pause for a split second and focus on pulling only with the Rhomboids.  After a while it becomes second nature.   A dynamic release works best for me with this method.

[Green]

Moebow just posted a new video discussing and illustrating this very thing using stretch bands on his youtube page.  Might give it a look Mitch.

[LongStick64]

It really is simple, initiate the draw with your back muscles, and maintain it throughout the draw. Problems occur when you start off drawing with your arms and then try to shift to the back.

[59Alaskan]

I am going through the same thing but to the point I've had two doctors tell me I need to switch to LH shooting or quit.

I am working on switching left but using proper form.  I recommend watching and following Moebow's rotational draw video, and his new one Rob mentions several times.

It took me quite a while and some frustration as often you hear "just use your back" but this is difficult to even understand how to do if you have never done it.  Watch as many videos as you can.

For me looking at Terry's form clock post along with Moebow's videos made it click for me.

[ammoeater]

Buy, or make yourself a Formaster.

[BobCo 1965]

Try setting the shot trainer short. Your wrist should be rotated out, not in. Fingers should only be lightly touching the string. When the shot trainer is set right, you will have to incorporate your back into the draw.

If you get the shot master, I believe good instructions on this exercise is included. You will not be releasing an arrow with this exercise.