How many points of contact?

[Doublegun]

Working on my form and realized that I am probably not getting the consistency that I would like to have because I am only using one anchor point: first finger at the corner of my mouth.

Should I have more contact?  Specifically should I also consider making sure the string touches my nose, thereby forcing me to have a letter line of sight down the shaft of my arrow?  I am wondering of my face is too far to the left of where it should be (shooting right handed).

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks in advance,

JDG

[njloco]

I shoot split, I stand upright and draw the string to my anchor, which is the middle finger to corner of mouth, I don't move my head to the string. I don't think your nose should touch the string, but you could try having the feather touch your nose as an extra anchor point, once I draw I keep my chin down, which moves the arrow more inline with my eye and lets the feather touch my nose.

Good luck.

[moebow]

JDG,

Here is a recommendation that I use for all my students and use myself.  First, hold your head still during the draw and bring the string to you, don't "go to meet it."

Then, as you reach anchor, the thumb goes under the jaw bone, the "C" formed by your thumb and forefinger cups the rear point of your jaw, the base knuckle of your index finger goes under your cheek bone and finally a finger in the corner of your mouth. That is 4 reference points.

I agree with njloco, the string on the nose only really works with the Oly style anchor (under the chin).  Not too good with a side of face anchor.

Arne

[Doublegun]

Thanks fellows. I appreciate the advice. That's pretty much what I have been doing but I started to question myself.

Cheers.

[reddogge]

One thing I warn people about relying on several anchor points to solve consistency in draw length problems is that may not solve the problem alone. Try drawing to an anchor point and then when you've reached the anchor rotate the right elbow to the right towards your back like you are closing a door. Do it in front of a mirror and you will notice your draw length has increased considerably but your anchor point has not moved at all. You've just expanded your draw properly.

Try this at longer yardages close to your point on and the difference between a non expanded draw and an expanded draw will show up immediately.

[njloco]

In a little follow up to what reddogge states, when this movement of the string elbow starts or as it continues, this is when the pinching of the back muscles takes place causing the fingers to release, and the follow through should cause the string hand to end up on or about the shoulder.

[moebow]

YEP & YEP!!  Reddogge and njloco.  I was only addressing the "references" question.  The references do little good until the bones are lined up and back tension is established.  Too many folks draw to the references first and then try to conform the body to fit.

When, in reality, the form needs to be established THEN the references set.

Arne

[njloco]

Moe, I learned all this stuff from your posts, yeah I've been shooting a long, long time, but it wan't until I came to Trad and started watching, and or reading your form instructions and tutorials on shooting that I learned what it was I was mostly already doing. I slowly made corrections and or modifications here and there from what I learned here. So all I am doing or trying to do, is pay it forward, and pray I'm giving good useful information.

Thanks!

[moebow]

nj, you are doing it very well!!

Arne