Longbow Form Suggestions

[Wolf Shield]

Hi Guys.  Looking to try and get better with my form, but I am struggling with a couple of obvious issues. High Elbow, not a straight bow arm.

See youtube video here.

 

First I have been struggling with target panic, so using the shooter tutor which is my attempt at blank bale.  Target panic has been not a strength issue but a mental block when drawing on a target. Seldomly reached full draw and anchor point.  Overcoming this now.

Recently switch to three fingers under.  Struggle here with a good anchor point, but settle in to my index finger under my check bone, arrow turned upside down  like a "Y" tip of fletching at my nose.  

Front arm I am trying to get a straight as possible, rotating the elbow out, but still looks pretty bent.

Draw Arm, high elbow, trying to bring it down, lot of force it seems on my third finger.

Thanks in advance.

Randy

[LongStick64]

Bow arm should be a natural position, imagine raising your hand to point at something in the distance, you don't hyper-extend or rotate. Eliminate all forms of tension in your hands and arms and insure most tension is in your back.

String hand, from the video I see a twist in your hand, that's why you might have issues with more tension on your bottom finger.

As far as Target Panic, time to reprogram. When I battled it, I would not shoot an arrow unless my form was solid. If I shot a bad arrow, I put the bow down for the day. No sense rewarding my mind for shooting badly, only shoot when you are doing your best form. Program your mind to only accept that. Reinforcing bad habits will extend the target panic.

[gringol]

I don't think your bow-arm looks too bad.  Your string elbow doesn't look too bad either.  You do however have a bit of creep before release.  You're letting your back collapse after you reach anchor.  Keep those traps engaged through the release.  Moebow should have some more/better advice for you at some point.

[moebow]

Randy,
Overall you are looking pretty good.  As mentioned, you do sort of "sink forward" to your anchor position and you do have a little twist in the string at full draw.

Try not to pull past your anchor references and then let the string hand move forward to anchor. You might try drawing to a point directly below (about an inch) your anchor references and then just lift straight up to anchor.  That "sink" motion is disconnecting you from your back and helping to cause your string hand to move slightly away from your face at release.

As far as the string twist, the secret is to get your forearm, wrist and hand as relaxed as possible.  Let the string align your hand, don't use the hand to align the string.  When you use the form master, as you draw, concentrate on leaving the string side as relaxed as possible.

Finally, your full draw alignments are really pretty good.  You MIGHT have your bow shoulder rolled forward (towards you chin) a little but would have to see in person to tell for sure.

Your string elbow is just fine!!  There seems to be a misconception that the elbow should be in line with the arrow both horizontally and vertically.  The truth is that the elbow should be in line with the arrow (or even slightly inside the arrow line) horizontally at full draw.  BUT, in the vertical, it should be above the arrow line.  Draw a line from the center of pressure of the bow in the bow hand to the string elbow.  IF that line goes through or very near the arrow nock, that IS what you want.

Don't sink forward to anchor and relax the string arm as much as possible and you will find your string hand will move straight back while staying in contact with your cheek.

Arne

[Wolf Shield]

Gentleman,


thank you for your time and comments.  I have looked at the video of moebow, very compelling.  Thank you for your efforts moebow.  

Longstick, thank you for your comments as well.  Battling target panic is not easy, but admitting it is even more difficult, but is the solution to overcoming it.  I also like your comments about keeping the tension out of the arms & hands, bow arm and string arm.  I have been trying to mimic the dave wallace slow motion video, and maybe that was ill advice, so thank you for your keeping me on the right path.

Gringol, thank you for the comments on string creep, it is difficult to hit the correct draw and alignment with the feather to the tip of the nose.  I will execute proper draw and anchor to enjoy "keeping those traps engaged throughout the pull".

Moebow, i have been really impressed but your comments and youtube videos.  Thank you for your dedication to archer's like me.  I really like your comments on form trumps bows.  Sinking is strange as I also noticed this in the slow motion video.  I'll attempt to keep my head in the same spot, add the angular draw concept, and draw to about an inch under the anchor point and them bring up.  I don't know why my bow arm shoulder rotates inward towards my chin.  If you wouldn't mind, I'll attempt to post some more youtube and see if I can correct this.  

Thanks gents and I entrust that your helping me will enhance your ability to become better shots yourself.

Respectfully,

Randy Flood

[Wolf Shield]

Arne,

I had to go back an re read your tread several times.  Thank you for the help.  

"Your string elbow is just fine!! There seems to be a misconception that the elbow should be in line with the arrow both horizontally and vertically. The truth is that the elbow should be in line with the arrow (or even slightly inside the arrow line) horizontally at full draw. BUT, in the vertical, it should be above the arrow line. Draw a line from the center of pressure of the bow in the bow hand to the string elbow. IF that line goes through or very near the arrow nock, that IS what you want."