String hitting chest.

[Jock Whisky]

I don`t know if this is a problem or not but I`ll ask anyway.

I shoot right handed, 50lb +/-, split fingers and anchor on the first molar past my inscisor with my middle finger. This gets my string arm in line with the arrow.

When I get to full draw the string is hitting my chest at the left pec. To expand any further causes the string to dig a bit further into my chest.

Is this a problem. What effect could it have on accuracy. What solutions would be appropriate.

[moebow]

Jock,

This is not uncommon but it sounds like there is a small problem with your "expansion" technique.  IF you expand correctly, the string AND string hand DO NOT MOVE!  Expansion moves the upper string arm and string shoulder perpendicular to the arrow line.

This can be accomplished by either pulling your string shoulder back a little more OR thinking "stick my chest out a little" (VERY LITTLE!)

The movement is perpendicular to the arrow line and towards your back.  IF, however, you are pulling straight back along the arrow line (away from the target) then the string will press into your chest more.

In your last question,"Is this a problem?"  It could be.  If you are pulling straight back along the arrow line, you can only do that with arm muscles which can and probably will "take you out of your back tension.  The string touching your chest is not a problem, but the increase of pressure by the string could be.

See if that helps.

Arne

[Jock Whisky]

Thanks Arne. I have a question about expansion. For the sake of this discussion lets assume that there is an end point for how far you can actually expand. In other words you hit the wall.
When I get to full draw I have already felt my back engage. I think about rotating my elbow around behind me. It's somewhat like going over peak weight with a compound but on a much more subtle scale. Achieving any more expansion after that point feels almost impossible. In other words I've hit the physical limit. Does this sound reasonable?

Looking at it another way. When you get to the point just before you commit to expansion would it be correct to say that you are 99% of the way to full draw but not 100%. The last 1% is the engagement of the back muscles and the perpendicular movement of the drawing elbow. Am I drawing too far initially and leaving no room to expand because I've gone as far as I can?

[moebow]

If your "system" is: draw to loading, anchor, transfer to holding, expand, follow through; then at anchor you are 100% at full draw at anchor. There should be no further visible movement of the string or string hand.

At holding there is very little further movement of the shoulder or upper string arm available but there is some.  BUT! it is internal movement and not really visible to an outside observer.  It is more of a thought than an actual movement.  Continue to press back but don't expect to FEEL actual movement, just the pressing.

This is quite hard to describe in written form and much more understandable in person.

Arne

[Jock Whisky]

Arne once you reach anchor is there a pause of any kind before you transfer to holding or is it all one motion with anchoring just a "milepost" along the way?

[moebow]

Continuous motion but slowing to a point of "you can't see it anymore."  "Holding" is a step in the process but not a stopping point.
Arne

[Jock Whisky]

OK so expansion is more a building of back tension with little or no movement. I think I achieve that but am trying to add movement.

 If shooting with a clicker or trying to get the feather to the nose how do you do that without movement of some kind? It would seem that the draw length would have to increase minimally. Sorry for all the questions but this is a real puzzle for me.

[Sirius Black]

Does bow length make a difference? My 60" bow is fine, but my 66" does hit my left chest (right handed shooter)before I reach anchor, everything else being the same.

[moebow]

Jock,

"OK so expansion is more a building of back tension with little or no movement. I think I achieve that but am trying to add movement."

Correct.  Just don't add the movement.

"If shooting with a clicker or trying to get the feather to the nose how do you do that without movement of some kind?"

Remember the clicker is on the bow, the feather is to the nose on the string side.  Different animals!  The reason I seldom address the feather on the nose technique is that in my estimation you can't do that without pulling further to the rear. I am not convinced that it works with the perpendicular movement I've been talking about.

Good expansion (for clicker activation) is done on the string side BUT!!!! affects the bow side and actually pushes the bow out towards the target a little (1/16 to 1/8th inch).  This is why it is so hard to try to explain in words!!!  What you do on the string arm/shoulder side will affect the bow shoulder and arm side.  You DO NOT push the bow side out, the bow side GETS pushed out by the string side.

I strongly suggest that "feather to the nose" and "clicker activation" are  done in different ways.  AND with very different shooting techniques.  FOR ME, any further movement of the string, string hand or arrow AFTER anchor will kill your back tension.

I AM NOT saying that it isn't a viable technique, just that that is not what I teach or support.

Sirius,  Absolutely, a shorter bow will clear your chest more but adds finger pinch due to string angle at the fingers.  A longer bow is more apt to hit the chest  but reduces finger pinch.  Why you see so many target archers with chest protectors due to 68, 70 or even 72 inch bows. There are always compromises.

Arne

[Jock Whisky]

FOR ME, any further movement of the string, string hand or arrow AFTER anchor will kill your back tension.  

 This is exactly what I find happens. I'm at a point where rearward movement of the string is impossible because all movement is perpendicular to the arrow. I MUST pull with the arm/hand to get the feather back. When I do that I end up plucking and the arrow heads to the right.
Thanks Arne. this clears up a lot.