Consistent draw length

[Jessebeaux]

Any tips/tricks to consistently draw to the SAME length everytime? My last option is the clicker but unless yall have some good tips/tricks I'll give in and get one.

[moebow]

Line your bones up from the bow hand to the string arm shoulder.  You will feel like there is a "let off" when you achieve this and your bones, once lined up, will always produce the same draw length.  Bone on bone!

Arne

[Jessebeaux]

In order to do this I would have to lock/completely straighten my elbow - This will obviously cause string slap on my arm? Is that inevitable in the traditional archery world which is why I see so many arm guards unlike I do in compound world?

[moebow]

First, IF using bone on bone, you elbow is straight but NOT locked, pronating the elbow will help here in combination with a good bow hand position.

Second, What is so bad about using an arm guard????

Finally, most C bow shooters are holding 15# or less at full draw, they can get away with a lot of positions that may or may not produce a good shot.  With single string archery you are holding the entire bow weight at full draw.  Many of us can benefit from the stronger structure of bone on bone and the "power triangle."

You asked for tips on how to "draw the SAME everytime," I gave you one.  Our bone length doesn't change. But if only using muscle, as muscles fatigue, where you draw can and does change.

Good luck, I hope you find a technique that works for you.

Arne

[Terry Green]

DOUBLE Anchor.

[McDave]

I don't use a clicker, and try to align myself the way Arne describes.  I think the main reason compound shooters don't need arm guards is because of the compound bow's higher brace height.  When shooting trad recurves with brace heights of 8" or more, I never need an arm guard.  Same with r/d longbows with brace heights of 7 1/2" or so.  However, with a Hill longbow braced at 6 1/2", I need an arm guard.

Even though I try to align myself as Arne describes, I don't always succeed.  I think I'm properly aligned, but my head droops or I don't expand enough, etc, and I don't reach my full draw length.  After a shot or two goes low, I begin asking myself "why", and since I tend to make the same mistakes after all these years, I generally can figure out why I'm doing it.  However, this is after the fact.  If I were highly competitive, I would use a clicker to make sure I was always at full draw before releasing the arrow.  I think all Olympic shooters use clickers for that reason.  Not all competitive trad shooters use them, and not all trad tournaments even allow them.  It would appear that the top trad shooters can consistently come to full draw without a clicker without making the same mistakes I seem to regularly make.  Good for them, but if I were going to compete at that level, I would need to use one.

[crazynate]

I use double anchor too. Also it's important to keep extending through the shot. Never stop pulling

[forestdweller]

There's no need to use a clicker.

As Terry said you should have two anchors or reference points.

Another thing is that you should practice drawing your bow back without shooting it when you have the time.

You will start to get used to the weight that's on the fingers at full draw and will subconsciously know when you have reached full draw due to the pressure that's on your fingers along with hitting both anchor (or reference) points.

Most of the time if someone is having trouble reaching full draw (their draw length) each time than I think they are over bowed and need to build up their strength and endurance.

Reason being is that if we took a 20# bow and told them to draw the arrow back the same amount each time they could do it with ease.

Good luck

[Jessebeaux]

Thanks everyone! Specially Moebow! Certainly nothing wrong with armguard I just always wondered why they were so much more popular in Trad. Does anyone car to post a pic of "bone on bone" form as discussed above? Also, would anyone care to share what your 2 anchors are?

[the rifleman]

My anchors are joint of thumb under jaw at base of ear, index finger knuckle under check bone, and feather to my nose.  I think I'm getting bone on bone as Arne says as at full draw I do get a sense of let off--- but I do shake at times...  I've learned a lot from these guys on this site.

[Terry Green]

Search Double Anchor

Search Bone

Lots of threads with lots of info....the Form Clock thread has lots of info....The Bowhunters of TradGang DVD also has lots of info.