High Elbow Fix

[BMorv]

When I filmed myself shooting a while back I realized my elbow was way high and I've been trying to keep my string arm more horizontal during the draw, but it has been a struggle.  I have long arms (I'm not sure that matters) and it doesn't feel natural to me to keep that elbow down.  I have been practicing a downhill draw like what Arne Moe teaches in his rotational draw video.  That helped some, but my elbow still looks too high when compared to others.  
Any tips or things I could work on during practice?

[Stumpkiller]

I have the opposite problem and tend to drop my draw elbow - causing me to hit high.

When I was in college the archery coach would walk up behind you and jab you in the offending spot with an arrow if your bow arm elbow was down or draw elbow "out of square"

Take some time to stand close to the target and just shoot for form.  Raise your bow arm first and draw the arrow straight back.  Think about the line of the arrow and pushing your elbow away horizontally and in-line with that - so you are taking your elbow away from he target.  (Rather than push-pull or "dropping" the bow on target).  You don't have to shoot all the time this way (I know some who do) but until you get that elbow located instinctively it may help.

[McDave]

Since no one else has chimed in, I’ll take a crack at it, although I have no particularly brilliant ideas on the subject.  My elbow position is a result of other forces, rather than a decision to put it high or low.  I try to pull straight back on the string, which puts my elbow more or less in line with the arrow.  I can feel additional pressure on the top of my index finger if my elbow is too low, and additional pressure on the bottom of my ring finger if my elbow is too high.  I couldn’t really tell you exactly where my elbow is, but I can feel the pressure on my string fingers equalize as I move my elbow into the correct position as I draw the bow.

I shoot three under, but I suppose another indicator if I shot split fingers would be excessive pressure on the bottom of my index finger if my elbow were too high.

[McDave]

Sorry Charlie, obviously someone HAD chimed in just before I finished writing my post!

[BMorv]

I wish I would have taken archery in college!  It probably would have saved me countless headaches.  I'll try and keep my arm in line with the arrow
during the draw, and hopefully it helps.    

Yeah, I never thought about my elbow either until I looked at the video of myself shooting, and realized how weird it looked.  Good tip on noticing pressure on the fingers.  It's simple enough, but I haven't thought about it.

Thanks for the tips guys.    I would take archery lessons but the nearest city with coaches is an hour away, so the helpful responses are much appreciated.

[Stumpkiller]

No Problem, McDave.  ;-)

That archery course was one of the few I took that I still use the practical knowledge I gained.  ;-)

The video is a great idea - but how it looks is less critical than how they stack up in the target.  If you have a vertical spread . . . maybe it's that elbow.


Here:  I'll put myself up for critique (Third shooter in the video)

     

Video on YouTube:
 
   

McDave mentions a great point - the finger "balance".  I notice this with the tab/split finger style I shoot.  A few years ago I lopped 1" off my right ring finger and it is reattached.  When I could again shoot right handed I had to relearn the feel with only partial feeling in the pad of that finger.  Messed me up then and to some extent still does.    So I have to think more about it - for better or worse.

Also, learning to shoot left handed for a year REALLY made me think about form and all the fine points.  

If you haven't already done it look to the top of this sub-forum and read through "Terry's Form Clock".

[BMorv]

I would miss the target with that many people staring at me!
For what it's worth, your form looks.  Quick, but smooth draw.  I think you would get more feedback if the video was taken from the other side where we could see your anchor and release.  
 
It's been a few months but yes I have read through all of the threads on "Terry's Form Clock".  I can notice good form and balance when I see other people shoot, but for me, it's one of those easier said than done things.

[BMorv]

*your form looks GOOD