bow arm stability while drawing (rotational)

[kerry]

In Arne's video he covers the bow arm not moving left or right while drawing and holding.  It makes a big difference for me when done this way.  Question is, Why?  Why can't you recover from a shift while drawing if you get back on point before release?  Is it because there is a lack of tension or Coil? It works, dunno why.

[moebow]

Kerry, The idea is that the bow arm from shoulder to bow hand is static and set, that gives you the foundation to "rotate" around.  IF the bow arm is moving at the shoulder, then you have a moving part to contend with as you apply the draw.  You are setting the bow side of the archer's "T" early in the draw then levering the string side of the "T" into alignment against a solid starting structure.

IF both sides are moving during the draw it is much more difficult to get to alignment.

Arne

[kerry]

Thanks for the explanation Arne.  I will add that piece of the puzzle into the sequence, though it will take countless  repetitions to get it "grooved".  Your contributions here and McDave's, Terry's and others is quite a resource.

[starshooter]

ThiS answers a question that has been going around and around
 In my head. I previously and incorrectly thought that with a angular 45 degree
draw there was a corresponding left to right movement of your bow arm ( shooting right handed) Reason for this was to prevent the torque of the bowstring
when pulling diagonally. So the string will naturally align with the bow limbs dead center before the release? Wouldn’t a torqued string damage the limbs / nocks and defeat the power of the shot ?Serious concern of mine. Thanks and apologies if I butted in.

[moebow]

Star, a legitimate question and illustrates a huge misunderstanding and very common error (even some coaches/instructors don't get it) about the rotational draw.
The bow hand/arm STAYS ON TARGET during the draw; The bow TURNS IN THE HAND during the draw, so NO TORQUE on the string!!  The string aligns the bow or said another way, the bow follows the string unless the bow is restricted by a tight grip. You see the arrow start out to the left of the target( right handed) and then it comes around into alignment at full draw.

The ONLY torque on the string is as the bow weight builds, your string wrist will straighten a little which tends to turn the fingers SLIGHTLY which is what keeps the arrow on the shelf.

Arne

[starshooter]

Ok I get it now I remember your saying the bow is slightly to the left and as I draw the the bow rotate a little in my hand asi reac the anchor. If my grip is tight
What would happen ? Inefficient power and stress on the nocks right?

[moebow]

Yes, and you will try to twist the flat plane of force the bow wants to establish out of "flatness" causing many problems.  When you draw a bow, the physics will try to keep the plane between the string and bow flat.  IF you grip too tightly, that's when you end up twisting the string into an "S" curve through the fingers, or twist the bow out of plane with the string.  You get inconsistent shots that way.  Nothing good happens.  We have to learn to keep out of the way and let the bow do what it needs to.

[starshooter]

Thanks! I am going get my practice bow w/ 25# limbs and work on this!

[the rifleman]

Good thread.  After reading, i noted left and right movements in my bow arm during draw.  Something i need to work on resolving.

[kerry]

Update -

It works.  I shoot 10 times at 17 yds. at a  one inch 10 ring and count as good any shot within a two inch diameter (so, a 5 inch diameter circle). I hope that makes sense.

My  avg. was 7 until I focused on bow arm stability.  8 became my avg.  Then, a few days I hit 9 and would fall back to 7 on a bad day.  Progress for sure.

I never could hit 10 of 10 because ( I assume ) pressure would build in my mind and I would flinch on # 6  or #8. That would relieve the pressure and I would hit the remainder most days.

Then I stumbled into a "phenomenon" that caused me to shoot 10 of 10.

I was winterizing my lawn mower by letting it run out of gas 6 feet from where I stand to shoot.  Loud. 
I decided to multi'task and shoot anyway.

You guessed it.  10 0f 10!  It felt like I was detached from the whole process because my senses were suppressed by the noise.  Felt like I was watching someone else shoot my bow.  I suppose because I couldn't hear the arrow slide across the rest, my bones and ligaments groan during the draw, I was free from distraction.

Addition by subtraction.

Makes me wonder about athletes using ear buds, etc.

Anyway,  I've been trying the 10 of 10 for about 4 yrs and finally did it.  ( A smart guy would quit right now.)

[moebow]

Might cause a problem hunting with a running lawn mower nearby.   

Glad to hear the good news though!!!

Arne

[kerry]

Good point Arne.

Guess I'll have to set all my stands next to an interstate now!