Bow arm jumps after the shot

[Oscararrow]

My bow arm jumps more then I'd like after the shot. Is there a way to minimize this effect?

I've been watching "Masters of the Barebow"; David Q. has a nice follow through with little bow jump after the shot. Is this achievable for everyone?


Thanks,

[BlkDog]

I am somewhat new here, but I have been shooting for many years.  When you say "jumps," if you mean a quick left or right movement on release(usually jumps left for right handed people), it is usually caused by your form.  If your shoulders should be parallel to the arrow.  If they are not, your bow arm will jump upon release to assume proper alignment with your shoulders.  The best illustrations of this are found in Terry Green's posts to 'bowhunterinchile' in the pinned thread "How can I improve? (form Video)."  If your form doesn't start with the appropriate bone structure, once you release the string your arm will quickly jump into alignment.

I have also found that hand placement on the bow typically affects any up and down movement on release. Hope this helps...

[Oscararrow]

I'm in the process of working on better form; I'll try adjusting my shoulders to find the sweet spot.

This is the effect I'm getting=(usually jumps left for right handed people)

Thanks,

[BlkDog]

For me, I found my shoulders were the cause.  They were not parallel with my arrow.  As soon as I release, my arm would jump left to assume the position that I was lacking.  At this point I am concentrating on shoulder alignment and back tension every shot which has substantially reduced my groups.  Any movement in my bow arm is much less noticeable now and my follow through has improved substantially!  ..and so have my groups!!

[JC]

I think BlkDog nailed it: improper alignment causes you to hold the bow with more shoulder muscles than bone structure and back muscles...this causes that "jump" to the left for right handed shooters at the shot.

Proper alignment and a gentle "push" towards the target with the bow arm/shoulder will usually resolve this "jump".

[HumbleHunter]

I also had alot of jump to the left when I was shooting a bow that was too heavy of draw weight for me. Having it too heavy I wasn't really able to get in good form and good back tension. Have a great day, HH

[Oscararrow]

I spent time with three different bows; draw weights were 25(girlfriends), 40 and 55, length 60-62. I made sure my shoulders were parallel to the target. I'm only shooting 5 yards in the backyard with the targets setting on the ground, so I'm shooting at a downward angle; I should probably elevate the targets parallel to the ground.

Now my bow arm jumps downward about 4-5 inches with no left or right motion at the shot. arrows were shooting very straight; this is great as before I had a tendency to group high left.

I'm shooting three split fingers with a calf hair tab. My ring finger is taking most of the abuse as it very calloused opposed to the other two. Would this be part of bad form as well, or shooting on the downward angle? I'm trying to keep the tip of my drawing elbow in the same plane as my arrow.

Thanks for all the information it is greatly appreciated.

[BlkDog]

The finger issue is a different form issue.  The abused ring finger is due to torquing the string and putting to much weight on that finger.  It seems we are both going through a lot of the same issues.  Most of the string weight should be placed on your middle finger, not equal weight on all three.  After the shoulder alignment and back tension, this has been my current battle.  To fix this I am consciously beginning my draw with only my middle finger and then I place the index and ring fingers to match the position of the string (more of a "V" shape as opposed to all 3 inline).  Also, be sure to head position and drawing hand match the cant in your bow.  By doing this, my release and groups continue to improve.  As a bonus, I no longer have the tip of my ring finger going numb for 3 days at a time.  Switching from a damascus glove probably helped the numbness a little too.

[rnharris]

what about the type of bow iv'e shot bows that kicked your hand when shot and iv'e shot bows that had no noticable shock when released i am a fairly new shooter what about the grip how does this affect the movement of bow on release seems to me a light grip on bow would maybe show a alighnment problem thanks Ralph

[toddster]

Well, as already state ensure that your shoulders are lined up, if not your body with untwist itself, and cause this.  But also being over bowed could cause this.  On that note your bow are always moves, part of a natural releases not talked about much but does happen.  If you are shooting good, and making good groups and not hurting, then I say the system is working for you.

[Terry Green]

Can you video yourself?