Form Question with Picture

[Nate N]

I really do not have anyone to critique me.  I have somer pretty big shoulders and dont feel like i am getting good form.  Could you guys take a look at this picture and tell me if i am doing anything wrong.  Maybe i am okay but i just feel like i might not be fully extending.
Thanks, Nate
 

[moebow]

Nate,  

Not bad from this angle.  Here's what I see.  You do not have your string arm elbow behind the arrow.  I suspect that your release flips your hand out away from your face.  Try opening your shoulders a little (stick your chest out) that will rotate your string arm elbow around towards your back more and your string hand will pull straight back upon release.  

Also, try to relax your bow hand.  When you stick your fingers out like that, you create tension in your bow forearm and you will "catch the bow" on release causing more bow movement and unnecessary hand movement.  Relax those fingers so they lay gently on the back of the bow.  Then when you release the bow is already captured and you don't have to move the fingers to catch it.

It looks as if you are really pretty close.  The key is to relax EVERYTHING not needed for the shot and getting that elbow behind the arrow.

[bowslinger]

Nate,

Your form is pretty good, but there a few things you may want to try.

From your photo, it appears you are leaning forward with your head and your right should is rolled forward a little.  Try standing a little more straight up and down.  With a more vertical stance, try pulling your right elbow further backward using your back muscles. As noted by moebow, your right elbow is a little too far forward, which means you are holding with your shoulder and not with your back.  By holding with your back muscles, it will be easier to get a smoother release becasue youll be able to relax your draw arm.

You may also want to play with a slightly more open stance.  For a right-handed shooter, it means place your feet about shoulder width, with the toes of your left foot about even with the middle of the arch or the heal of your right foot.  Play around with the open stance to see if it feels any better.  You can vary the stance by turning your left foot toward the target. The open stance will give you more more string clearance when you start wearing bulkier clothing this fall.

Your bow arm looks good, but as moebow also noted, holding your fingers on your left hand straight out indicates tension.  Try letting your fingers relax against the bow.

If you you can afford it, the video Masters of the Barebow, volume 3 is an excellent instructional DVD that may let you learn good form much more quickly than by trying to learn it on your own.  I highly recommend it!

Mike

[-Achilles-]

Its hard to critique form with a picture.The only way to do it is to see you shoot.

[Nate N]

THanks guys.  I will try to make those changes that you talked about and will fill you in on how it is working for me

[cbCrow]

Hey Nate, I would offer you one piece of advise. Get a copy of Bryon Ferguson "Become the Arrow". I can not begin to relay to you how this book helped me and my shooting. My shooting is better by leaps and bounds since reading it, as it is geared to a LB shooter. Try it ,you may like it!      

[BobCo 1965]

Nice job so far!!!

First thing that I noticed is what bowslinger mentioned concerning your stance. Your hips are in a position which is completely closed or goes beyond closed. Can't see your feet, but I noticed that your left leg is in awkward position which will put things out of balance. Try rotating the hips in a counter clockwise position, even somewhat past the shoulder alignment.

moebow mentioned your bow hand, which also stands out to me. Try to keep an even pressure (light) throughout the shot even after your follow through. Don't let the pressure fluctuate and let the bow settle in position when drawing.

Other then that always think back tension and maybe try to rotate the bow elbow a bit further (it is actually the upper arm that rotates in the shoulder socket).

Great job and keep at it!

 

[Nate N]

Thanks guys i will keep you posted

[Nate N]

Thanks for all the help guys.  I have been concentrating on getting my draw elbow inline with the arrow and just doing that is making a world of difference.  It also increased my draw length.