drawing the bow

[swampthing]

I've seen quite a bit on the mechanics of the draw, but, I have never heard a description of it.  For instance when we draw the bow, to full draw, how much are we rotating our ball and socket joint? From what I can see you would not want to rotate that shoulder so far back that the elbow is inline with it. This would give you a huge increase in draw length, but, it looks like you are putting the shoulder in a compromised position by stretching out the rotator cuff. Now if we just draw back to a point where the draw elbow is juuuust outside inline of the nock, your follow through at release will be right behind the nock at the shot.
  My ? is how far are YOU rotating/pulling that draw shoulder around/back? All the way as far as it goes with out binding/tensing up or straining? Draw elbow directally behind the nock? Draw elbow juuuust out side the nock?  Of coure at full draw in front of a mirror, where is that draw elbow? And what sesation do you get in the draw shoulder at full draw? Locked back and "AROUND the Straight Away Plane? or just to where it is smooth and comfy??

[McDave]

I try to achieve the position shown in Terry's form clock, at the top of this forum.  However, I find this difficult to judge for myself.  The closest I can come is that I try to draw until I get the feeling that the force of the draw on my forearm is flowing directly in line with the arrow, so that in the moment before release, the last tiny movement I make is directly back from the way I want the arrow to go.  When I achieve this, the arrow seems to go where I'm looking and not off to one side or the other.

[Stumpkiller]

I don't bring my upper draw arm anywhere near in line with my shoulder(s).  Probably still at least a 20° angle off the line between my upper arm and my shoulders.  I do point my bow arm more in line with the arrow flight than Terry's form clock image shows.  A throwback to my target archery days.  But that also means I have to be careful of loose clothing around my upper arm area.

I've got a 30" draw length and use it all up.  And Terry's a better shot than me so pay attention to what he suggests.  ;-)

   

[swampthing]

Trying/experimenting with the feeling of, from the start of a swing draw, drawing the bow by squeezing my shoulder blades together as I raise the bow up.
   Explained as if you take a piece of rubber tubing and held it with your palms facing your belly, now bring your elbows straight out to your sides as you pull your shoulder blades together as you bring the whole movement up to inline with your neck, anchor is done in the back, you cant go any further out and back when you tighten them up and lock'em together.
 Find a spot on your face that feels natural and doesn't make us loose that solid back.
 Does this sound right? I feel no strain in the shoulder or rotator cuff, gives me 27.5" draw and I'm 5'11".

[BobCo 1965]

My ? is how far are YOU rotating/pulling that draw shoulder around/back?

---Until a line can be drawn accross both shoulders, the bow arm, and the bow arm wrist. This is called the "Barrel of the Gun".

Draw elbow directally behind the nock?

----At least, a little past is optimal.Keep in mind however, that this usually does not come overnight for most people.

Of coure at full draw in front of a mirror, where is that draw elbow?

----Can't see it. Again, this should not be forced and it does not come overnight.

And what sesation do you get in the draw shoulder at full draw?

----Personally, focus is on the back. More specifically and personally, the lower part of the draw side scapula. I honestly couldn't tell you the sensation in the draw side shoulder.

[Bowmania]

You could eliminate that question by buying a Formaster.

Bowmania

[Bowwild]

After proper stance, arrow nock, draw hand set, and bow hand set....

Pre-draw. With the bow undrawn raise both bow and drawing arms by HINGING at the shoulder to keep the shoulders level. Raise both until parallel to the ground or floor. (If you start the draw with the bow pointed down, your bow shoulder will be higher than the other--eventual Mercedes payment for the Ortho-dude).

Then smoothly draw the bowstring to your anchor.

At anchor imagine (or actually have someone extend a piece of string)a line from your bowhand, through your anchor and past the elbow of the drawing arm (straight line). The elbow should be just a bit in FRONT of this line (1/2"). If your elbow is further in front you are underdrawn and holding the bow with your biceps. If you are in line or behind this line you are overdrawn and will have difficulty using back motion to execute your release.

Note: FITA and Olympic shooters will often come into perfect alignment because they use a clicker as a trigger to execute the release.

With the elbow in this position, after aiming (however you do it) and keeping the drawing arm and bow arm muscles active, initiate a slight movement of the drawing elbow rearward (towards the imaginary line). As soon as you "think" elbow move rearward (you should feel your romboid move) immediately relax the back of the drawing hand and fingers all at once.

The drawing hand will instantly paint your face, under your ear and the thumb will end up on or near your shoulder. The bow arm will jump towards the target and drop to the side and down a bit. Proper follow-through is an animated swing.