stuck below target.....

[klingville]

Hello,

My point-on is about 20 yards, but when I settle into my anchor, my arrow point is almost always below the target. But then I'm stuck there like a statue, knowing I have to get that point up, but, well...I'm "stuck" - mentally and physically.

I have tried to have the arrow point there when I reach anchor, but my draw starts high and I let everything come down as I approach anchor - helps me get my back into it.  But the bow naturally comes down to a certain level that feels comfortable, and there I am - stuck below target.

How do you guys put your arrow in the right position? Do you adjust by raising your bow arm up?  Do you adjust by leaning back, tilting at the waist?  Do you adjust your draw so your arrow point is where it should be when you reach anchor?

Generally the search button solves all my problems here, but thought I'd come right out and ask this one....

Many thanks,
Jeremy

[reddogge]

Hopefully when I finish drawing the arrow is at the proper level it needs to be and if the sight picture looks good the arrow is away. My bad elevation shot is usually a high shot.

[Green]

The best way to fix this is shoot lots and lots of arrows.  Find an arrow/point weight that spines and bareshaft's perfectly for your bow and shoot....a lot!  Until your mind is conditioned to draw to the proper elevation as Reddogge alludes to above. Your mind will auto-calculate trajectory for different yardages once this has become ingrained.  Oh yeah, changing arrows, spines, weights, etc. lengthens this process.....don't ask me how I know this.    

 

[Friend]

You may wish to consider coming up on the target during the draw cycle instead of coming down

[Flingblade]

Being stuck off target and not being able to move to the bullseye is one of the two main types of target panic more commonly afflicting those that shoot with sights.  The other type is not reaching full draw which is what I have but have under control.  Just my guess as I have never had the type of target panic that causes you to not be able to acquire the bullseye.  You may want to look at some of the target panic threads for more info.  Best of luck!

I've heard of the freezing off target type of TP.  Perhaps the Kidwell figure eight drills thru the mark will help.

[Old Vet]

I agree with Jim and Fingblade. Sounds like a form of target panic that generally aflicts sight shooters. Years back I got a bad case of sight freeze shooting a compound with sights and fingers. The way I cured the problem was drawing on the target, holding, counting to three, then, not shooting, but letting down. I would repeat the same process again. Then the third time, if the sight picture was right, I would pull through and shoot. If I was frozen off the spot I would let down and start again.The whole exercise was just to prove to myself that I was in control. Figure eight drills may help. Just build in your mind that you are in control, focus on the spot, and don't shoot until you feel comfortable. Good luck, I know the feeling and it is no fun.

[klingville]

Thanks for the replies....I think I need to let down if it ain't right. I attended a Rod Jenkins clinic and he stressed that - obviously I'm having trouble putting that into practice.

Thanks!!

[Terry Green]

I would like to offer help....but i really don't grasp the question.  My 'point ons' are between 50 and 60 yards depending on the bow...My arrows are always below the target somewhere untill I start shooting at point on ranges or beyond.

Maybe I'm reading something differently that the others, but I really don't understand the true problem you are having.

I will say that you don't just raise or lower you bow arm to change impact...that just takes you out of alignment.

[klingville]

Terry,

With your last statement, you are helping answer my question.  I am struggling at my point-on distance - which is about 20 yards.  I shoot 3-under, I have a draw that is a little over 26 inches, and pull about 42 lbs. 20 yds seems awfully short compared to most people, but that's where it is.... When I finish my draw for a 20 yard distance I find the point of the arrow below the target and struggle to get it up to where I need it to be. So my question essentially was how do people go about moving around to get aiming where they should when this happens?  Trying to push my bow arm up is difficult and as you say, takes me out of alignment....

Thanks....

[HenrikBP]

Just a newbie thought: maybe you settle into your current form/body position at full draw because that's where it all feels right.

If so, can you bring your "target view" to where you like it by tilting at the waist - thereby staying in your comfortable upper-body alignment, while "aiming" at the right spot?

Just a thought,

[xtrema312]

Bend some forward at the waste or even a little more bend in the front leg.  Then stand up or straighten up when you hit full draw.  You don't want to move your arm around and get out of alignment.  You want to adjust at the waste or a little with the knee.  That is how you do it from a tree.  You can do the same on the ground.  Rod covered this a little in MOBB 3.  It works for me.  If I draw standing nice and tall and I do not get on target when I hit full draw, I have a hard time making myself lean back.  I have no problem going from forward lean to more straight up.

[Terry Green]

OK.....then yes...you would bend at the waist to keep your alignment...

Hear's my youngest...10 in the pic...although she's not at full draw yet, you can see how she 'set up' for the shot....

She's bent at the waist and she has moved her leg back to gain stability from the lean back.  Her bow and drawing arms are still perfectly aligned.  Her back is also arched a bit to accommodate the severe angle. I didn't tell her anything, and it tickled me that she did this all on her own from what I taught her early on.

She almost got the squirrel....hitting the limb it was sitting on.....and it was a ways up the tree.

   

[klingville]

Thanks guys....HenrikBP: yah, I definitely settle into a comfortable position that is then hard to move from.  Extrema312: same here...I draw standing straight and tall, and then for some reason find it hard to tilt back.  Terry: thanks, and great picture too....

Jeremy

[manitou1]

I may be missing the point here (no pun intended), but at 20 yards, a lot of us are below the intended arrow impact area.
If your body naturally wants to point there and it isn't grossly below it, you may just adjust your nocking point downward 1/16" at a time, bringing the impact of your arrow upwards.
You really don't want to adjust your body to the impact, but adjust the arrow flight... otherwise you will remain inconsistant as you will be fighting your body and brain's natural pointing ability.  Does your arrow impact low when you are below the bullseye?
On level graound... feet about shoulder width apart and body weight should be distributed fairly evenly on both feet.  If shooting downhill, body weight should be focused on the lead foot.  If shooting uphill, body weight should be predominantly on rear foot.   With this method, you shouldn't have to hold low on those uphill and downhill shots.  Extreme angles, of course, do require bending at the waist.
If I'm misreading something... just scrap this info... I haven't had my Geritol today! Hee!

[reddogge]

klingville, a friend of mine shoots like that, has bow low and raises it up and then releases. I think it complicated everything for him. Most of the people I shoot with are on target when they come to full draw or just need microadjustments to get there.