Is it possible my draw got shorter, Arne?

[Diamond Paul]

Arne, I've been working on some of the stuff in your vids, really watching your shot sequence, and after doing so I believe that I have been overdrawing the bow for a while in an effort to use my back.  Really working on the rotational draw, it seems like my natural, unforced shoulder rotation anchors me up just a bit shorter than I was before.  I know I am shooting better and getting better arrow flight now than I ever have before, and have far less of a problem with random left misses, my Achilles heel.  I hear many people say that after working with a coach or going to a seminar, they gained draw length, so I was just wondering if this sounded out of the ordinary or not?  Thanks, Paul.

[moebow]

Very glad it is working out for you Paul!

As far as draw length, it very much depends on where you start.  Yes, if you were over drawing (using the arm muscles) and had an anchor back by or towards the ear, most likely you will realize a shorter draw length.

On the other hand, many self taught trad shooters have a "hunched over" style and learning to open the shoulders (line them up better) will most often increase their draw length.

This style really emphasizes bone on bone alignment and the bones when lined up are only so long and set a very consistent draw length.

So not out of the "ordinary" at all.  Just depends on where you started.  It is all relative.

Arne

[Diamond Paul]

Ok.  I think I was actually focused on back tension so much that I was rotating to the point where my elbow was out of line with the bow/string and had no more room to expand at all.  As a consequence, I could only creep, which probably explains the rough releases and the tendency to feel like my hand was plucking instead of just being moved out of the way.  At any rate, I'm pleased so far.

[Paul WA]

It probably hits that big belly of yours and comes to a stop.

[Diamond Paul]

Ha!  Good one!  I've lost weight lately, so I should be drawing longer!