Bending at the waist

[Jock Whisky]

For shooting uphill or downhill the standard wisdom is to bend at the waist to maintain proper alignment and the "T" formation with the shoulders. Up to now I've found this not to work too well for me. It's the right idea but it always felt awkward and uncomfortable for some reason and I would lose focus on my back tension. Tonight I had an idea that seemed to work quite well for me. Instead of bending at the waist I bent at the hips. If I was shooting uphill or at longer distances I'd move my hips out to the left (I'm right handed). If I was shooting downhill I'd move them to the right. It resulted in the sa,me effect as bending my waist.  It allowed me to elevate or lower the bow, keep alignment, keep the focus on my back tension and I shot a lot better.

It worked for me. If you were having the same issue I was it might work for you.

[fnshtr]

My experience as well. I have a fairly steep bank in the back yard that I routinely shoot up at leaves and tufts of grass. When I retrieve my arrows I shoot them back down the bank. Moving the hips rather than bending at the waist works for me too!
 

[McDave]

Jock, I think you have actually described the correct method of maintaining the magic T.  I think”bending at the waist” is just sloppy language.  Moving your hips towards or away from the target depending on the uphill or downhill angle enables you to keep your center of gravity over your feet.  Simply bending at the waist without counterbalancing with the hips would throw you out of balance.  I’m as guilty of saying bend at the waist as anyone else, and I’ll try to be more precise in the future.

[moebow]

Yes, whatever you have to do to maintain the "T".  Point the "T" crossbar at the target, legs, knees hips, waist it all counts IF you maintain the"T".

Arne