Newbie - tab issue

[tradhunterRN]

Hey Gang! New to the forum here and this is my first post; I have been reading quite a lot on here in the past week though and your insights and stories have been EXTREMELY helpful!

I have lots of questions but I will start with the one this post was about.
I switched from a glove to a tab because I couldn't even fit my fingers in the glove far enough to make it useful and wanted to give a tab a try. I am now using a black widow split finger tab. I shoot split fingered and noticed today (this is my first try with the tab) that I am getting a ton of pressure on the bottom of my index finger when at full draw. This is to the point that I get a major dimple in my finger and it is pretty uncomfortable. Is this an indication that I am using that finger more than I should for the draw?

A little about me: I started shooting traditional after only shooting a compound a few times in the fall and hating it. I have been shooting a Samick Sage 3 piece recurve: 50# @ 28. Have been shooting since February or so but almost every day for the past couple of weeks. Love my traditional tackle!!!

[wooddamon1]

I don't use a tab, but welcome!  

[oldgoat]

Someone will get on here that

[oldgoat]

Someone will get on here that knows a lot more than me, but one post said that the sore ring finger was caused by high shoulder on drawing arm.I had the same thing and that helped a bunch. I shot 3 under with a tab. Welcome and good luck.

[moebow]

It is common to allow the string as you come to full draw to let the string push your finger down onto the arrow.  This is also a common cause of the arrow falling off the shelf.

Try, when you first hook the string to set your index finger about 1/8th inch above the nock (just not quite touching it) and try to resist letting the string push your finger down.  Many find that a "spacer" on the tab helps hold the finger off the nock.  I do not know how long your Sage is but this is made worse with shorter bows.

Also, if you can, have someone check your elbow height at full draw.  Getting you string elbow too high can also do this.  If you are just starting it may be both.

[cyred4d]

I agree that a high elbow may be causing this. If you are just starting you may be drawing with your arm muscles, try drawing with your back muscles.

[tradhunterRN]

You guys are awesome! didn't expect so many answers so quickly       . I am dying to string the bow up and get back out there right now but I have to get some stuff done before the wife gets home    :(

[tradhunterRN]

Decided to give something a try so I went and drew my imaginary bow from muscle memory then looked at the mirror next to me. My elbow is up at a pretty steep angle, you guys are good   . Should my string arm be completely flat as in parallel to the ground then?

[maineac]

Elbow should carry the line of the arrow if possible.  Check out the shooters form forum.  Tons of info there on form.  Also check out Moebow's videos on youtube.  Very informative!

[moebow]

If you draw a line back from the arrow your elbow on the horizontal (left and right looking from the back) should be inline or slightly inside the arrow line.  In the vertical plane, your elbow should be just slightly higher than that arrow line.  Like the bottom of your elbow is resting on the line.

Have you been over on the "Shooter's Form forum?"  I have some videos that you can access there on a thread called "Release tips".  Once you are on me Youtube page look for a video called "Shooting a Hill bow using the BEST system.  That will show some pictures of the alignments you are asking about.  Also over there look for Terry Greens "Form clock on the top of the page and do a search for RangerB (Jimmy Blackmon's) videos.

That should give you lots of video to help you out.

[moebow]

PS,  There is another of my links on the Shooters forum called "Rotational draw" that will get you to all my videos too.  It's currently right toward the top.

[tradhunterRN]

Thanks all; this is a lot of good info to consider. Spending some time in the form forum now; thanks for pointing me that way!

[GMASIUK]

It sounds like your elbow is too high. You may want to switch to three under. I shot split for thirty years and switched to three under five years ago. Due to the same sore spot that you are experencing. If you are a new shooter it should be an easy transition.

[tradhunterRN]

Thanks GMASIUK; I have actually been playing around with both. I was shooting split because that's how I wanted to shoot. Then I shot 3 under one day and noticed a significant improvement in consistency that really shocked me. Guess it just came more naturally that way??? Anyhow I am a pretty crummy shot either way still but at least with 3 under I have been more CONSISTENTLY crummy lol. Was just trying the split shooting again today cus I am stubborn  :D