I just can't see how??

[Bowwild]

Kirk doesn't need me to interpret him but I think what he might have meant; if the archer modifies the waist up part of his form to do the things he talks about (stance, snap, and swing), one might shorten their draw length.

If one considers the archer as two parts, sort of like a camera tripod. If the top half maintains the archer's full draw (arm positions) then the draw length won't change if one varies his footing, releases immediately upon reaching anchor (snap), or moves both arms while coming to full draw.

However, it is difficult for many to do any of those things without impacting arm/shoulder positions.

[VA Elite]

I guess certain style grips could alter draw length as well? Depth of a grip, or thickness?

[Kyle Lancaster]

Could it be that the compound riser had over draw whereas most likely your trad bow doesn't?

[VA Elite]

It had a QAD rest which is sort of like an over draw...my arrows were only 26 inches!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by VA Elite:
I guess certain style grips could alter draw length as well? Depth of a grip, or thickness?

I suppose an extreme high wrist grip could extend your draw length a bit over a medium wrist angle, and even a bit more from a straight grip heeling down to a high wrist....


I think i better reword my last post a bit. Thanks Roy... You picked up my meaning, but i didn't word it very well..

This whole learning process we go though to establish consistency in archery takes a bit of time.... There are different philosophies out there on which technique or shooting style is most proficient.... But proper alignment is critical in all of them. Terry's Form clock is a perfect example....... Once you've had time to get your upper body alignment dialed in with a good solid anchor.... Your stance or feet placement doesn't make a bit of difference in draw length.

Shooting up or down hill from a tree bending at the waist.... or even on the ground in a crouch, or on your knees won't effect your draw length either if your alignment is good.


But.... it ain't easy to do just starting out. Most beginners will short draw with an open stance.  I've been shooting for a lot of years and I still catch myself short drawing when shooting areal targets, or moving targets....

[McDave]

Any of us, even those of us who have been shooting a long time, could change our draw length by an inch (+ or -) by changing our alignment, the extension of our bow arm, or the rotation of our string arm elbow.  The goal is to establish a repeatable draw length that will accurately put an arrow in the same spot time after time, which is different from the maximum draw length you could possibly achieve by stretching everything to the max.  OTOH, as you progress, you will probably find ways to extend a little more without sacrificing the accuracy of your shot.

As a beginning traditional archer, you should expect that your draw length will change over time, and not worry about it.

[Doc Nock]

This thread really got me thinking...

So much good information shared here.  I shot fingers on compounds for a long time... then slowly migrated to a release, which changed my arrow length if not my draw length.

When I came "back" to trad (was all there was when I started in my late teens) I found a solid anchor and it seemed to work for years...then all the fuss over "back tension" came about and I started working toward that...walla... draw "grew"(?)an inch!

I tend to get excited in the presence of game and "over-draw" a bit, then settle into my true anchor point...so I leave my arrows the way old timers suggested back in Neanderthal times of an INCH longer than draw so I don't slip a BH up over the shelf when I get jazzed and before I settle into my anchor...

Thing that seems to stick out here, is that you will likely NOT Have one draw length throughout your life... but change as you  modify and develop better form as you become more advanced.

Relax.  You'll need/want new arrows along the way so if your length changes, only your wallet will know!  

[VA Elite]

I leave my arrows at least 2 " past the riser!!