A high string elbow is indicitive of what ?

[Gordy]

Been trying to look at my form a bit too and noticed that I *think* my string elbow is pretty high at anchor.  (I should try and video sometime)

If I float my anchor back so my forearm is inline with the arrow, I have to draw past my corner of the mouth anchor and end up at the back of my jaw bone. This gives me a draw over 30" (normally 29.5 on recurve)

Maybe it's my personal physiology ?  I do have long arms and torso, but I'd think my huge melon would offset that.  

I've seen videos where guys sort of shift their heads back to anchor...maybe my heads floatin around too much ?

Any thoughts ?  thanks

[McDave]

I've seen competition archers use a high elbow.  They shoot fairly low-poundage bows that are fairly long by hunting standards.  I think they're even coached to do that, but I can't tell you why.  The problem with a high elbow with a short, heavy-weight hunting bow is that your index finger gets smashed down on top of the arrow nock, which can hurt after a while, and can cause the arrow to bend down.  The arrow rebounding from this bend makes it difficult to tune, and hurts accuracy.

I don't understand what you mean by having to draw past the corner of your mouth if your forearm is in line with the arrow.  Why can't you just stop at your normal anchor?  Is it because your draw length is less that way?  I think your draw length should be determined by your form, and not vice-versa.

I think you should decide where you want your head to go when you shoot, such that your shooting eye is over the arrow, and it is a natural position that you can repeat for every shot.  For many people, that means keeping their head in a neutral position, but bending slightly from the waist so your shooting eye ends up over the arrow.  You should bring the arrow up to your anchor without moving your head to accomodate the arrow.  I think the key is to find a head position that works for you that you can repeat every single shot.

[Gordy]

Point being, if I stop at the corner of my mouth...deep anchor, pulling back on my lip, touchin a tooth, my string elbow is still up even at 29+".
If I keep drawing, dragging my middle finger past my lip to my back molar/jawbone, then I feel naturally in-line and also feel better back tension...smooth shot too. But it doesn't feel all that natural since there really isn't anything to anchor on back there  
 
Just thinking out loud. I'd bet some slow-motion video would tell what I'm doing or could do better.

thanks for the input

[McDave]

When I draw, my elbow starts low and rises to a position where it is in line with the arrow.  Apparently, when you draw, your elbow starts high, and moves down lower as you draw?  Have you tried starting your draw with your elbow in a low position?

[Shakes.602]

Thats like Everyone Telling You  NOT  to Bend Your Neck and Face to Meet the Arrow.    
      And  THAT  is  HOW  We Learn!!