Not Getting To Full Draw

[4est trekker]

I've got a couple of kids in the traditional archery club I lead at the high school where I teach that are not getting to full draw/anchor point when they have an arrow on the string.  They can do so like champs when they don't have an arrow nocked up, but they release 1-2" before their anchor (which in this instance they really don't have) when drawing an arrow.  Their form and alignment in really great, except they let fly too soon.  Any thoughts on how to correct this?  They're shooting wooden self bows, so I hesitate to do much holding at full draw.  Thanks, all!

[zetabow]

Seems like too much focus is on the aiming if they have no problems getting to anchor without an arrow knocked, get them up close and do some blank bale work with them, take their focus off aiming till they can get their form ingrained a little better.

[BobCo 1965]

Also consider theraband training.

I don't advise having them drawing without an arrow.

Any reason they can not get up close to the target to do their holding excerises without shooting an arrow.

I had a kid once who had the same problem and 30 second holds (while staying on target) completely cured it.

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Certified USA Archery Basic Instructor

[freefeet]

When i can't get up to the range i exersize with my bow in my bedroom, drawing, holding and letting down.  I put an arrow on and have a mirror on a shelf to my right so i can see the end of the arrow at full draw to ensure i'm coming to full drawer and not cheating.  I also have a mirror in front to check my shoulder alignment, etc..

[4est trekker]

Thanks, all!  

BobCo: I usually refrain from having anyone draw without an arrow, but these are pretty special kids.  They've got a lot of "bow smarts" and have seen what happens when a wooden bow blows.  I think that holding for a time will really help, especially if they can help coach each other.    

Again, thanks!

[Earl Jeff]

clickers the best training tool you can have

[lpcjon2]

Howard Hill describes the way he draws in his book Hitten em like Howard. You draw as you bring up the bow and the last 4-6" inches is pulled straight back to the anchor point (which for him was the corner of the mouth)this is what I use and also teach my kids 6,8,14yo it works well for them .The upward movement of the bow and the drawing at the same time makes it easier  to come to full draw(my opinion).Try it and good luck.

[4est trekker]

You know, putting what lpcjon2 and zetabow said together makes sense.  I think they're so focused on keeping the arrow lined up (i.e. aiming) during the draw that they short draw.  Thanks, everyone!

[Terry Green]

If they had a double anchor ingrained it would help also.

[reddogge]

The last year or so I've been working with my grandkids on shooting and all of them want to shortdraw the bow initially.  My grandaughter was the latest to start last weekend. All of them started drawing a bow with a very low right elbow which caused the short draw syndrome.

What I did was to make them pretend to hold an imaginary bow and draw with a HIGHER elbow so at full draw and anchor everything is in line, bow arm, drawing forearm.  I go behind them and tell them to hold that pose and to pinch my finger with their shoulder blades and told them that's the feeling they want to have at full draw.  Then I let them shoot as I tell them to complete the draw.  It seems to work.

[Big Ed]

I know when working with kids alot of them seem to be string shy. Another words they just can't seem to understand that the string is not going to sting their face. I usually try to get them to watch me or watch another child with the correct form.Ed

[marshall brown]

If all else fails, try a clicker. It's amazing how they can cure this problem.

[Earl Jeff]

clicker