Video of me shooting my Dorado, any suggestions?

[Onlyaspike]

Ive been shooting my 45# Hoyt Dorado recurve now for about 5 months, so I still have a bunch to learn. I figured I might as well video myself taking a couple shots and let the pro's give me a hand....any suggestions? Thanks.
 
Here's the side view...
 

[Terry Green]

How long are your arrows?....and what is your draw length?

[Onlyaspike]

My draw length is 28"....my arrows are GT Trads cut to 29 1/4"....total arrow wt of 431gr w/ 145gr fieldtips, and Im using a NAP Flipper rest if it matters....I sometimes think I should be drawing back farther and anchoring a little deeper. Ive tried it and my accuracy/consistancy suffers a little, what do you think?

[moebow]

You are looking pretty good to me in these shots.  Decent shooting too.  The only thing I would point out from what I can see here is your string hand thumb sticking straight up.  Play with your hand a little and notice how much tension the straight up thumb adds to your hand.  A suggestion would be to try to get the thumb down and in front of your palm in a more relaxed position.  This will help with a more relaxed release.  If you've read any of my other posts, I'm BIG on relaxing everything not needed for the shot.  FWIW.

[njloco]

I couldn't really tell how much of a down hill shot it was, but the video showed you standing pretty much straight up. Depending on how steep a shot would be, you want to get into the habit of bending at the waist rather than lower your bow arm.  

Good shooting !

[Onlyaspike]

Originally posted by moebow:
You are looking pretty good to me in these shots.  Decent shooting too.  The only thing I would point out from what I can see here is your string hand thumb sticking straight up.  Play with your hand a little and notice how much tension the straight up thumb adds to your hand.  A suggestion would be to try to get the thumb down and in front of your palm in a more relaxed position.  This will help with a more relaxed release.  If you've read any of my other posts, I'm BIG on relaxing everything not needed for the shot.  FWIW.

When I started shooting trad, I use to keep my thumb down inside ( kinda in toward my palm) but it seemed like I was Forcing it in there and was very awkward feeling so I tried pointing it up and it felt kinda comfortable. I use my thumb kinda as a reference....I keep my hair real short and I can feel my thumb hit my hair line stubble and use it as a reference to keep my draw consistant (lol)....I kinda feel like Im not drawing deep enough though, but when I draw back farther my consistancy suffers ??

[StephenG]

SHOW-OFF! I wish my 20yd groups were that consistant.

[Dan Adair]

I'd say for a guy 5 months into it, you're right where you should be.

The fundamentals are there for sure.

Moebow brings up a good point.  You might also try letting that root knuckle of your thumb drag just a little along your cheek bone on your way to anchor, then you won't be back here later trying to cure a "pluck"  The thumb knuckle trick was what I had to do years ago to remind myself to keep my string hand flat and relaxed, and keep things all running North and South.

[Mo0se]

I think you may be short drawing a little based on the alignment of drawing arm at full draw. Looks like you could go back another inch or so.  You've found a combination that works for you, but you asked for input.

[Terry Green]

WAY TO MANY ABSOLUTES BEING POSTED ABOUT HERE...

Check out where Fred Bears THUMB IS!!!

   

[sdpeb1]

I have to respectfully disagree with Terry. I havn't been here at tradgang for a while and I read Terry's post on absolutes and wondered what bad habits had crept into the post's here. So I went through a half dozen threads and really didn't notice anything out of line. Then I read this one and I see things like "play with your hand" and "suggestion",I see encouragemet"fundamentals are there". Then Terry posts up "WAY TO MANNY ABSOLUTES HERE". I just don't see it. I can see if there is someone really being a jerk and saying something that his way is the best but all I have seen especially in this thread is archers helping archers. Terry if you read this please let us know exactly where the absolutes are in this thread.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by sdpeb1:
I just don't see it.  

Originally posted by sdpeb1:
I havn't been here at tradgang for a while  

I think the 2nd quote shows why you don't see it.  Its not just me, I get contacted about absolutes all the time, its just not me that's noticing or seeing them all without me being contacted.  

No problem if you disagree.....but that doesn't erase the fact that its happening.  Its your right to disagree with a fact if you like.

There's a lot of folks here that are here regularity, and have been for years,....and they are a bit protective if you know what I mean. This didn't start this week, with just the latest threads....its been going on for a while and I was hoping it would drift away.  I just felt like I needed to post what I posted....and I don't have any regrets.

I have already received emails this AM since posting this....'Its about time somebody said something' is basically what I've received this morning from a few.  And again, it was also meant to stop it from getting worse.....and also again, I was not singling out any one person at all.

[david_lewis93]

Only thing I see that MAY help is to lower your right elbow to where it is on a more level plane with your arrow and shoulder,your release and follow through look good.
Ole Dave

[Terry Green]

I think your elbow still needs to come back...close to getting to 5 oclock...and you need to get closer to 6.

[Javi]

Absolutes are the reason I don't usually get involved in the Internet coaching I see on forums like this, absolutes are also the reason I resigned from the NAA/US Archery as a coach... I refuse to believe that every archer should be cut from the same mold. That may be fine when taking kids and training them from birth to be automatons but it usually won't work with adults who have formed bad habits and aren't nearly as supple in mind or body.

A coach should build on the strengths and work to correct the weakness of their students not mold them into their idea of the perfect archer... The end result should reflect the students goals not the coach's.

[Mic W]

Your form looks great.

If it feels comfortable/ natural and your draw and release is smooth, you are doing fine.

[Onlyaspike]

Originally posted by Javi:
Absolutes are the reason I don't usually get involved in the Internet coaching I see on forums like this, absolutes are also the reason I resigned from the NAA/US Archery as a coach... I refuse to believe that every archer should be cut from the same mold. That may be fine when taking kids and training them from birth to be automatons but it usually won't work with adults who have formed bad habits and aren't nearly as supple in mind or body.
Mike,
A coach should build on the strengths and work to correct the weakness of their students not mold them into their idea of the perfect archer... The end result should reflect the students goals not the coach's.

I really wish you lived in NE Ohio or I lived in Texas.....Im having a GREAT TIME learning and shooting with the recurve. I would like to eventually really hunker down and get some instruction and/or have someone "coach" me...but most importantly I want to keep having FUN. I thought about maybe trying to attend one of Rod Jenkins or Rick Welch's 3 day shooter classes if they come somewhere close....

Hey! I just watched your videos and you make me sick. You're asking for advice?  Gee Whiz!  I've been shooting these darn things for 50 years and I can't shoot like that--wish I could. I'm think'n you should be handing out the advice.  :^)

Congratulations.... you seem to be doing fine.

btw... I can't give Rod Jenkins enough kudo's.  He can isolate any problems you may have and give you a regimen to overcome them.  If you get the chance, be sure to attend one of his clinics.  I'm sure you would find it helpful.