tips for keeping my bow arm steady

[shortstroke 91]

I'm having some real problems lately keeping my bow arm steady. My shots are drifting left (right handed shooter) and I'm killing myself trying to figure this one out. Back tension feels good and my release is fine but my left arm is drifting so my shots are hitting left, not low just left.

Any help would be appreciated...

[McDave]

What your bow hand does on release is a mirror of what your string hand does. You shouldn't try to control your bow hand; just observe it. If it's going to the left on release, it's because your string hand is pulling to the right, probably because you're not bringing your string elbow all the way around into alignment with the arrow.

[AllenR]

Experiment with closing up your stance a little.

[zetabow]

Make sure you're not raising up or dipping bow shoulder in when drawing, taking front shoulder out of alignment like this will case left/right issues.

Also try keeping a nice 50/50 push/pull balance between front and rear whilst at anchor.

[Jock Whisky]

Don't forget to push with your bow hand. Push (positive pressure) the bow, don't let it push you

JW

[cbCrow]

I've found that usually when this happens the bow arm is in the locked position. Do you keep a little bend in you elbow, it acts like a shock absorber and helps to prevent this from happening. You will get some movement in that arm but will have little effect on the arrow if done properly. Zetabow was right on with his 50/50 balance.

[TSP]

"Don't forget to push with your bow hand. Push (positive pressure) the bow, don't let it push you"        JW

X2

[doowop]

Slightly bend bow arm and put forward pressure on the handle.

[zetabow]

Not really good to put a bend in elbow but you can turn back of the elbow outwards this gives a natural bend but you still have that solid bone on bone contact, if you're using mostly muscle to hold the bow you will have consitency problems.

[AKmud]

Remember your grip position.  Bow hand knuckles should be at almost a 45* from the bow and the meat of your thumb pushing the grip.  This will automatically rotate your elbow away from the string path and help keep your bow back in line.

[skilonbw]

I agree with JW x3. That is what has worked for me.

[njloco]

Look up Moebow's answer on a post about gripping the bow, it helped me a lot. I can now go from bow to bow and make very good shots with each, there are slight variations on the grip from each bow they are all very similar.

[notdodger]

Never quit pulling. When you get very close to anchor just slow way down. If you stop pulling it takes more energy to start again.


Rob B.

[mmilinovich]

Shortstroke91:

A moving bow arm, as you've recognized, is potentially a BIG problem.

For me, holding the bow arm steady is as simple as remembering to do it.

Consequently, the LAST thought in my shooting sequence is to keep the bow arm steady.

Mark

[Terry Green]

If you are properly aligned....with all your energy going directly toward and away from the target....your bow arm will be steady.

[LongStick64]

Sounds like you have a lot of arm tension. You need to influence the bow as little as possible and that can only be done with the majority of the tension in your back and you arms more relaxed. There is no way to incorporate back tension in your shot if you are holding the bow at full draw with your arms, too much tension there takes away your ability to squeeze the back.

[Terry Green]

Video and post it here.

[shortstroke 91]

I think I figured it out. I 'm almost sure I've been overdrawing a little. My wife checked my draw length and it was 29.5" I've been shooting 29" for some time. After making sure to hit my anchor solid @ 29" my problems went away and my arrows are back on their mark.

Thanks guys for all the help...

[arrow flynn]

if your allighnment is rt and you are pushing towards the target as terry outlined then if it still dont work i would reccomend some strenght training