Form with Trad archery

[The-Talon]

Hey everyone, so as some of you may know and others probably no idea. I sustained a pretty serious shoulder injury setback with archery. Still awaiting ultrasound results and my shoulder actually feels like it's starting to feel slightly better as I can lift it a couple inches higher then I could yesterday. The reason for this post is I want to know how many of you here at Trad Gang are very form conscious and do you keep practicing this form when deer hunting, rabbit hunting, squirrel hunting and even stumping and shooting moving targets. I don't entirely know if my shoulder injury was due to bad form or just over use of my shoulder and not taking enough of a break.. Will bad form cause this type of injury or is it more about maintaining consistency with your shot?

And on that note does anyone have any good tips with form if they do practice it or any helpful websites or videos? Thanks and shoot true!

[macbow]

Lots of form info on TG's Shooting forum.
Check it out. Probably the best place for these questions

Practicing good form is very important. Once learned it will be there in all types of shooting. Well maybe not fast and furious bowfishing.

[moebow]

Talon,

Here is a coach's answer, others may disagree.

Bad form is more likely to to allow injury to happen but that's not a absolute!  There is a lot of misunderstanding (IMO) about what "form" is and is not.  But again, from a coach's viewpoint, getting to good position for the shot and doing it efficiently should never change regardless of the "game" being played.

I see getting to proper position for a hunting shot is exactly the same as getting there on a target range.  I like Terry Green's statement that your form doesn't change but your style might.  But out hunting, being able to get to your full draw position should be just like the animal being in a "shooting position"  If your circumstances don't allow a well executed shot then probably the shot should be passed until you can.

As far as videos,  you can take a look at mine:
 http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMoebow1

And do a search for Jimmy Blackmon's (Ranger B)videos.

They might help.

Arne

[mahantango]

You can't go wrong following Arne or Jimmy Blackmon's advice. Also check out Terry Green's form clock.

[tracker12]

I have had four shoulder surguires so I have a little experience on the matter.  The bottom line is that an injury occures when you put to much pressure/strain on a muscle than what it is in condition to handle.  Bad form may cause that but it can also occur during good form.  Most of my problems were the result of overdeveloping the front suppoting shoulder muscsles and underdeveloping the rear shoulder muscles.  I am currently should pain free and still shooting daily at 60+ years of age.  After the surguries I had a trainier help me lay out a good exercise program that hit all muscle groups and balanced everything out.  No more porblems.  No easy answer to what your problem is but if you are continuely straining something has to give.

[roncc]

tracker12:  Can you give us an idea of what a good exercise program looks like?  thanks!