Anchor to your ear?

[hockey7]

Drawing to your ear is nothing new. I draw as I was taught, to my ear lobe. It increases some people's draw length by a couple inches. Button's don't fly either. Check out you-tube videos by Rick Welch. He teaches this method, and he's not too bad of a shot.

[Sam McMichael]

I started out drawing this was as a kid but changed over because everybody told me it was "wrong". It worked just fine.

[McDave]

Originally posted by hockey7:
Drawing to your ear is nothing new. I draw as I was taught, to my ear lobe. It increases some people's draw length by a couple inches. Button's don't fly either. Check out you-tube videos by Rick Welch. He teaches this method, and he's not too bad of a shot.

Good point, depending on what is meant by "drawing to the earlobe."  I also use Rick's method, where one of his anchors is his thumb knuckle on his earlobe.  I don't consider this to be "drawing to the earlobe," because the nock of the arrow is still considerably in front of the earlobe, using Rick's anchor.  Certainly there isn't a 3" difference between Rick's anchor and a more conventional one. But if what the original poster meant was drawing until his thumb knuckle touches his earlobe, then I would encourage him to do that, as it is still possible for the arrow shaft to be under the dominant eye.  But I don't think he will gain much draw length that way.  Maybe a half inch from the new anchor and another half inch from shooting with a more upright posture.

[huntin_sparty]

I changed to ear that last year and loved it initally.  The v between thumb and pointer finger to jawbone, thumb knuckle behind ear, middle finger to back lower tooth and tip of nose to back of fletch.  Loved it in warm weather with no head gear on but when it got in the 20s here I had issue finding that anchor.  I should have known and practiced with the cold gear on that was my only issue with going to the ear.

[alex321]

Originally posted by McDave:

Good point, depending on what is meant by "drawing to the earlobe."  I also use Rick's method, where one of his anchors is his thumb knuckle on his earlobe.  I don't consider this to be "drawing to the earlobe," because the nock of the arrow is still considerably in front of the earlobe, using Rick's anchor.  Certainly there isn't a 3" difference between Rick's anchor and a more conventional one. But if what the original poster meant was drawing until his thumb knuckle touches his earlobe, then I would encourage him to do that, as it is still possible for the arrow shaft to be under the dominant eye.  But I don't think he will gain much draw length that way.  Maybe a half inch from the new anchor and another half inch from shooting with a more upright posture. [/b]

Sorry for my lack of clarity.  I meant drawing the nock to the ear.  I do not find this physically restrictive, as i thought I would.  I have not shot yet, but simply practiced drawing whilst using an arrow. Maybe shooting will highlight any problems.

If using the standard Mediterranean draw is a pproblem i was considering a thumb draw, as the Mongolians used.  What do you think?

Cheers
Alex

[2bird]

Using a simple and repeatable anchor point that premotes a clean release is your best bet. I really think it would be easier and more efficient to learn the extra few inches of drop on the long shots then to change to anchor that isn't as easy to reperduce. If your looking for a flatter trajectory for target try a lighter arrow...

Interesting discussion.  I would suggest that your draw length is.... well..... your draw length.  

There's a place that is perfect for every archer, and that's where you need to shoot.  I've seen some guys short draw, and I've seen some guys over extend and draw too far; neither of which is optimal--you think?

Seems to me the easiest way to gain more performance with your draw length is to get a bow that exhibits a high degree of preload.

[damascusdave]

I think you really need a good archery coach to watch what you are attempting...it is hard for me to believe you can maintain good back tension and reasonable overall form drawing that long...without those ingredients all sorts of issues can creep in

DDave

[mike g]

Is your Bow built to your poundage @ your draw length....
   Everyone is built different body wise. I tried the string to forehead, not for me....
   If you can draw to your ear and shoot accurately, then I say do it....

[Scott Barr]

I started anchoring with knuckle closest to the base of my thumb to my ear lobe based on Rick Welche's training DVD.  Did not do it for more draw length, just shot this way better.  Absolutely no problem with string touching my chest.  Try either chanting your bow or more likely open your stance up.  No problem with getting arrow under my eye either. Don't look at the first few inches of arrow under my eye anyway.  Mostly aware of arrow at the point.  This does not change whether anchoring at corner of mouth or at ear lobe.  Another advantage to anchor at ear for me is that I more naturally use back muscles with an extended and lower draw.

[jonsimoneau]

After changing my anchor point a few times over the last 15 years all I can say is that you MUST go with what is most comfortable.  At least if you are a hunting archer.  The problem with complicated or unnatural feeling anchor points is that you fall apart when the big buck is closing in on your position at a rapid pace.  I have used Rick Welch's anchor points for about 8 years now.  Works well for me.  But for some the anchor is too complicated in a hunting situation.  I think a good way to find your best anchor point is to set your stance and then set your head! When you draw you should be able to pull the bow to your head.  If you have to move your head at all to get to anchor, you are going to have problems.  Once you get your head where it needs to be...make sure your anchor point allows you to bring the string to your head without moving it.  Whatever feels most natural is probably best as far as anchor points are concerned and draw length should not matter.  Just my opinion.

[halfseminole]

As a thumb draw user, that's not a choice made lightly.  Expect to give up the shelf, since you'd shoot from the other side of the bow due to the torque imparted.  I draw a solid 38" to the earlobe with thumb, and it is a comfortable, natural draw due to Marfan syndrome.  If you really wanted to relearn how to shoot I could set you on your way with a thumb draw, but those three inches aren't going to be magic, as others have said.  A bow built to your draw would be better, in my opinion.