Rotational draw, getting into those back muscles

[Sirius Black]

I've been practicing rotational draw for a while now, and it's been more shoulder-friendly for me (I hurt my drawing side rotator cuff 7 years ago). I can't quite get into my rhomboids from brace, but after the first few inches, yes. Is this normal? Is the draw supposed to be 100% back muscle? I do keep at least an 8" brace on the bow, this seems to help get into the back sooner than a shorter brace for me. Any thoughts?  Thanks!

[moebow]

Eric,

It can be done with all back but it's kind of hard to explain in writing.  Once you lift the bow to drawing position and IF you have your shoulders open to the target; you simply turn your shoulders from the waist up and you get half the draw for free AND that puts you in a position to complete the draw with back muscles.

In the NTS, that is called setting the barrel of the gun.  I show this in the "rubber band" video.  With this shoulder turn (to point them at the target) you get that "few inches" you talk about and really get it for free.  Initially, this will feel very much like a 2 part draw (and is as you learn) but it will soon become a seamless one piece move.

You CAN use your arms to get there, but that makes your transition to back muscles a little harder (certainly not impossible, just a little harder).

Arne

PS.  road trip??     :D

[Sirius Black]

Thanks Arne! Road trip is absolutely right. I want to get up to you soon. If you have a class forming soon, please tell me, or we can start one with me, and put it out a month or so, as to get more folks that can make it.

[moebow]

Have bow will travel.

I don't specifically hold group classes. Here at home, I generally do one on one.  If you'd like to coordinate a class there, we can certainly work it out.

Arne

[ChuckC]

Its probably not the right way, but I draw to the stop just below my anchor point,

in other words,

I hold my hands ( bow, an arrow hands ) just below my face and use only my back to draw the arrow back, until my shoulder blades stop it, then I put the anchor in the correct place.  I developed this in response to a life long bout with target panic (other handed)so I made an extremely different, step by step draw, anchor, hold and release cycle.

That part doesn't matter, but the draw seems to be easy, in direct line with my power centers, goes to a defined stop and allows me to hold, almost forever if I desire, without creeping.

Works well for me.
ChuckC