Bow Arm???

[wisconsinteacher]

Do you have any tips or training drills for me to work on so I don't drop my bow arm?  If I focus on keeping it up until the arrow hits the target, my groups shrink.  I want to get to a point where I don't have to think about it.

Thanks

[longstiks]

Like a rock! If you think it long enough it will become ingrained   .
Denny

[Cavscout9753]

When I do "form work" I like to repeat the steps in my head as I go through them on the shot, "spot, draw, anchor, release, hold". The arrow striking the target denotes the end of that shot (obviously, I know). Whatever steps you find note worthy or whatever wording you assign is up to you, but it works for me. Holding post-release was an issue for me as well (and still is after I get complacent), as well as proper anchor. I tend to "float" my anchor out about 1/4" from my lip if I don't focus on it. In my case things such as breathing, lining up the arrow tip, nocking an arrow, etc are implied tasks but if you want a longer process go for it.

[McDave]

As you are aiming the bow, you should be aware of the arrow shelf in your sight picture. If you keep it in the same relative position in your peripheral vision as the arrow is flying down range as it was when you were aiming the arrow, it will do a couple of things for you. First, it will force you to hold your aim until the arrow is released, and second, it will keep you from dropping your bow.

[DennyK]

Matt, your follow through is as important as drawing your bow, try pushing with your bow arm until you get the feel of it. Push/Pull and don't break your form until the arrow is in the spot you were "aiming" for. This always helped me.   Denny

[**DONOTDELETE**]

What i've always coached beginners to do that seems to help the follow through a lot is to guide the arrow to the target with your bow.....

Pretend there is a string attached to that arrow that you need to pull tight with your string hand against the top of your shoulder, and keep the string tight between your bow & string hand while you guide the arrow with your sight window.....

I don't really care for the "Push / Pull" explanation because it can encourage arm movement on your bow arm... That bow arm shouldn't be flexing at all...... Watch some video of Jimmy Blackmon. He's got great form.

here's a good one... That bow arm never moves.
 

[mcgroundstalker]

I like to think if you draw with your back, the "push-pull" becomes automatic and does steady your bow arm...        ...

[LongbowArchitect]

Holding my bow arm on-target after release cures 90% of my accuracy problems.

[LoneWolf73]

More practice, but I do not think it is a bad thing to have the thought process of waiting to move anything until the arrow hits the target.  Being mindful of your arrow hitting the target is good in target practice and hunting. So do not stress about "having" to think about it.  Besides that is only one thing to concentrate on, vice back tension, form, anchor point, grip, release. keep it simple.

[MnFn]

A problem I have to fight also.  Kirk's fix is similar to what I try to do. Concentration is a must, wandering mind= wandering arrow.

[eidsvolling]

Originally posted by mcgroundstalker:
I like to think if you draw with your back, the "push-pull" becomes automatic and does steady your bow arm...             ...

This. When you feel the appropriate back tension and things are lined up, it's time to release. The sequence requires conscious thought, unlike breathing to stay alive, but it does become ingrained through proper practice.

BTW, by "things are lined up" I mean the alignment of bowhand, string hand, elbow and shoulders. I'm not referring to any conscious sighting one way or the other and have no wish to stir the pot on that question.      :D

[Charlie Lamb]

Focus on release. As your release hand does so goes the bow hand.
Hold your release hand solid in your face on release and your bow hand will stay steady... as per John Schulz.

[Pine]

Make a frame with 2 x 4s that has a horizontal part about 18" . The height to be about 2" lower than your arm .
Drive nails put threw the board sticking out a bit .
Shoot with it under your for arm and you will break the habit of dropping your arm real fast .
This is not a joke , we had one in the archery range back in the mid 70s and it works great .
Interesting thing is , you probably won't poke your arm at all . The mental training starts on the first shot .

[Terry Green]

Proper Alignment....the 'Magic T'.

[mgf]

I'm with Terry and those who mentioned "back tension" (as illusive of a term as it can be).

Good alignment and "back tension" results in rigidity. The bow arm doesn't have a reason to move.

In the case of poor alignment/back tension, the bow arm (and other stuff) is forced to move by the "misaligned" forces at play during the shot.

IMO, trying to hold the arm still after the fact isn't the answer. The cause is earlier in the shot and that's what needs to be corrected.

[Jabar]

I agree mgf, as this is a hunting forum, I also like listen to and watch videos of those that actually kill a lot of stuff.  There's a lot of videos on this forum of a lot of hunters that kill stuff and shoot lights out with great form.

Also might want to check the 'Form Clock' thread at the top.  Lots of info there

[Bladepeek]

I'm way down the ladder in terms of being able to give good advice, but having just completed a Rod Jenkins class, I'd like to pass on what helped me in the class.

Rather than "follow through", Rod refers to it as "conclusion" - which is a signal to the subconscious that the shot is completed. It can be anything which takes longer than the time it takes the arrow to clear the bow and can no longer be influenced by the archer.

I like mgs's explanation above. If I set up the shot perfectly and the release is just caused by final expansion, nothing is going to change until the arrow is well on its way.

I like the feeling of my string finger tips tapping my shoulder, but that obviously wont work with a static release like some use. Kirk's word picture of steering the arrow to the target is easy for me to see too.

[mgf]

Originally posted by Bladepeek:
I'm way down the ladder in terms of being able to give good advice, but having just completed a Rod Jenkins class, I'd like to pass on what helped me in the class.

Rather than "follow through", Rod refers to it as "conclusion" - which is a signal to the subconscious that the shot is completed. It can be anything which takes longer than the time it takes the arrow to clear the bow and can no longer be influenced by the archer.

I like mgs's explanation above. If I set up the shot perfectly and the release is just caused by final expansion, nothing is going to change until the arrow is well on its way.

I like the feeling of my string finger tips tapping my shoulder, but that obviously wont work with a static release like some use. Kirk's word picture of steering the arrow to the target is easy for me to see too.

One way I've seen it explained is that "follow through" isn't something you do. It's the result of something you've already done.

[Terry Green]

"One way I've seen it explained is that "follow through" isn't something you do. It's the result of something you've already done."

YES !!!!

[moebow]

I just posted a new video (first one in several years) that MIGHT help with this.  See if it gives any ideas that may help.

 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMoebow1/videos

It is called "Bow hand and bow arm Part 1."

Arne