The best shooting style for YOU

[Ron LaClair]

What is the best proper form for shooting a bow?.....answer, the style that works best for YOU.
Many good shooters when they release, their hand comes back and touches the shoulder. This is a good style but like any style of shooting it must be performed consistently to result in consistent shooting.
 
Over the years I've tried just about every style of shooting that came down the pike. The style that I stayed with and works the best for me is the "Dead Release" Howard Hill described it as "both hands do nothing".
 
Many years ago I watched a man named Jim Pickering shoot at the International Indoor Open in Detroit Michigan. Jim shot with the Dead Release style while nearly every one else was shooting what was called back then, "Power Archery". The Power Archery style was an explosive release with the hand flying back along the shoulder.

I watched as Jim shot arrow after arrow. When he released nothing moved except the limbs of the bow. His release hand stayed on his face, his head never moved and his bow hand also remained stationary with a loose grip on the bow.
Back then this was almost an unorthodox style for a serious target shooter but on that day Jim Pickering beat everyone there.
So what is the best proper form for shooting a bow?....the form/style that works best for you.

[Ron LaClair]

A shooting problem that a lot of people do without realizing is lifting their head to watch the arrow fly. It's called "peeking" The problem with peeking is that sometimes the head is lifted just before the release which causes the shot to be pushed or pulled off target.

Look at my head after the shot in line with the trees in the background, nose in relation to the dirt pile. Hand against the face, bow arm extended, loose grip on the bow letting it do it's reaction after the shot

[McDave]

The first time I saw you shoot was in Masters of the Bare Bow vol. 1.  I liked the way you shot then, and after several detours in other directions, that's the way I try to shoot now, or at least as close as I can manage.

[Bisch]

I’ve always said that there is no right or wrong in archery. Only consistent and inconsistent. If you can do it with consistency, you are probably pretty good!!!

Bisch

[BWallace10327]

Thanks for sharing this advice Ron.   

[TradBrewSC]

Controversial topic Ron, but like it!

As you said though I think it is personal preference and simply what works best for you as an individual.

I too have tried so many different styles/tactics and bow types..

I wanted to love Hill style shooting and ASL's at one point but at this point just dont think its for me..

I tried getting into ILF's, string walking, just all around high tech trad shooting and it wasn't for me either.. I was just thinking way too much into things.

I just enjoy shooting all sorts of recurves and DR longbows, and love a beautiful wood bow!

My shooting style has evolved or changed over the years for sure, but still consider myself to shoot "instinctive." I know instinctive is a controversial topic, but regardless of arrow length I pick a spot and shoot, whether or not I am subconsciously referencing the point who knows, but broad heads, FP's or blunts don't seem to effect me.

I shot split finger for nearly 15 years and it worked for me! A few years ago I tried 3 under and haven't looked back... It put the arrow closer to my eye and allowed my "instinctive" style shooting to perform better at a little longer range as I could "sense" the trajectory better if that makes any sense??

Owen Jeffery taught me how to shoot starting as a child.. He made me the hunter I am today, and really made things simple. He himself was one of the best shots I have ever seen! He shot split and "instinctive.." He didn't emphasize follow through to the shoulder or anything like that but just taught me how to shoot a bow like I was shooting a slingshot and I killed a lot of critters! He taught me to not pluck the string, which in my opinion this the most important beginning lesson to any archer.

However, over the last few years I have really been paying attention to PUSH podcasts, Tom Clum Sr., Joel Turner, etc. and what a difference it has made for myself. No I don't necessarily think there is one right way to shoot a bow, but dang if their style of instruction didn't work to make me a better more consistent archer! I'm not a clicker shooter, but use the feather to nose as my "trigger." Not everyone is like me but in my mind keeping a low bow arm and expanding with your back on the draw arm (ie. Followthrough) just works, and made my groups tighten 3 times.

[Gator1]

Ron

Thanks for posting very interesting topic.

[Ron LaClair]

Catlin, it sounds like you're making good progress in your quest for better shooting. It's a lifelong journey that never ends. Unfortunately for me time to discover a method that makes me a better shot has ran out. At 83 years of age I'm content and happy to still be able to shoot and hunt with my traditional bows. 

[Ron LaClair]

 Proper form is sometimes misinterpreted to mean a "classic" style. In my years of competitive field and target archery I witnessed many top shooters successfully competing at the top of their class using an unorthodox (non classic) style of shooting.

One person in particular that comes to mind is Jim Caspers. When Jim reached his anchor he would pump his drawing arm up and down. I always assumed it was his way of pumping up back tension Jim had found the "proper form" that worked for HIM.

Instead of trying to totally emulate another's style, experiment to try and find what might improve your shooting. When you find it you will have found the proper form for YOU

Jim Caspers in the 60's

[Terry Green]

I'm not sure why someone would start off their post "controversial".... That almost sounds like they're baiting for controversy when there is none there to start with.

 I have never understood how some people can't except how other people shoot..... And I'm talking about the ones that are dam good at it!!!

 I would like to thank Ron for giving me the missing link in my repertoire back in the day...... This missing link was the final thing I needed to put it all together.(Ron  Probably doesn't even remember)... From there I went on a tear.... And I'm still on one.....

Many thanks Ron!!!!

 Fair warning ...this thread will be moved to the Shooters Forum shortly as that's where it belongs.....

[TradBrewSC]

Catlin, it sounds like you're making good progress in your quest for better shooting. It's a lifelong journey that never ends. Unfortunately for me time to discover a method that makes me a better shot has ran out. At 83 years of age I'm content and happy to still be able to shoot and hunt with my traditional bows.

Thank you Sir!

That is the thing about shooting a stick bow, the learning curve never ends! Once you think you have one thing figured out, something else pops up!

Regardless Mr. LaClair, you are truly an inspiration and we are all indebted to you for what you have done for the sport! You have been an innovator that has shaped us to where we are today. You sure look good for 83 years young and just pray that I am able to do the same! I by no means was trying to put down anything about your style of shooting, but was simply meaning to state my personal evolution and to where I currently am.

 

[limbshaker]

I’ve always said that there is no right or wrong in archery. Only consistent and inconsistent. If you can do it with consistency, you are probably pretty good!!!

Bisch

Best way I've heard it put. I've always felt the same. 

[TradBrewSC]

I'm not sure why someone would start off their post "controversial".... That almost sounds like they're baiting for controversy when there is none there to start with.

 I have never understood how some people can't except how other people shoot..... And I'm talking about the ones that are dam good at it!!!

 I would like to thank Ron for giving me the missing link in my repertoire back in the day...... This missing link was the final thing I needed to put it all together.(Ron  Probably doesn't even remember)... From there I went on a tear.... And I'm still on one.....

Many thanks Ron!!!!

 Fair warning ...this thread will be moved to the Shooters Forum shortly as that's where it belongs.....

Terry, I did not mean "controversial" with any negative connotation. I was just pointing out that with such a broad/open ended subject that there was going to be many different "biased" responses. Form and shooting style has always inthralled me especially since it seems that most peoples is constantly changing or evolving to some degree.

I by no means was trying to start any "controversy." 

[Terry Green]

Thanks for the clarification....shooting threads 'elsewhere' get so out of hand for nothing....just wanted to make sure it didn't happen here. 

[Chumster]

"Instead of trying to totally emulate another's style, experiment to try and find what might improve your shooting. When you find it you will have found the proper form for YOU

I could not agree more Mr. Ron,

[GCook]

I’ve always said that there is no right or wrong in archery. Only consistent and inconsistent. If you can do it with consistency, you are probably pretty good!!!

Bisch

Wisdom.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[pavan]

For some people, depending on time spent, available practice times, or because simply person skills, have limitations.  It hurt a little bit, but i mounted my last three pin bow sight on a recurve that I had in possession for a time the other day.  This fellow will be better off shooting static with an aiming aid for now.  Have see it before, add a bow sight and it adds the confidence to shoot with complete form, take the sight away and bit by bit the form breaks apart.