Body lean

[bowmaster12]

I have no idea why i do this but with the stick bow it just feels natrual to lean forward when shooting.  I even find myself doing it if im pretendkng to draw and dont even have a bow in my hand.  I dont do this with a training wheel bow.  Should i just go with what feels natrual and to work on consistency or would i be better off to fight the urge to lean and work on solid shooting form then take that into more hunting style shots?

[Hawk2]

If it works for you and are consistent why change?? Hawk2

[Sam McMichael]

Lots of people lean as they draw. Hill did also.

[McDave]

If you want to work on your hunting shot, maybe the best thing would be to work on shooting from a variety of different positions: leaning, straight, sitting, squatting, kneeling, etc., so you’ll be comfortable shooting from whatever position you end up in.  People who learned to shoot standing straight up probably should learn to shoot leaning forward, because one never knows what position will be required for a hunting shot.

[Silent footed]

If you are practicing on a block resting on the ground,  it will be quite natural to lean. However if you are practicing on a target at breast height and are leaning, it will add unnecessary breaks in your form  particularly at your bow shoulder,  and straightening up your torso would then improve your effective shooting range by tightening your groups at longer yardage shots.

Also, if using a heavy bow, you do risk an injury to your front shoulder that would have been prevented otherwise.

I only lean forwards when shooting downwards, by bending at the waist which keeps my shoulder in the best position as if I were shooting across flat ground at breast height. I only lean backwards, similarly,  when shooting up, and for the same reason. Likewise, I only twist my waist, when I am unable to move my feet, such as in a hunting situation when I am unable to do so because of crunchy leaves.

In short, it is always better to bend at the waist or twist, than it is to move your bow arm out of form.

Similarly,  if you are leaning when it is not necessary, it is forcing your bow arm and shoulder out of form,  and your accuracy, range, (and possibly even the life of your shoulder) would immediately improve after a weekend spent correcting the habit.

-Silent

[PrimitivePete]

One issue I have with the lean is how it is executed. I see either archers start with a lean and draw into in or lean as they draw. My concern with the lean when drawing is if I'm shooting instinctive, as I am drawing and leaning I am changing the sight picture dramatically vs not leaning and drawing to my anchor keeps the sight picture consistent when I shoot instinctive and allows me uninterrupted focus on the target. I would assume if you start the draw with the lean already established the you are at least being consistent with your target acquisition.

[Part Time Archer]

Cant or lean is over thought ,so is target panic, just shoot regularly and you'll get it.

[Wilderlife]

I tend to learn forward (towards the target) more when I start getting tired and I'm shooting my heavier bows. The lean almost seems like a way my body compensates from getting tired and it's almost like pushing the bow forward to get it to open up.

It's not hard to correct and being new to trad archery I just put the bows down when I get tired and pick up something lighter. I don't feel like the lean is a huge problem. Lots of people comment on social media about needing to stand up straight but I've never been able to stand up straight in a hunting situation so I make efforts to go through my shot process in a variety of awkward positions anyway.

[blacktailbob]

X2 what McDave said