G.Fred and advice on stance.

[Wallydog]

Mr. Asbell gave a good seminar at Kalamazoo on Saturday. One of his major points was stance and that being quite a bit more forward facing than perpendicular. His well taken point was that it eliminates a lot of head position (at anchor) errors thereby reducing left and right dispersion of shots. I was also impressed with his ideas on shooting fletchings that are highly visible so as to ingrain the arrow flight whilst learning to shoot by purely pointing rather than aiming. Food for thought.

[Alexander Traditional]

The forward stance is a good point. I found this out by accident,but have been doing it with good success. I find it easier to get a good release like this also,and like you say it is more consistent.

[Wallydog]

He said that even the Olympic archers are doing more forward stances in training. His well taken point was that tree stand shooting at game is more forward due to being cramped some in the stand and game being at all angles to the shooter. Im going do some basement shooting today and well see. It does shorten your draw length some but Id say not a lot.

[fling]

That's good to hear because I shoot with a forward stance it just feels more natural and solid.

[archer66]

Do you find that your draw length is a touch shorter as you move more forward with your stance??  Or is that a silly thought?

[the rifleman]

I've been a little confused about this type of stance---does that mean more open?  Looking at the form clock I have been using a closed stance pointing with my right shoulder directly at the target(I shoot lefty).  If I opened my stance my right shoulder would be pointing to the right of the target and the elbow, string hand, bow shoulder alignment would be off.  Not sure how this is done---but really interested in your input.

[drewsbow]

there is no magic bullet and everyone is a little  different in shape and form . I don't believe in preaching a one size fits all type of form solution .
 I like the form clock terry Green has pinned here and this fits my style though it may not fit others . just my  2 cents worth

[Wallydog]

By my understanding Mr. Asbell is a strong voice for not aiming at all. Hes pointing his bow hand and learning how to make that as repeatable as possible.He said that since were not all identical there will be variances on his method of pointing and firing. He says he does not look at the arrow when drawing and takes pains to shoot by pointing instead. By what he says I don't think he aims at all other than pointing his hand towards the bulls-eye and super concentrating on a spot. I am no advocate here. I just find his ideas fascinating to put it mildly.

[Terry Green]

I like reading Fed's stuff.....including his stalking book.  That info could be useful on your  'go to' backyard shot trying to nail down your perfect shot......

My take is form is from the waist up....and stance doesn't matter....nor should your draw length change in different positions.

I demonstrated this and different can't angles and even reverse can't in the Bowhunters of Tradgang DVD.

[ron w]

I agree Terry, really comes into play in hunting situations, who knows if you will be able to get a "correct" stance in the split second that it all comes together.

[Wallydog]

Yeah Terry I think Fred's main reason for the stance was so shooting form via the head was more repeatable. He said it was what he taught at his schools. I like the thought of the purely non aiming shot and training to do just that.

[Wudstix]

I read G. Fred's book early on and found that was how I stood to shoot.  With a lean towards the target, and three point reference for my anchor.

[tracker12]

I'm with Terry in the fact that it is all from the waist up.  But for me I had trouble getting the shoulder alignment in the right position with an open stance.

[njloco]

I have to be with Drew and Terry on this as that is how I have always shot with pretty good success. I am sure though that there are instances when hunting and shoothing 3D’s, things aren't going to be perfect, so one should try and do some practicing with less than perfect form.

[nineworlds9]

I agree with the poster who said these techniques need to be adapted to each shooter, which is exactly right in my experience thus far.  I have read dozens of pretty vitriolic debates on the subject over on AT where the field archery guys and the hunting guys go at each others throats and I just laugh.  There is no 'one style fits all'...its just like bows.  

'Form' aside I have found that actually getting your shot sequence down and having a consistent follow through on your release are critical.  If you can establish your timing and keep that release clean and follow the shot completely to its conclusion you stand a good chance of being rewarded for your efforts, whether stance is standing, kneeling, sitting, open, closed, etc.

[maineac]

I am on the upper body alignment and consistent anchor and extension being the key train.  What you do with your feet should not affect the shot.  I have worked with the G Fred open stance and it does help with bow arm clearance, but changes my draw length unless I focus.  For me the key is to practice with a variety of foot positions, kneeling and sitting, and variety of angles, not just off my bow shoulder.  Turkeys and deer never seem to show up where I expect them too.

[Roger Norris]

I have talked with Fred many times about the open stance. It's good to remember that Fred is talking about a HUNTING shot.We rarely align our treestand or ground blinds with our bow shoulder pointing toward the expected shot area (although I suppose some guys do) We are usually FACING our target area.

It also helps clear any bulky clothing from the string.

For ME.....it takes a lot of variable out of my head position.  

It does shorten my draw length a touch, but not so much that it changes anything.

[Kris]

I love G. Fred but I do NOT use his open stance and find it very unnatural and unergonomic. I fully understand and appreciate its application in the field.  I love pulling my bow across and through my shoulders, my power stroke...aligning everything along the way.  Squaring to this, to me, seems counterintuitive.  Agree with "from the hips up" but oddly do not have that flexibility and prefer to match my stance with my torso.

     

 

"We rarely align our treestand or ground blinds with our bow shoulder pointing toward the expected shot area (although I suppose some guys do) We are usually FACING our target area. "

I ALWAYS orientate my stands with my left bow shoulder (R handed) towards the area of greatest shot probability, otherwise I stand-up for off-side shots.  I call this my "power side".  

Kris

[overbo]

Most people are converting from shooting a compound w/ a release aid. IMO, this is the biggest hurtle to overcome w/ the switch. Release style of shooting advocates a stance that allows the archer to lean back at fulldraw, a huge problem when shooting w/ fingers. Opening your stance can help a lot to rid of the leaning back problems.

[tracker12]

For me shoulder alignment is the most critical piece in the shot sequence to get right.  I have found that no matter what my stance or bow cant if the shoulders point towards the target and I get the bone on bone position Arne preaches so much my shot go where there are intended. When stumping I practice all kinds of body positions while trying to maintain a consistent upper body position.   Then I just have to hope that in a hunting situation my muscle memory will take over and keep me right.