i seem to always drop my left hand upon arrow release, the hand that holds my bow. and it's not a slight drop, it's really bad. no matter how hard i "push, push, push" when shooting to try to keep that hand extended and bow up, i still drop. i need major help please. how do i train myself to keep that arm up to have a good follow through? what do i neeed to do? i heard this is going to affect my accuracy on long range shots significantly, so please help me get this resolved! thanks.
the "push push push" is whats dropping it! you need to pull pull pull while you push. for the follow through, youll have to make yourself do it for a couple of shots. try touching your shoulder with the string hand after release. it will feel weird at first but keep at it. try to hit anchor and squeeze your shoulder blades together. this will create back tension and will help with your follow through and will also keep the bow hand up. its alot to try at once but if you keep at it for a few days, it will feel more and more natural!
What you need to do is film yourself shooting, and post it here. That way folks can see what's really causing it instead of assuming and guessing causing more confusion.
When I felt I was having follow through problems, I would shoot at long ranges, 40 -50 yds and concentrate on freezing after I release until the arra hit the target. Not concerned with accuracy just follow through
Terry is giving you some very good advice.
It's kind of like the old joke, "Doctor, it hurts when I do this". "Well, don't do that"...
Not yet having seen a video of you shooting, I can give a general suggestion to shoot from up close while concentrating totally on follow through. If your hand drops, simply pull it back up so you are on the target. After enough reps, this will become automatic.
At least for me, the smoother my release and release hand follow through (my hand pulls straight back and my thumb ends up on top of my shoulder), the less bow hand movement I have...
Whump Sez: Are you struggling with your bow--sometimes if you are over bowed you start many bad habits and arm dropping is one of them. However when you are at full draw pause for a second or two and think about holding a baseball between your shoulder blades--then just like Dorthy in the wizard of oz repeat: form and follow through--form and follow through--think about pointing at the target with your bow arm after you release---just like you are willing the arrow to the target spot. But if you are over bowed you need to correct that first. Hunt safe.
When I first started shooting. I quickly developed that same habit. As soon as the arrow was released I would drop my bow arm and reach for another arrow as quick as I could. I got yelled at a lot!!. I ended up shooting with a dead release to keep my right hand from going for the quiver as soon as my fingers cleared the string. I also would keep my bow hand on target till the arrow hit.
Try to just keep your bow hand on target till the arrow hits. It worked for me. ( along with a few swift kicks to the seat of the pants area )
Hey Scooter, I grew up in Mankato, graduated in 76'. That's why I live in ND!!!
Strange thing recently happened. I randomly tried 3 finger under release compared to my 2 under, 1 over, and my shooting has increased 10x fold, no joke. my accuracy is so much better for me this way and my arm stays up for a good follow through. i don't know how such a slight change could really make sure a huge difference but it was. just like that, one simple change, and im shooting so much better!!