I have a high draw-arm elbow that I don't ever notice until I film myself (between 10 and 11 o'clock). I read on the Form Clock thread that an elbow between 9 and 10 o'clock is the most effecient. Are there shooters out there who are good who also have a high elbow, say above 10 o'clock? should I worry about this issue or just go with it?
almost forgot.......thanks for your help.
Tav, Hard to say without seeing. Can you post the video?
I'd guess that your high elbow is due to lack of back tension and using your biceps to draw the bow in an upward motion. Eleven o'clock is pretty high (nearly straight up), and you won't have very good forearm/wrist alignment with the arrow. Your force draw line will be way high. If you draw a straight line from the center of pressure in your bow hand to the nock of the arrow then extend it back, that is where you will want your drawing elbow.
Nothing is cast in stone. If you are shooting well don't worry about it. If you are not or your getting ring finger pain,make the necessary changes. There is a fella I shot 3D with last year and he has a very high elbow but what a shot he is and gets great flight out of the bow. :archer:
Maybe it's more like 10 o'clock or very slightly higher.
10 o'clock plus or minus a little is OK depending how your alignment is. Don't try to get too critical.
Yep...nothing is cast in stone...but once you get above 10 you CAN have issues...and may even be robbing yourself of body/equipment performance.
One of the problems with a high elbow is getting a clean release. The string will have the most pressure on your ring finger. Bill
Recently I noticed my elbow was getting high, and that my ringfinger was getting very sore (the tip was bruising).
I realized I started gripping the string with just the tip of the ringfinger, while the 2 other fingers had a deep grip.
Once I realized that, I made a conscious effort to have a deep hook with all three fingers, and feel the pressure of the string mostly on the middle finger. My elbow came back down and my groups retightened. Make sure you do have a deep grip with all three.
Marco
I have never filmed myself but I have glanced in the mirror. I get my best release when it feels as if my elbow is high. Although the mirror tells me its in line. If it aint broke, dont fix it :thumbsup:
When I practice my draw I place all four fingers on the string. The fourth just barely touches the string, but it allows me to feel as though I am drawing the bow with my whole hand. Remember this is what it feels like. I still am basically drawing the bow with 3 fingers. I then allow the pressure on my pinky and ring finger to become less as I reach full anchor. It makes for a very clean release almost a surprise when the arrow leaves. Note, when I do start my draw I place my middle finger on the string first. It is just a feel thing for me. The reason I said all of that was it makes everything feel even and my elbow moves straight to the rear. Good luck!
I might have it fixed guys. Thanks. I just needed to feel what a lower elbow was like in my back muscles. Now trying to grove it into memory. A deeper hook helped also. So use of a thera-band, form master, video camera, your suggestions and my 9-year old daughter watching helped me get it right. Thanks again.