I am new to the traditional game . I have noticed that as I draw I can feel alot of stress or tension around my neck in my shoulders. Is this normal or due to poor form?

Hi

each time I practice

I warm up by stretching exercises or light weight

exercises my back and arms.

It help me a lot

you may be trying to pull too much poundage. Get a good book on instinctive shooting like the Asbell books. Learn to relax and let your back muscles do the work. Also weight training, light ones, directed at your back, shoulders and bow arm will help a great deal. Many folks new to trad gear try to draw weights close to their compound weights and that usually is too much.Also start your practive at a very close distance, 5 yards. It helps take the pressure or stress away from making bad shots.      Good luck

yeah..i agree..i was pulling 70# with my compound and now shoot a 42# longbow.... i think the lower weight bow is good to start out with so you can learn proper form....then build up to a heavier bow..... imo ...a bow over 50# isnt really necessary for deer and smaller critters...

When you draw, hook the string in a good deep hook and think about drawing with your elbow. Obviously you can't draw with your elbow but that puts the right emphasis on the right muscles...Hope this helps. DAVE

Big'n-Any time I feel more tension than usual or my shooting and or arrow flight becomes erratic, I check those exact two issues and 98 percent of the time the problem goes away almost instantly. Felt good to see those cues from another source.                     Grant