Pulling through the shot

woodsman 365 · January 24, 2010, 01:23:00 PM

I have been practicing pulling through the shot and getting a cleaner release as a result. When I do this its a lot harder to feel my anchor point. Its feels like I'm floating at my anchor point. My anchor is my thumb between the nail and first knuckel on the point of my jaw bone.

McDave · January 24, 2010, 02:32:00 PM

You should be aware that you need to "pull through the shot" whether there is any actual movement of your drawing hand or not. "Holding" at full draw is kind of a misnomer, since you have to pull just as hard to hold a shot at full draw as you did when you were drawing the bow. If you don't, your drawing hand will creep forward, your shoulder might sag, and your shot will collapse.

So if you don't feel like you're getting a good anchor, you can slow your draw way down, or even stop the actual movement of your drawing hand, and still be pulling through the shot.

s_mcflurry · January 24, 2010, 02:44:00 PM

'Pulling through the shot' means to draw, come to the reference point (anchor), and from this point continue an extra 1/4" before release. This last 1/4" or so was taught to me as 'expansion'. The idea is that the arrow never stops moving between setting up for the shot through release. Someone watching you shoot may not see that last movement during expansion, but you gotta at least feel it. Like McDave says, it makes sure that among other things your hand doesn't creep forward.

woodsman 365 · January 24, 2010, 02:57:00 PM

Thanks McDave; After reading a post about pulling through the shot a while back, I have been working on it. I'll try slowing it down as you said and see what happens.

woodsman 365 · January 24, 2010, 03:06:00 PM

I try to pause at my anchor for a couple seconds before release. Would the 1/4" expansion happen after the pause?

zetabow · January 24, 2010, 03:06:00 PM

Funny I just posted this on 'Before the shot' thread

When people say pull through it can be mistaken for the meaning of pulling through the shot with the fingers and 'Back tension' might be mistaken as holding weight with back muscles which can also be misleading as the shot process is always dynamic and never stops, if you just hold with back tension I've found it VERY hard to get Scapula moving again, it has to be a fluid and constant build of power and although you pause at anchor you never actually stop expanding.

The correct way is to draw to anchor maintaining 50/50 push/pull with the arms while expanding the scapula and at right moment relax the Flexor muscles in forearm which take the tension out of string fingers. Get it all just right with perfect timing you get a very sharp release with great followthrough.

s_mcflurry · January 24, 2010, 03:17:00 PM

A couple of seconds might be a little long believe it or not. The transition between the end of your draw and expansion is a split second. So, as soon as you hit your anchor, expansion begins. As you begin to use your back muscles and everything starts coming into alignment at this point, the arrow is going to move that 1/8" or 1/4" (it's a small movement) automatically. Your goal is to expand and come into correct alignment, not necessarily 'move that arrow that extra 1/4"'.

A good way to see what muscles should be used for expansion, hold your hand as if at anchor and have someone push on your elbow from behind. As you push back, the you're going to feel the muscle at the lower tip of your scapula activate. That's the one you want during expansion.

woodsman 365 · January 24, 2010, 03:59:00 PM

I think I understand what you are saying now. I will put this well explained info to good use. I can see that I have been doing it wrong. Thanks Gang...>>>RAY

30coupe · January 24, 2010, 06:26:00 PM

As Rod Jenkins stated on Masters of the Bare Bow III, the final movement is more of a pulling the elbow back than it is continuing to pull in a line with your hand. Once you have reached anchor, pulling the elbow back will NOT pull your hand out of alignment. When I am practicing on the blind bale, I consciously concentrate on pulling my elbow back. The only way you can do this is by using back muscles, which is what you want to do anyway.

If you don't have a copy of MBB III, it is the best investment you can make, IMHO.

xtrema312 · January 24, 2010, 07:49:00 PM

I get my anchor with my thumb knuckle behind the jaw and my head turned out a little. Then I expand the chest, pinch the shoulder blades and pull that elbow back. As I do this my head turns a little and my index finger, my second anchor under my cheek bone, is pulled tighter into my face by the string arm getting in line. When the index finger makes solid contact at my anchor the release happens, and I pull through with the index finger sliding back on the face. If I choose to slow it down or even hold at draw I stay with the thumb knuckle anchor and when I want to shoot I pull back until the second anchor hits and arrow away.

bshunter · January 24, 2010, 10:59:00 PM

CLICKER...best coach I ever had!! Rod Jenkins told me to use one as long as I needed it and to never stop pulling! He is so right! I test this all the time...I will cheat on the expansion, if I don't have a clicker...try one.

zetabow · January 25, 2010, 03:58:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by 30coupe:

If you don't have a copy of MBB III, it is the best investment you can make, IMHO.

The best investment you can make is getting a few sessions with a qualified Coach, MBB can tell you how to do it but a Coach can physically show you how to do it and how it feels.

I've been shooting top level international (Longbow) tourney for 10 years and last year my few days with a top Korean Coach helped me make some good form improvements.

January 25, 2010, 01:23:00 PM

where can i get masters of the barebow 3?

January 25, 2010, 01:37:00 PM

nevermind.......i found it

JF · February 06, 2010, 02:17:00 PM

Thanks for the info all.John

Earthdog · February 06, 2010, 09:09:00 PM

Zetabows,I think it's time for you to post a link to that Youtube footage you showed us a couple of weeks back again.
That was great stuff.

zetabow · February 10, 2010, 09:39:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Earthdog:
Zetabows,I think it's time for you to post a link to that Youtube footage you showed us a couple of weeks back again.
That was great stuff.

You mean this one with coach Kim?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG5LunZ3iUc