Draw arm too high?

[V-Archer]

Hi All,

I'm reasonable comfortable with my shooting style but when I look at other guys here in the shooting forum I see many of their drawing arms are lower so I'm wondering if my drawing arm is not too high? And if so, how to cure that?



(BTW, the picture was taken at a 3-d animal round last weekend)

V-Archer  

[Jaeger]

I've been told on occasion that my draw arm is too high. Every time I try to force my elbow down my groups open way up.
What you are looking for is bone alignment. You want to be doing as little work with your muscles as possible. Since we are all built a bit differently our forms will all be a bit different. It's hard to tell but it looks like you are rotating your elbow all the way back so that it's in line with the bow. If it works for you you're probably fine.

[Molson]

I don't think it's high.  Is it causing any problem?

[vermonster13]

With your elbow that high you're not getting as much out of your back tension or skeleton as possible. I do the same thing myself at times, especially if I'm tired.  Looks a little like you do it to bring the arrow up to your eye so you can keep your head straight. If you cocked your head towards your bow more you could lower your elbow and tighten up your form.

It would be a lot easier on your shoulder in the long run but if this is working for you and you're happy with your groups then so be it.

[BobCo 1965]

I think it is a personal thing. I believe Terry mentioned that 10:00 is about the limit though without running into trouble. Personally, I like to keep it more about 9:00 (more of a Schulz style). At 9:00 I feel I can get more back tension and pull more draw weight.

[Rod Jenkins]

V-archer....IMHO, your anchor is somewhat high and that makes obtaining back tension harder(but not impossible...BUT your draw side elbow is near perfect and could even go higher, as long as you can mantain a straight and relaxed draw side wrist....elbow is in excellant position to maximize back tension leverage.......now pull hard through release !

[longstick]

Im the same as Bob and if I get those back muscles into play I get better groups

[longstick]

Id listen to Rod...LTNS guy!

[V-Archer]

Thanks guys,

I'll give it a try and see what comes out. Could be a problem though as you know "it's difficult to learn an old dog new things".
BTW I have posted some pictures of the 3-d animal round in the Trad Events forum.

V-Archer

[Terry Green]

No, your elbow is not too high....but your bow arm is IMO.

I watched your video clip on another thread, and you draw the bow with PERFECT alignment, and then you raise your elbow and bow arm up to your face.....you make the perfect 'T'....then you raise into this posistion....

 

Most times when people do that...they end up like this in the blink of an eye....

 

I'd have to go back and look at that video and see if that's where you end up.

If your shooting is to your satisfaction, I wouldn't worry about it.....but if you think you need some improvement, the bow arm needs to come down.....but like Rod said, you have a high anchore, so your going to have to lower your head and 'get into' your shot like Vmonster said.

[Dsturgisjr]

We videoed IFAA World Champion and 3-Time NAA National Field Champion, Ty Pelfrey last summer for MBB2. He showed us some video of the world championships from the last several years.

Many of the winning archers, particularly the French I think, had higher elbows than what many of us consider good form. There was no denying that these folks could shoot though.

It was interesting that in other countries, the barebow shooters were the most popular and respected of all the classes. Here in the US, it seems the barebow classes get the least amount of attention.

With Rod's guidance, I've been experimenting with slightly raising my draw elbow to see if it will result in more consistancy. It is fun trying to find that elusive perfect form.

[V-Archer]

Ok guys,

Here are some pics taken last wednesday. I have tried to take all previous comments into account with this form. I maintained a somewhat lower anchor point.

V-Archer    



As seen from the top a bit.



and from behind

[Stagmitis]

Bingo V Archer!

The key is the lower anchor which allows the elbow and shoulder to come further engaging the back and offering that "In-line" relationship!

Man that looks good!!!!!

[Stagmitis]

oops...thats come 'BACK' further!