Form work with a shot trainer. Please critique!

[longbow fanatic 1]

[longbow fanatic 1]

This format should be easier to view.


http://vid774.photobucket.com/albums/yy25/longbowfanatic_1234/Mobile%20Uploads/217B223D-7C3E-4164-B16F-C3AC50987514_zpscxsiprou.mp4

http://vid774.photobucket.com/albums/yy25/longbowfanatic_1234/Mobile%20Uploads/BB097BAD-A676-488D-8FA7-84C07E56D488_zpsvrn2be7p.mp4

http://vid774.photobucket.com/albums/yy25/longbowfanatic_1234/Mobile%20Uploads/8FBC06DF-6DB2-4449-8114-91B8348F13E3_zpsamy7iinm.mp4

http://vid774.photobucket.com/albums/yy25/longbowfanatic_1234/Mobile%20Uploads/E4895419-D972-450A-ABD7-0EF4B3328C66_zpsmlz1zh7v.mp4

[moebow]

Dennis,

That looks pretty good -- good hold and no effect to the arm during the release and good alignment.  The ONLY real critique I'd make:  Watch your string shoulder during the draw and then at the end of the draw as you set anchor.  See how it moves back early in the draw then stops as your elbow comes around to set anchor?

As your elbow comes around, your shoulder ideally will continue to move back too and not stop.  What it appears to me is that you are drawing well early on with a combination of the posterior deltoid AND the shoulder (scapula). Then as you get to full draw/anchor and are moving in the "J" with your elbow your shoulder stops moving back and the entire "J" is performed with the posterior deltoid and upper triceps.

Don't think I'm saying that well -- if it doesn't "compute" for you, let me know and I'll try again.

Arne

[longbow fanatic 1]

I'm not sure I understand. When I draw, I pull to my anchor point then pause. Once I reach anchor, I begin pulling with my rhomboids. Are you saying it should be more of a fluid transition between pulling to anchor and pulling to conclusion?

[longbow fanatic 1]

I think it may have clicked in what you're saying. I do, I think, pull to anchor mostly with my shoulder/scapula muscles. Once I hit anchor though, I pull through the shot using my rhomboid muscle. Is that what you meant?

[moebow]

Yes, pretty much.  You have an excellent shot with the "trainer."  I'm just trying to say, at release, your shoulder blade on the back should TRY to move still more prominently back -- stick out still more.

However!!  your body structure and musculature MAY be masking that a little.  As I say, you look to have a very good shot, does it transfer to a shot without the trainer?.  If so, I'd say your "good to go!!"

When I get to anchor, it feels as though I'm leaning against a wall with my back.  As I expand and release, I just "lean on the wall harder."  That is just a concept that seems to work for me.  My string side shoulder blade (as far down as possible) presses harder and harder against the wall.

Arne

[longbow fanatic 1]

Ok. I totally understand your point now. I will concentrate on continuing my rearward pull even more through the shot trainer. Yes, my shot sequence is the same with the shot trainer as it is during my regular shot sequence. I've been blank bale shooting, however, when I can't get to the archery range, I use the shot trainer to augment my training. Thank you so much for your help!

[moebow]

Rod Jenkins would tell you, "You can't shoot the shot too strongly."  Explode through the release (with your back) -- trust!

Arne

[longbow fanatic 1]

Originally posted by moebow:
Rod Jenkins would tell you, "You can't shoot the shot too strongly."  Explode through the release (with your back) -- trust!

Arne

Well said, sir!!!

[McDave]

Arne,

When you say "lean on the wall harder," the vision that comes to my mind is trying to lean back, maybe by bending back at the waist to press my back against the wall, which I'm pretty sure is not what you mean.  Would another way to describe what you mean be to feel my scapula moving more toward my backbone at the end of the draw, so it sticks out like in the pictures you see of some archers bare backs at full draw?  (Usually young fit ones, not old fat ones like me ;-).  I'd like to understand this better.

BTW, nice bow, Dennis!

[moebow]

Dave,

As I draw, it FEELS (in my back) like I am starting to lean against a wall, not actually leaning back, just the feel.  The pressure builds during the draw until at full draw my string side shoulder blade sticks out - like the pictures you mention - but to me the feel is similar to placing my back against a wall.

Then at/during the release, it feels like I am going to push myself off the wall using ONLY the shoulder blade.  A one shoulder blade "push away" if you will.

To illustrate farther, actually place your back on a wall -- lean on the wall just a little, press your string shoulder back against the wall then try to "pop" yourself off the wall with the shoulder blade.  That is the "FEEL" I sense when I have it all going well.

SO... "Would another way to describe what you mean be to feel my scapula moving more toward my backbone at the end of the draw, so it sticks out like in the pictures you see of some archers bare backs at full draw?"  YES.  

My wall description is an attempt to describe that movement and feel.

That help?

Arne

[longbow fanatic 1]

Love the bow, Dave! Thx!