Good basic Form

[willyqbc]

Here is a puicture to depict the basics of good form. These are not hard and fast rules as everyone is slightly different, but this will get you some basics for strong steady form.



Important points

1. Body is straight up and down...no leaning
2. head is centered between the shoulders, with the eye basically above the belt buckle (vertical red line)
3. End of String/arrow nock is below the eye...this means the draw length is correct
4. Draw elbow is above the nock and should generally create a line from the point of the elbow through the nock to the throat of the grip (diagonal red line)
5. Draw arm is parrallel to the arrow (dotted yellow line)
6. Front shoulder is slightly lower than the rear shoulder and the front shoulder is the same height as the arrow shelf or bow hand ( blue line)

Chris

[Mr. Dean]

While I'm not a bow person; I can see how this could be good info for such a type of person.

Good on you for taking the time to compile the info

[Bow Walker]

As Chris has said, which is very true - everyone is slightly different, but this will get you some basics for strong steady form.

There are a lot of little things that all go together to make a strong and steady platform from which to shoot an arrow. Below is an excerpt from an acknowledged expert who is talking about Shooting Form coupled with Draw Length:

The best form, and the best bow draw length setting must be customized for each shooter. The best form and the best draw length setting are the combination of bow settings, and d-loop length, and release neck length, and body position when at full draw, and holding steady technique, and grip angle (factory or custom) that results in you shooting your best scores.


So, your real question, is what changes can you make to your shooting technique, and what bow adjustments can you make to improve your average scores.


Find that magic combination of:
· bow adjustments (cam timing, draw length setting)
· magic ratio of holding weight to total bow weight

• grip angle (factory or custom grip or shoot off the riser)
• d-loop length (this is one way to customize the fit of your bow)
• bow draw length setting (adjust the bow draw length setting to get the nock on your preferred facial anchor touch point)
  
  

(NOTE: you adjust the bow draw length setting to get the nock on the right spot for you on your face, while standing up straight, with your weight balance the same on both feet)


(NOTE: you adjust the d-loop length to change the ratio of muscle involvement between your release arm and your back. It is impossible to pull through a shot with 100% of your back muscles. It will always be a ratio of both muscles. Adjust the d-loop length to load more of your back muscles, and less of your release arm muscles. Experiment to find out what works best for you).


Find the best foot position for you and your bow and your release and your d-loop length. For a target shooter, foot position is critical. If you place your feet in an open stance, you will fit a slightly shorter draw length setting on your bow. If you place your feet in a neutral stance, you will fit a slightly longer draw length setting on your bow. Just like golf. Your foot position will change your shot.


Grip angle plays a big factor in how steady you can hold.
Also take a look at your holding weight ratio to total bow weight (mass).
Also take a look at bow balance (experiment with a slight negative bias).
courtesy of nuts&bolts

Another pic to illustrate proper form;


Note a few things from the above two photos.....
1. The body form is proper - the stance(s) are correct with proper alignment of hips, shoulders, and head.
2. The draw length is perfect - for that particular shooter - as the string end or the arrow nock is right below the eye.
3. Bow arm is slightly flexed. Release forearm is parallel.
4. Over all stance/form looks to be relaxed and they not straining to hold that stance.

[todbartell]

Here is a puicture to depict the basics of good form.

wow Chris, you've lost some weight