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My Shooting Style
The following is my humble opinion of things that work for me. This may not work for
you but I think it might. I've collected different styles from many archers and applied
them to myself. Some archers/coaches I admire and try to emulate various parts of their
style are: Don Rabska, Rick McKinney, Ed Eliason, Frank Gandy, Al Henderson, Alexander
Kirolov, Darrel Pace, just to name a few.
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Head Position
This was, and sometimes still is, a problem with me. I guess it was left
over from my barebow shooting days where I would lean my head out and at an angle. Try to
balance your head squarely on your neck so there is not any extra tension in the neck
muscles. Turn the head enough to have a clear view of the target so your not straining to
see it. If the string is on the side of the nose it should be turned enough so the string
clears. If like me, the string touches the tip of the nose, the head should be tilted up
enough so your not pushing your nose into the string.
Anchor
I shoot a cavilier tab with no ledge. The top of the metal plate on the
tab is firmly up against my jaw bone. Close you teeth, that may sound like common sense
but if your not conscience of it it will cause up and down arrows. The string is on the
tip of my nose then it rolls to the right of the cartiledge so its slightly off center.
The string then comes down the side of my mouth.
Bow Hand
I shoot with my bottom 3 fingers curled on the bow handle so they're not
around the grip. I use a finger sling on my thumb and pointer finger. My knuckles are at a
45 degree angle to the bow. I have to feel the bow "pop" the sling upon release
as to not impart any torque on the bow, if I don't feel that, it will result in left or
right arrows.
Bow Arm
Absolutely one of the most important part of the shot sequence. I do not
subscribe to the explosive, fly-away bow arm theory. Many archers do and do it well. I
believe the bow arm should be rock steady with only very minimal, if any, movement. I
concentrate on slight pushing forward of the bow towards the target and keeping it on
target till my shot sequence is complete.
Finger Tension
I start by placing the tab all the way against the metal on my cavalier
tab. I then curl the fingers so the middle finger has the string above the first joint and
in the joint on the other 2 fingers.While drawing the string will slide into the joint on
the middle finger and just below on the other 2. I get a distinctive callus above the
middle finger joint which makes me think its pinching that skin while the string is in the
joint. Should you have trouble with your clicker and shot rythm, check your finger
tension, in others words dont let them uncurl while anchored.
Release Hand
Along with the bow arm, the most important part of the shot sequence. The
back of the hand should be relaxed and straight at the knuckles. Don't try to flip your
fingers out of the way, you can't do it. Release will simply be a relaxation of the bow
hand the same as a baby drops something in his hand when his focus is on something else.
Movement should be directly back in line with the pull of the string. Any side movement
will be greatly multiplied left and right at the target. Final hand position will be
directly behind the head. If you forget, put it there anyway till it becomes subconscious.
Release Arm
At full draw there is NO tension in the forearm or bicep. Huh you
say? When the Koreans were tested for muscle tension they only used 5% on bicep on drawing
and 0% on forearm and bicep at anchor. It can be done but is very hard to learn. Only the
back muscles pull through the clicker. Have a friend feel your forearm and bicep at anchor
then try to relax them with him telling you if you do. Think of the elbow as the pivot
point at the end of a fulcrum. The forearm is just a rod with pivot points at the elbow
and wrist while the scapula muscle move the fulcrum back. Your elbow should be in line
with the arrow or only slightly above it. Dont have your elbow too high or this will
create excessive finger angle at the string.
Back Tension
Boy, how often do your hear about this?! This is critical with 0% tension
in the release arm. (see release arm). The scapulas should be envioned as moving together
to get throught the clicker. The biggest thing I can say is never relax. Once the drawing
procces starts never relax. Freddie Troncosso asked the Koreans there sequence and they
said they continuously kept movement. When they were observed though there was an ever so
slight pause when brought to anchor but then movement never stopped. When you relax or
fully stop youll start to shake and your entire rythym will be thrown off. Think of a
weight lifter bench pressing his limit. If his forward movement continues he is relativly
smooth but one pause and he shakes, hes screwed. As long as movement continues your aiming
will be steadier and youll develope a better rythym.
Aiming
We all know we are supposed to let the sight ring (I use a ring with no pin) float on
the 10 ring while we execute the shot but I garuntee Jay Barrs floating movement is a lot
less than the typical archer. Yes, I let it float but I lock in alot better if I've been
practicing alot. I'm more physically able to keep the movement to a minimum and that means
more accuracy. Don't try to force the movement to a minimum, this will only come with lots
of practice and will come naturally the more practice you do. I keep both eyes upon while
drawing to aquire the target then close my left eye while anchored. I align the string
with the left edge of the sight ring, I think most other people use the right side but
this works for me. I focus on the target and let the ring blur, I think Ed Eliason does
the opposite.
Shoulder
All I do here is keep the left shoulder low. When I have trouble getting through the
clicker I check I'm not letting my shoulder rise. The elbow is rotated so when bent, it
bends parallel to the ground.
Breathing
Deep inhale when drawing then slow exhale as I pull
through the clicker and aim.
Stance
I use about a 5 degree open stance to the target at the most. Since I dont do the swing
away bow arm there is no reason for me to use the power stance.
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Email me at: toxoph@ embarqmail.com (remove space)
Web site and contents created by Tim W, AVX Inc.
Copyright © 1998 Tim W, AVX Inc., All rights reserved.
Revised:June 05, 2008.
