What am I doing wrong, bow arm goes left after shot?

[fjasso]

Hi, just starting to shoot a recurve bow (30 years shooting a compound) and I am noticing that some times my bow arm goes left after shooting. I am a right hand shooter so after I shoot, my left arm goes to the left. What am I doing wrong? what do you suggest me to do to avoid this?

Thanks

FJ

[Flatshooter]

Are you using the push/pull method? a weak left arm and a pluck could be a factor. Another consideration may involve you're trying to see the flight of the arrow (peaking) at release that is, subconsciously moving the bow arm to the left to pick up the arrow. A solid anchor and good follow through should help to avoid the problem. The fact that you are just starting to shoot traditional may cause the uncertainty and lack of confidence you rarely experienced as a long time compound shooter. Get  a traditional shooter to spot you so he can help you with the problem before it becomes a bad habit! I'm no expert but I've been at this for a long time. Hope this helps.

[fjasso]

Thank you,

I am trying to do the push / pull method. My followthrough with the string hand is not good, right hand stays in its place, it makes me think I am not generating enough backtension but I think my left hand and my grip is correct. Is it posible that the problem is in the string hand? I am thinking that my release might be a little bit "away" from my face so it is causing a reaction to the opposite way with my left hand. can that be posible?

Thanks again

[moebow]

fjasso,

It is really hard to tell without seeing what you are doing.  As you are learning, the dynamics of a traditional bow are quite different from a C bow.  There are so many possible reasons for your problem.

If you haven't seen these videos, you might take a look at them for some ideas to try.

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMoebow1

Also look on You Tube for Jimmy Blackmon's videos.

Then if you post some videos of you shooting, we might be able to help more.

Arne

[Flatshooter]

yup, that's what I mean by a pluck.. Your right hand (string hand) could also be pulling away from your face. Try to get a buddy to watch you and tell you what he is seeing. Better still, if you could video yourself and post here there are plenty of guys who could help you. Good luck and continue to work at it, that's part of the fun of traditional shooting.

[fjasso]

Thanks moebow!

I´ve been watching al of your videos and they have helped me a lot. I tried the rotational draw but for some reason it it "twist" my bow wrist and it generates a little bit of extra torque. I will try to post a video and some pictures.

Thanks again

F.J

[DennyK]

F.J The key to the whole rotational draw method is to be COMPLETELY relaxed before and through the draw. Prior to drawing the bow the only teasion you should have is in your drawing fingers or "deep hook". Use only the muscle/tendons you need to draw the bow. Keep watching Arne's videos, you will see something new every time.

[moebow]

fjasso,

IF you are getting "twist" in your bow hand wrist, you are holding the bow too tightly.  You need to ALLOW the bow to turn in your hand, NOT turn YOUR hand.  

Arne

[fjasso]

See if this works

[fjasso]

[fjasso]

Does it all starts on the position and form?

I will try to post a video

Thanks again

[fjasso]

[fjasso]

In the video you can see how my release hand goes down after the release and there is no followthrough. Wow! videos really shows you the real thing.

[moebow]

Ya, videos don't lie do they?

I really don't see much movement to the left of the bow hand at release.  I DO think you are "pushing" your bow shoulder out too much. (hyper extending) The bow shoulder should be relaxed, DOWN, and still -- not pushed out.  I am not a fan of the "push/pull" system (NOT saying it's wrong, just that I am not a fan of it!) and I believe that that MIGHT be a cause of your feeling of instability there.  

In the "push/pull" system, you are opening the bow with the bow hand and the string hand at the same time in a linear fashion, BUT that doesn't (or shouldn't) involve a forward push (movement) with the shoulder.

Also, note the bow hand catch you are doing.  Fingers closing to catch the bow as you release.  Relax those fingers to the back of the bow before you ever start to draw AND LEAVE THEM THERE.  The bow will already be caught and with NO movement.

Regardless of how you draw, (rotational or push/pull) do not pull past your anchor references and then sink forward to anchor.  That will disconnect you from your back and you end up with the string hand flipping out -- just like yours does.

Try to stand straight, then draw DIRECTLY to your anchor (don't have ANY string hand movement forward!!!!)and don't move your head to "go get the string."  Your lack of follow through is simply loss of your back by the forward movement.

See if that helps any.

Arne

[fjasso]

Thankyou very much for your feedback moebow! Yes, Ive been practicing for a while my close hand grip with relaxed fingers. I will post new videos to see if its better.

FJ

[fjasso]

[fjasso]

[fjasso]

[fjasso]

So now I am trying a straighter position, I feel much more relax and that I am doing a smoother draw and release. It helps a lot specially in my bow shoulder. What do you all think?

F.J

[moebow]

To my eye that's looking a lot better.  You are still collapsing a lot.  In the second to last video, watch your string elbow,  see how it moves forward before you release?  Then in the last video watch the arrow point.  you draw to about 1 inch left in front of the bow but before you release, there is bout 3 inches in front.

You have made good improvements, keep at it and work on that collapse.  This won't be a day or two but a month or two.  Video yourself often, as you discovered, you can see a lot in your own video.  Post again in a while.  Have fun with it!

Arne