shooting form question
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
i am completely reworking my shooting release and form. One thing I am currently struggling with is upon a surprise release, my bow torques and twists counter clockwise in my hand instead of jumping straight forward.
I've been trying to so some research and can't quit find what i'm looking for regarding what the problem may be...
What are some of your thoughts? Form, grip, too long DL?
Open to any suggesstions...
thanks
My first response would be that your grip it too firm. Without seeing you shoot it's tough to call though.
You may also be not "pushing" your bow arm away from you throughout the entire draw/hold/release/follow through sequence. This would cause a collapse of the back muscles which can throw off your form big time.
You may also be subconciously trying to "grab" the bow when you release. Many times when shooters do this they have no idea of it until someone watches them shoot.
Have a buddy at the range video your form on your phone and then watch it. You'll be amazed at what you can pick up. I do this for my kids while teaching them shooting form and they learn much more quickly with the visual reference of what I'm explaining to them. It's hard to understand what you may or may not be doing until you see it with your own eyes!
one thing i find interesting is that when i have a true surprise release the bow seems to twist at shot and bow arm goes to the left.
When i screw up and squeeze the trigger with my finger instead of pulling through the bow jumps forward.
Not sure if this indicates anything..
thanks for the suggesstions..
It sounds like a high shoulder to me! High shoulders are one of the most common causes of clockwise torque. But I'd have to see you shooting to really know for sure. It could be anything! Good luck!
First bit of advise, you don't come to full draw then squeeze your shoulders together to execute a shot.
Couple of good points above but if your bow is torqueing it sounds like your grip is wrong. I assume you are right handed, and if so, a counter clockwise twist would be caused by the position of your hand and wrist. Imagine a straight line from your shoulder to the grip, thru your wrist and elbow. The bow should cause pressure on the palm of your hand at the transition of the base of your thumb. If you use a wrist strap, shoot without grabbing the grip and let the bow fall freely and see what happens. One more thing, if your draw length is to long you will have a hard time with a proper release. Do you have a problem with hitting your wrist with the string?
is your quiver on the bow? you sure its not you torking it, and is it a new bow, which one. are you using a D-loop
Thanks for the suggestions... ill focus on some of this tomorrow. To answer some of the questions above...
I really have no problems hitting my arm with the bow string upon release.
Yes i shoot with a tightspot quiver currently no arrows in it though
Actually, im sure it is me and not the bow creating this issue. Im just not sure where to start looking to find the issue. I as others have mentioned suspect the grip but i have really been focusing on that so im hoping it is not my grip. Besides i dont think that would make my arm move to the left. Perhaps my bow arm (although straight) may be too far to the right and not straight from my shoulder.
I am currently shooting a 2014 hoyt faktor with a 29" dl set at 63#s
Yes i am shooting with a d loop.
Thanks for ur help
It sounds like your problems are a mixture of everything. Kisik Lee teaches a chest square to target. If your draw length is too long, or you body starts to come away from the target slightly, the posterior deltoid (the muscle a lot of shooters use to create back tension for their release) will max out. You subconsciously tend to rotate your upper torso to compensate and keep the back tension, creating a high shoulder and your hand to rotate clockwise.
Stick your bow arm straight out in front of you, then rotate your body away from the target. You should notice your shoulder rise and your bow hand turn to the right. During your shot, nothing should move in front of your right shoulder. Setting your draw length appropriately should take into account the back tension movement needed to execute your shot sequence. Just keep at it! You'll get it all worked out!
As a coach, I have to say it's impossible to know what's wrong without seeing you shoot.
If the bow is torquing at the surprise release like you say, then the torque is pre-loaded into the shot rather than grabbing the grip at the shot. Try wearing a slippery cotton jersey glove, or smearing some lubricant on your grip and hand. You don't want any friction between the skin and the grip as you draw. All that friction will "unwind" as soon as the release is tripped.
draw the bow with a relaxed grip/open hand, sight thru normally. Then grip the bow, youll see how much and what direction your torqueing your bow. Find out what grip and hand position doesn't torque it, than practice your consistency.
the other half of your equation is your follow thru, hold your form after the shot, try to will the arrow into the target before you break your form, (technique for me)
What Spike Bull said...I'm as guilty as anyone of having gripped my bow handle with 'The Hand of Death', trying to choke the dang thing...
I have the grip sorted, but I'm still finding I sometimes don't follow through/drop bow arm after the shot [especially at longer ranges say at 60 yards] :-(
BTW enjoy the Hoyt Faktor...I know I do :-)
Good luck, good form and good hunting!!
thanks guys... I am getting the grip down now and have improved, but I can not get the bow arm to stop moving. I am going to try shortening the draw length a half inch and see where that puts me...
ben