I shot a ton the last two days and focused on keeping my bow arm straigher during my draw, back tension, and my anchor points. Dang, it is hard trying to do multiple things at once when you are first learning. So I took some of Jeff's advice and just focused on one thing here and there on each shot. I bought some heavier arrows today, fletched them with some 4 inch parabolic feathers, and added 150 grain field tips as compared to the 120's I have been using. I have a new bow string on the way, and will put on some string silencers once I get the bow restrung. My back is literally aching between my shoulder blades. I believe I will be taking a couple of days off from shooting because I was getting sloppy due to fatigue the last 20 shots or so today. As usual, any comments are appreciated on my form. I am going to be your worst nightmare this off-season in my attempts to get accurate out to 20 yards prior to September. If I can get accurate out to 20 yards, meaning I can consistenly put my arrows in a 3 inch or so diameter circle at 20 yards, then I am more than likely going to hunt part if not all of the next hunting season with my recurve. http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/virginiashadow/?action=view¤t=Capture_20100419.flv http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/virginiashadow/?action=view¤t=Capture_20100419_5.flv http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/virginiashadow/?action=view¤t=Capture_20100419_1.flv
Brett: I'm not tootin' my own horn.....but this photo shows a good position to get into. You're still short-drawing. When you get to this position.....and roatate (not draw BACKWARDS) your elbow around behind you.....you'll feel the back tension. To exaggerate this, think about ending your shot sequence with your fingers pointing down on your right shoulder. The 3rd video looks closest to what I'm describing. Just my .02
Thank you Jeff. I will continue to work on my form. I bought a new big target today that I can get up off the ground so I can get some good form work. Most all of my shooting has been downwards due to a small target and from the slope of my yard. I am going to go through my form "on air" and try to get the fingers pointed down my shoulder like you described, and rotate instead of drawing backwards. Thanks for all of your help.
Ok , I don't know if anybody else will agree here . When you nock your arrow , it makes a very distinct click . That means your nock is too tight a fit on your string and this will not help your accuracy . What you need to do is file the inside of your arrow nocks a bit at a time , so that they are just hanging on the string and the slightest touch will nock the arrow off . My arrows sit on the string , but if I tip my bow forward and flick the string , my arrow will fall off and this makes for a better release of arrow and less friction/contact and thus better flight . Does that make sense ??? , if not I can try post a vid . Ps ... do you have any shelf material on your bow ? Pps ... I personally improved my accuracy by changing to 3 fingers under , to do this you would need to raise your nock .
I'm at work, can't see the latest round of vids, not that I am qualified for advice giving anyways.... But to add to whats bails-UK said, You can also dip your nock in boiling water for 20-30 seconds & then push open the "ears" slightly. When it cools, you will have less pinch on your string.
Really Brett your forms not that bad for someone who's getting Into traditional for the 1st time. It's very consistent which Is very Important. Jeff Is correct though, you do have a slight short draw going on. Not much but slight. Once you get your form and grouping to your satisfaction try practicing In a hunting situation. Act like you have a deer In front of you. Raise your bow slowly and draw nice and slow. That's when I can really tell If my form Is on or not (short drawing). I have a tendacy to short draw myself once In a while. It's mostly because I'm leaning forward too much even though I still hit my anchor point. Do you ever get an arrow to fish tail at all? If It's not a bad release It's more then likely because you short drawed. Keep up the good work Brett!!!
Bails, I will do that for my nocks....I have been noticing some wear on my string from the new nocks. I am hoping my new bowstring arrives as I ordered it last Saturday! Ps ... do you have any shelf material on your bow ? I believe I have some felt. Pps ... I personally improved my accuracy by changing to 3 fingers under , to do this you would need to raise your nock . I am currently shooting three fingers under. What is weird is that I feel tight on the draw using three fingers under, yet I feel stable. I played arouund yesterday and shot some shot with a split finger draw and the entire draw felt easier and more natural, yet I did not feel as stable upon pausing before the release, nor on the release itself. Any hints would be appreciated. Was it easier to draw with a split finger draw because I was more in the middle of my bow string because my nock point is incorrect? Thank you Steve, I appreciate the encouragement and feedback...I am going to keep practicing hard for the next few months to see where I am come September 1st.
