Form Opinions...Let me have it!

[muzzyman88]

I've seen a couple people on here post pics of their form and I want to get opinions from everyone here on where I can improve. Don't hold back, let me have it.

[c903]

May be the worse form I have seen in my 40+ years!

[Rack-attack]

looks good to me - just a little lean back.

I figure you rushed to take the pic and didn't strap on the release?

hard to tell whats going on with that hand - with it straped in like normal we can see if you have to much tension in it - beacause you sure do now

[Matt / PA]

As always......hard to tell from one pic. Doesn't look bad?

One thing I do notice.....don't grip your release. Your trigger finger position looks OK, but your release hand fingers should hang naturally, triggering your release. If you Grip your release body, then you cannot fire the shot with back tension, all that is moving is your index finger. Unless you have superhuman squeezing ability and the capability of disconnecting your brain from it you will anticipate the shot. Anticipation leads to punching which leads to inconsistent accuracy.
The most common case of flyers IMO.
Back tension = consistent accuracy with whatever form you decide works for you.

[Matt / PA]

Oh yeah......good call Rack, I didn't notice the release not strapped on? What is that thing!?

We need actual shooting form......no pretending allowed here!

[muzzyman88]

Oh, I see what you are saying about the release. Haha, that is a Tru Ball glove release. It is actually strapped on and ready to shoot in the picture.

As far as the comment on lean back, what do you mean? What steps to correct that?

[c903]

I was ribbing!

Looking at a shooter that is standing in shooting form, is like looking at the exterior of a parked vehicle that looks good by all appearances, but appearances alone does not tell you how it starts, runs and drives.

There is the correct shooting form, and there is the modified form that best fits the individual. Anyone that has been shooting for several years may look at the pic and compare MZY's form with his or her form, rather than best form.

For me, his draw-arm elbow is too high (sometimes indicative of pulling to much weight), especially when using a wrist-release, his draw-wrist appears to be slightly cocked down (could be due to elbow being too high), his bow-arm elbow is bent, which I do not subscribe to, he appears to be gripping the bow, and has too much heel (hand) on the grip.

That is comparing what I see with my form. The truth is, if his form is consistent, he feels comfortable, and his accuracy is consistent, that may the form that is best for him.

The real problem is that thing he is holding!

[muzzyman88]

Here are a couple more pics.

C903, no offense here, I'm here to take a beating.

Head on

[muzzyman88]

Other side

[c903]

Just playing with you!

How you gauge your form yourself, is how comfortable and confident you feel with your shooting form, and is your accuracy good and consistent. In this case, a picture is not worth a thousand words.

Do consider suggestions though. Try them for a period and ascertain if the change does improve your shooting... whether or not you believe you need to change anything. From personal experience, sometimes you might be surprised"¦.and that does not include suggesting I should try a "Whackin' Basket!"

In the photos, your shoulders are not level and your draw-arm elbow is too high"¦.for my taste. It appears you are leaning back a few degrees, but that may be an illusion caused by the shirt your are wearing.

Also, are you purposely bending your bow arm at the elbow as has been suggested to be a good thing to do? I have seen shooters bend their bow arm in a makeshift attempt to compensate for a too short draw-length. Just as I have seen some push their bow arm and bow shoulder too far forward to compensate for a draw-length that is too long.