Originally Posted by
handles II
...What makes a bow rock forward is putting a 12oz. weight on the front-bottom 1/2 of it.
So when you see guys and their bow rocks forward, realize that they have a stabilizer on it.
Or realize that it's simple physics - if you're shooting downhill with a 'sub-50%' grip position like all bows have, your bow will tip forward. Where it tips when held vertically is a matter of several factors.
Moral of the story is that a DIFFERENCE in torque due to these different shooting angles WILL affect your POI. No matter how well you shoot it in one condition or the other, THAT change will encourage variability in your performance from level to downward angle. Adding a stabilizer helps eliminate that change as holding the bow at a downward angle decreases the torque offered by the stabilizers, but increases the torque offered by the bow itself, so it ends up panning out to about the same torque on the shot as it has when held level (although shooting upward is an added complication, because the stabilizer loses forward torque, and the top of the bow GAINS backward torque, so it ends up rocking you back WORSE than level shooting).
I agree, a guy can shoot whatever he likes. But there really is a reason to use a stabilizer. Can a guy shoot well without a stabilizer? Yes. Does it need to be 12oz and 30" long? No. Does it need to cost $150? No. Does it need to have side bars and torque balancing counterweights? No. But does a stabilizer help improve consistency in varied shooting conditions? Yes.