I just did a search and looked at that pic again. I don't think your draw is too short at all. I think the problem is you are leaning back a little bit, and shooting down at the ground. I think if you were shooting at a level target and standing more straight your elbow would be better. You could also make a conscious effort to drop your elbow a little when you draw if you wanted to.

When you shoot down you should bend at the waist, not just aim the bow down. It's hard to get used to though.

I wouldn't go messing with your set if I were you. Just shoot more and concentrate on good consistant form and release when you do practice. Now if your bow is uncomfortable to hold at full draw and breaks over on you all the time you may want to consider tweaking the length some, but it looks pretty good to me, especially the hand position on your face and the way the string touches you at full draw. I have seen much worse that is for sure.

Before you post another pic I want you to try a few things. First of all I want you to try and shoot at a target that is higher off the ground so it is more level to you when you aim. It is very hard to judge form when the person is aiming down.

Then when you set your stance to the target I want you to look at the target, then close your eyes and draw the bow naturally and where it feels comfortable. Then open your eyes and see where the bow is pointed. If it isn't pointed at the target, change your footing. Keep trying this until your bow naturally aims at the target when you draw it. Do this everytime you change your footing until you get it down and stand that way subconsiously. This means everytime you go to get arrows or move your feet go thru that routine until you stand that way naturally.

And when you do draw the bow concentrate on standing upright with our body and head lined up directly over your hips. Keeping your head straight up and down, don't lean your head into the string to make it touch. It may require chaning your anchor point slightly. You should not move your form to match the bow, you should set your bow up to match your form. This may also require you to change your peep location and move your sights.

Speaking of peeps, you should be able to draw your bow the way I described above and open your eyes with your peep being right there where you can see thru it. You shouldn't have to change your head position to find the peep. I normally set a bow up for someone without the peep to begin with because it is too easy to move your head to find the peep.

Good luck,

Paul

thanks guys! that was really helpful. I do think my draw is a little short though, because one of you guessed that i should be 5'4" but I'm actually 5'6". Its not too uncomfortable to shoot, so I'll try taking your advice and correct some of the other things and see if that helps. Thanks!

Figuring your draw up with a formula doesn't always work that well either. It works for some, but not everyone. And seems to be less accurate with small framed archers and women. It doesn't work for me at all. Your draw length can change from bow to bow or if you switch releases. A formula might get you close, but in most cases it won't nail it.

Again, from looking at that picture I don't think you should mess with it, you might end up going too long and doing more harm than good. And there is no way anyone on here can look at the pic and say you are 1/2 an inch or an too short. I would have to watch you shoot multiple times from different angles to tell that.

You need to practice more and be confident with your set up, not mess with it and doubt that it works. I say that from experiance, I am a tinker a holic when it comes to my bow. Maybe in a few years when you are a more accomplished archer and decide to get a new bow you can work on getting your draw length more precise, but what you have now is plenty good. I have seen guys win indoor spots with worse form.

Paul

I agree with Paul, too short is better than too long. The pic of you shows you shooting downhill which gives a weird angle to judge your draw length from. Your elbow may be high just because you aren't pivoting at the waist correctly. If you do decide to lengthen your draw don't go very much.