And now for the same old same old pictures. Since I shortened my draw length, how does the form look to you guys?





I think its a definite improvement from what it was before. I know its not perfect, but its a step up from where it was.

Opinions?

Can you shorten the barrel of that release or adjust it so that the trigger falls at your first joint of your index finger? That way, you won't be as inclined to "punch" it or "slap" at it, as Paul put it.

Try gently resting your bow-hand fingers on the front of that riser, too... see how that feels.

WH, I noticed you are slightly sky drawing. Sometimes its a sign of to much draw weight but it doesn't appear you're straining to draw. Maybe just habit. I never sky draw, even slightly. Besides the danger aspect, when you are in a stand the less movement you make the better. I've found drawing level or slightly pointing down is a better way to practice. If you can't draw it slightly down you might be overweighted. If so back it down until you can. I will also vary my draw speed from normal to very slow.

Greg - The barrel of the release is as short as it'll go. I just have short fingers, I guess.

If I try to "relax" my fingers more like you're suggesting, that would require me to use the muscles in my hands to move them. Where they are in the picture is how they naturally relax when I'm at full draw.

Aero - I was in a car accident about a month ago and it messed up my lower back. I generally draw straight towards me, but this was the first time my doctor had told me it was alright to go out and shoot. He actually called me up and told me he was "prescribing" archery as another form of my physical therapy. It helps to have a doctor who is an archer. Anyhow, as soon as I build that muscle back up I'll be able to draw correctly again. You're right though, I should start drawing from the ground up anyhow, to prevent any accidents if the arrow somehow gets loose at the draw.

Looks much better to me, I bet you could even go a bit shorter if you wanted to. However I would leave it as is for now.
How small are you? Are you sure it 26 inches? I draw 26 inches and my arm is not extended that much, and I am LITTLE. Like 5'3" and 130 lbs.

You need to learn to squeeze the trigger, or better yet shoot it with back tension. If you do a search someone has probably explained it on this site. Or maybe gibblet could explain it to you.

I would try, but I think I might actually confuse you more than help you[]. I actually don't shoot mine backtension any way. I actually like to physically trigger my release. I know I'm probably not as accurate as I could be that way, but I am plenty accurate for what I need and I know exactly when my arrow is getting released. I can draw my bow, aim and release an arrow all in one motion if I have to. Sort of like shooting a recurve, but with a release.

I won't be winning vegas with that method, but it's minute of deer accurate if I need to utilize it.

Don't worry about being skinny or little. I could never gain any weight when I was young either. I weighed 90 lbs all thru highschool. And barely made it to 110 in the military. I haven't grown since the 8th grade. You will start gaining weight when you get older, or get married, or have kids. I tried everything when I was younger too. I was in weight training and seeing a nutrutionist. Did the shackly protien shake thing and took about 20 vitamins a day. I didn't gain a pound! I had great muscle tone though.

I will tell you how to gain weight. Wait until you are about 30, get laid off and sit around and drink beer every day.

Paul

Paul, as far as I know its 26". The manual on this particular bow shows which cam modules equal which draw length, and these particular ones are for 26". It does seem a little odd though that being 5'10" I would have that short of a draw length, which is one of the reasons I didn't shorten it earlier.

As for back tension, I've read everything posted about it -- twice. I just never impliment it. perhaps its from the days when I was a rifle hunter, I just like to trigger the release myself. Maybe I should try and impliment back tension a bit more though, at least until I'm more comfortable with my new release.

As for being skinny... The way I look at it, I'd rather be skinny than overweight. Everyone in highschool always asked why I never busted my butt like everyone else in the gym to put on mass. My reason then and now is that I'm fit enough to do the things I enjoy doing. I can draw a 70lb bow all day long with no problem. I can haul treestands up and down mountains with ease. I can drag a full grown deer a couple miles if needed. I can pack a camp in and pack an elk out. I'm fit for the things that I enjoydoing, I don't need to impress anyone.

WH,

I know the feeling but got you by a few years. 5'10" as well, 142 lbs., and 36 years old. Wait a while and you will be more and more happy with your build. Over the last ten years I have seen the guys in my age group "putting on the pounds" and they are paying for it. I'm now flying by guys on the basketball court, the same of which used to eat me for breakfast! If you have a physical job, all the better. Trust me, it's not a curse. About the form- I'm no form genius but I do know Michael Jordan had a very flat jump shot, Arnold Palmer has a terrible swing, and Michael Johnson ran way too upright. They all have more money and gold medals than I will ever see!

So how are you shooting now? Your form looks better with the shorter length and I am curious to see if this has improved your accuracy.

This was yesterday right after I shortened my draw length. The arrow in the center of the bullseye bounced off the nock of the next arrow up. The highest arrow was a muzzy with practice blades, the other two were fieldpoints.





20 yards.