Does my DL look too long?
 

I took this shot of my form this evening. Something just doesn't look right, but I can't quite pick out what it is. I think my DL is too long.

This is what I see, confirm or deny. I think I am pretty upright, my back and head are straight. My grip is relaxed, both on the bow grip and release. My anchor looks long, but I have that "T" shape. But I am quite comfortable.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

I'll tell you what doesn't look right, your showing off your midriff like your Britney Spears.:D
Seriously though, your body positioning looks good but your anchor point and the knock of the arrow appear to be to far back which would indicate to much DL. I would say about 3/4'' to 1''.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

Man!! I knew that was gonna come up! I thought about cropping that out, but it wouldn't have shown my posture very well. I just didn't think the FIRST reply would point that out....


I just wish my midriff LOOKED like Brittney's does......[&o]

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

I don't know what is going on with your draw length right now, because other things have to be changed first in my opinion that are going to possibly make what you have around the right length. Your front shoulder is collapsed and VERY high. The draw length looks long the way it is, but once you bottom out that shoulder the draw length may be spot on, you will gain draw length by changing this. Bottoming that shoulder will be much more consistent than allowing it to bunch up in a high position like that.

Here is a picture of my friend Cory with that shoulder much lower and in the bottomed out position as an example for you.



My coach taught me to do this on the blank bale, and to set that shoulder position as part of the draw seqence. Before drawing, I hold the bow up to aquire the target, lean forward and reach with the bow hand to the target, set the front shoulder position low and bottomed out, then draw back and settle into the full draw position. What I see in your pic is VERY similar to what I was doing before I started working with him and I experienced a lot of muscle fatigue in that front shoulder after a day of several hundred shots...........because I was using muscle to stabilize that shoulder in that position instead of bone. Bottoming that shoulder in combination with proper bow hand position (yours looks good enough) will allow you to get a much straighter bow arm than most can get without hitting your arm with the string. Change this, then take pics from the side like that and from the rear that show where your elbow is in relation to the arrow shaft and that will allow me to tell if your draw length is correct according to what I have been taught. I can tell you with these changes, you are within probably 3/4 of an inch of where you should be, probably much closer. As you sit now though without these changes you are overdrawn a bit when I look at that rear elbow.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

The only other problem I see is that you are not holding a Mathews.......[8D]

That alone would allow you to gain at least 10 points on your indoor and 3D scores instantly, and would make that midriff look like a washboard. (j/k )

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

See, that's why I am a little leary of you anyway....You Mathews guys gotta be perfect to make up for an inferior bow......

j/k as well......but it's funny!!

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

My shoulder looks the exact same. Its way my body is made. It doesn't get any straigher on me. I would say its 1" too long or so. Should be parrellel with the arrow in my opinion.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

It might not seem to long when you are drawing it back at home in your PJs, but when you are all bundled up in the cold weather with heavy clothingwaiting for that buck of a lifetime, your draw length will be to long....[&:]

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

Rick, thank you, my friend. I appreciate your effort very much!! That was very clever, and above and beyond if you ask me!!!

antler, I know what you mean!! But then again, that's what I wear when it's freezing out.....NOT! [&:]

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

also could your anchor point be too low?

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

but if your happy with the way your shooting and your consistant i wouldnt worry about it too much

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

there are 2 places to get the dl correct - 1 is up front and the other is in back.the first you can't control with a loop - it has to do with how far your bow pulls. if its not too short of an ata bow and you're nottoo tall- the string should touch the tip of your nose when you get to full draw position. a loop no matter how long or short will not and can not change this. you should not place your nose on the string - it should place itself on your nose with your head up right. in some situations, like me shooting a 33" ata bowwith a severe string angle - i can never get my nose on the string without being severely over drawn or really bending my neck - which i refuse to do. now a fellow who is 5' 6" won't have an issue with it. that's one of the reasons i shoot a no-peep on my hunting bow.
anyway the 2nd place is your release forearm. it should be in a straight plane with the arrow - or a little short of straight for hunting - but not more than straight. both of these offer a limited range of independent manipulation to get just right thru dl and loop manipulation.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

Yep c-woods hit it. Your hand should be anchor under your check bone as in the next pic. Yours is way behind your ear. Your shoulder is high from stretching it out which is also causing you to lean back. Things adjustable, play with it. I use a wrist strap and open up my hand. Looks like a good inch too long.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

I'd shorten it an inch, try and bring your hand close to the back of your jaw - It doesnt really matter WHERE you anchor, and long as you do it every time. I personally prefer the knuckle of my index finger right under my ear when using an index finger release, and the space between my index and middle finger knuckles ont he back of my jawbone for a backtension or thumb trigger.

Like you, I keep my bow arm straight - I've tried putting a slight bend in it, but I found I'm a little inconsistant like that - I just keep my shoulder low and dont lock my elbow, and I've never had any problems with hunting clothes contact.

I just shortened my draw 3/8", and my bow now holds much steadier - you'd be surprised what a tiny adjustment in draw will do for your shooting!

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

I'm no expert by far but I'll give you my opinion.

1- I would suggest opening up your stance a bit. Rotate your torso to your right a few inches. It seems weird at first but you will get used to it and it helps eliminate the string slapping your arm.

2- It looks like you front elbow is pretty straight. See if you can put a slight bend in it.

3- Shoulder looks high. Try dropping it like Rick suggested.

4- Your draw looks to be about an inch too long. If you do the first two suggestions, it will definately be too long. You will have to shorten it at least an inch and try it out.

These are just some things that I have done and I am shooting better than ever. Just my $0.02.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

It looks long to me. Other wise not bad. Your form looks pretty good other than the draw length. At least your leaning back and tipping your head into the string. Like the others said, your draw hand just looks like it's too far back. Heck a shorter release might solve the problem. Or tighten that one up so it doesn't slide half way down your hand. Try a hand held release once and see where your hand ends up, I bet it will be about right. And that is what you should try for with your wrist release.

Your grip doesn't look relaxed at all either, but it's hard to tell from a picture. Your release hand is nice and relaxed which is good. While it isn't perfect, I don't doubt for minute you couldn't shoot well that way. That is about the way I was set up when I first started and I shot pretty well once I got used to my bow. As long as you do everything consistantly every time it really doesn't matter.

My biggest concern is you have a bow at full draw with an arrow nocked and your finger on the trigger inside your house. I really hope there is some sort of target or backstop in front of you.

Paul

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

liek the others said i woudl take about 1/2 inch off start there see if its more comfortable, 2 of the biggest problems folks have is a too long a draw length and to much poundage on thier bow. to me looking at the picture you dont look relaxed, it looks a little to long your anchoring almost behind your neck, not a very good anchor point.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

It's always better to shoot too short than it is too long, you look pretty good, minus the midriff...;) worst case, I'd say 3/4 inch too long, how's it shooting? Hitting your arm? Throw on a heavy coat and see if your hitting it?

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

Thanks for all the replys, gentlemen! I appreciate it. I was at the shop tonight, and unfortunately the heat kept everybody home so we were dead slow. But I took the opportunity to work on things. First, I put on a shorter loop. That helped quite a bit. Then I worked hard on dropping my front shoulder down. Suddenly everything seemed way out in front of me. I haven't shot a photo of it yet to see what it looks like, but the combination of those 2 has certainly brought my anchor forward.

Rob, there's no need to be jealous. I'm sure your midriff is equally as sexy as mine! :D The bow shoots great! I get very tight groups and I don't ever hit my arm. I'm not about to put a heavy coat on today, it's 105 for cryin out loud!!!

Paul, I know it's difficult to tell in the photo, but my bow hand is actually very relaxed.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

It's always good to see someone that asks for advice and then takes said advice...many jump to defend....like your midriff.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

i think its a little strange that you fellows noticed his midriff.

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

I didn't notice it, it was pointed out and it's like roadkill, you don't want to look but somehow you do. :D;):D

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

Ouch. Wow, I got a burn mark from that one........:D

Besides, I somehow thing roadkill would actually look BETTER......[&o]

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

Well, I just took said photo and peered at it, and I still say the DL is too long. I work at the shop again on Saturday and I'm going to shorten it 1/2". I just hate to, though. I know it's not much speed, but I don't wanna give it up...[&o] BUT, in the interest of being the best I can be, I'm gonna do it.

ps. I'm not gonna post the pic I just took. There's just too much jealousy flyin around in this thread..:D

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

Nice gut!:D

RE: Does my DL look too long?
 

Somehow seems too close to "Do these pants make my butt look big?" I'm avoidin' this one.