Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

Hey all I was working on my form alittle this week and had a few questions for you.

First off do you keep your bow arm straight or slightly bent? I currently hold my bow with arm slightly bent but have seen people keep this straight.What arethe advantages/disadvantages to having the arm straight rather than bent? I do not ever hit my string on my arm when currently shooting but I was curious to know if there was more consistency in shots with the arm straight? If I were to want my arm straight i would have to extend the DL of the bow because right now I have the DL pretty short.

Also, does having feet apart/together make any difference? I guess there would be more stability with feet apart but I find it more consistent shooting feet together. Let me know your thoughts on this.

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

Your feet being apart or together really doesnt matter, its whatever platform works best for you. Ive seen guys shoot (well) with their feet touching. ITs all what you think is more stable, just do it consistantly.

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

If you have the right grip, you CAN lock your bow arm out, and actually develop a little more consistency if you've had consistency problems. Using a "high wrist" grip can help compensate for a draw that may be a half inch long or too long, and may also help you if you are trying to sqeeze out an extra inch or half inch. As far as the feet go, I shoot from a variety of positions because I know that the shot I get from my tree or from the ground, may not be the PERFECT one I'm settng up for. Optimally, you're best with your feet about shoulder width apart, but that's not the position I'm usually in when I'm getting opportunities at animals. I've taken several shots from a kneeling position, and I've taken some when I was literally leaning agains the tree I was in.

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

Most people are going to shoot better with feet shoulder width apart, bow arm slightly bent, and learn to squeeze a release.

Biggest problem I've seen is guys locking their arms out straight (DL too long) and hammering a release.;)

Dan

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

I have always shot with a straight arm. By this I don't mean with tense muscles. The arm m uscles are relaxed so as to not induce any torque. The main advantage to shooting this way is that with all the bones in a straight line (bone to bone alignment) the arm and shoulder muscles don't have to work as hard to hold the position. This means less fatigue and more repeatability.

I might also add that this is where having the bow hand turned approx 45 degrees with the knuckles out also helps. A search can explain this further, but let it suffice to say that if you grip your bow you aren't doing it right.

As for the feet? Let's just say that with almost any structure the base is at least as wide as the top.You don't see buildings built like an upside down triangle--for obvious reasons. With the feet close together or touching you have a less stable base. You don't have to have your feet as wide as the shoulders, but apart at what you feel is comfortable for you. I've never measured mine, but I would guess my feet are about 1' apart most of the time---on level ground.

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

You want a system that has the least amount of tension in it so try to keep your body in it's most natural positions. When standing that's with feet under the shoulders. Your relaxed arm has a slight bend in it. Your relaxed hand has slight curvature in the fingers.

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

Your feet should be shoulder width or slightly more.If your feet get too close together,you will not have as stable of a platform.

The feet shoulder width and the front foot pulled back to open your midsection is a preferred method by many long distance shooters because this is a more stable platform in the wind.


The arm should be straight but relaxed with the wrist and forearm turned out slightly.The reason most consider this correct is simple,it is harder to maintain a bend and have it be consistant and fatigue sets in quicker when using a bent arm because of the smaller muscle groups being used.


Try this simple task,lean against the wall or a door facing with your arm straight but relaxed and then try it with a bent arm and see which way you tire quicker.Also pay attention to which way you are more stable.


With that being said,there are some darn good shooters that shoot with a slight bend because it is more comfortable for them.

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

I should have read down and I would have seen where Bg posted,then I could have saved myself some typing.[&:]

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

Sightly bent if you straighten you arm out to were your elbow is locked you will have tennis elbow further down the road. Straighting you arm all the way out you are cratingone pivot point your shoulder with makes it harder to hold on the target and wind is going tobe harder foryour to aim in. Also it hard to get a good push and pull on release. Make a fisthold it straight up and down and have a buddy hold your hand and try moving it as pushing on it too.You will seewith a lot moresteadytokeep a slightly bent elbow help keep you hand from moving. You find you have more control with your elbow bent a little as your pushingThat way you most really good target archers shoot that way. A slightly bent down elbow also means you hand pressure is good. If you elbow is turned straight out that means your hand is not far enough into the handle and your going to brake at the wrist on release and need a over draw putting the pivot point over the top of your wristandyournot putting all the presser into the bass of your wrist. I shoot with my feet at shoulderwidth because if I'm standing on a hill sideit's easier for me to bend at the waist the stepper the hill the little closerthey will be together sometimes even touching my heels together

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

try this experiment. hold out your arm straight and have someone pull down on it. then hold it out slightly bent and have them pull down. you will find that with your arm is more steady bent

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

The bend in the arm is a just matter of what some are considering bend.I prefer straight but not locked as do most coaches.Some consider this a slight bend.


This is one of the absolute best archers out there.




This guy here is the best spot shooter in the world right now but he has gone to a more relaxed bow arm but it is still straight.but he did win vegas with this form and also with a more relaxed arm.




This is probably the best bow arm positioning.This is considered the best compound shooter in the world.

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

Here is the second guy in January of 08,you can see the change.Anywhere between the new and the old is pretty good.Like I said,he has won Vegas with both.whichever is more comfortable is best.


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x47...ouef-usa_sport

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

DaveCousins (guy on the bottom of the moving vid.) is absolutely rock solid!!! Its amazing to see him release. You cant beat that at all, perfect...

If i could only do that consistently:eek:

Derek

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

Thanks for all the replies fellows. I shot my video league the other night and moved my feet to shoulder width apart rather than close together and it felt alot more comfortable/stable.Istill like my arm slightly bentpersonally so im gonna stick with it.

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

I'm leery to give too many tips on form as I think it's very unique for each and every archer due to physical makeup and personal strengths/weaknesses. Not to mention It's something *I* always have to work on as well.

That said- I just want to add that the most humbling Archery experience of my life was when they had a shooting seminar with Dave Cousins and Jim Despart at my local shop. They are both absolute machines. In fact Jimmy was shooting tighter groups than his Hooter Shooter was doing- I'm not kidding! They shot a spot round and Jimmy won that day, but Dave's game is field archery.

RE: Arm straight or bent, feet apart or together?
 

I agree with you that we are all individuals and will alter our form toa comfort level, but just like golf or other things there are still basics that should be learned and then change from there a bit. Learn the basics first to get a solid foundation and then start experimenting from this. Just like building any structure you have to satrt from the base and work your way up.