The bow arm
 

I have been shooting alot lately. And I have came to the conclusion that a good steady solid bowarm is more important than a good release. I constantly worry about a good release, which is important I might add. But I notice I will hit the mark more often when I concentrate on the bow arm. I know it all plays together and you want your shoulder down, crisp release, and bow arm solid. But when I shoot too much like 60-80 arrows at a sitting, my release is still pretty good, but my bow arm starts dropping or moving at the release. Thats when I start missing. So I was pretty wore out last night, and still feeling the urge to fling some more arrows, and concentrated only on keeping that bow arm pushing where I want that arrow to go. And I hit awesome from 10 yards to 30 yards, even fatigued.

Who agrees? Thats the tough part about traditional, is you need to be able to concentrate on the spot and do this thoughout the whole process, but in the same time, concentrate on your anchor, concentrate on your release, and concentrate on the bow arm. Alot of concentration there. I know I have neglected the bow arm too much lately.

RE: The bow arm
 

I completely understand your struggles. I know if I keep throwing arrows to the left that it is because I don't have a solid bow arm. Its not usually bad maybe 2-3inches left but its enough that is could case a good shot to become a bad shot. I know if my bow arm is bent too much It will be a problem for me. I almost have to have my elbow locked, almost but not quite locked. And then if I compound that with over-drawing I can really throw the arrows wide. Trust me it can get ugly sometimes. LOL[:'(] So basically what im saying is I beleive the bow arm plays a HUGE part in accuracy.

RE: The bow arm
 

I think the bow arm is real important. But I also think it is interconected to other things including the release and alignment. If I keep those two aspects correct, then my bow arm stays put pretty good. But not the other way around. - That probably made no sense.

Could it be that your release is better because of the lack of pressure (mentally) that you are putting towards it? That lack of pressure may lead to a more relaxed release.

RE: The bow arm
 

I was kinda thinking that myself. I wish I spent more time blankbail shooting. but I need a bigger target. Its so hard to separate out the mechanics to work on them.

I do know that I have gained a good 10fps in the last2 or three years. So either my release, draw anchor or something was real bad a few years ago.

RE: The bow arm
 

I know exactly what you are saying Bigcountry. I have picked up about 5fps or so after improving my release. Each year I have been shooting I have seen anywhere between 30-50pt increases in my scores due to refining my form. its all about finding what works best for YOU

RE: The bow arm
 

Have you moved from a glove to a tab? I know I gained a bunch. But I'm sure it increased my draw due to a change in anchor.I also think you'll gain from using the most relaxed draw hand possible. I know I keeptellimgmy son that you can not get the fingers out of the way fast enough for the string to clear and if you try, you'll putun-needed tensionin the fingers that will actually slow you down. Just let the string rip through the hand and use back tension and relax backof handto trigger it.

RE: The bow arm
 

I'll bet if we could see video of last night, your release and follow through probably looked really good. By concentrating so much on keeping that bow arm push, you were probably just allowing your release to happen rather than forcing or triggering it to happen. Form and follow through are biggies when it comes to repeative accuracy, buta good release reallyadds to that and typicallyit's best when we just let it happen.

RE: The bow arm
 

Here is my release a few years ago. Totally aweful. I made it a point to concentrate on a good release with follow thru keep pulling that elbow back.

I don't have anything recent, but I know its better.

http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bigcountry_ky/

RE: The bow arm
 

For me, release and head position seem to be the more important factors. Only when I start to get REALLY tired does my bow arm collapse and I know its past time to quit buy then.

RE: The bow arm
 

Yep me too. My release is my biggest issue when I start screwing up. My bow arm I think has always been a good part of my form.