Form - Anyone have a problem with "proper form"?

[cajuntec]

In looking back through pictures yesterday, I started to think again about "form". Years ago, after practicing daily with my longbow and getting to what I considered "finally worthy to hunt with this bow" (tight, consistent groups), I took it out for my first hunt.

The day before the hunt, my friend broke out a target and suggested a little "pre game" practice with some field tips. My first arrow was almost dead-on the middle of the target. Less than an arrow shaft diameter from the tiny X in the middle. As I was the first to shoot, I figured I'd hear a "nice shot" from my friend. Instead, the criticism of my "form" started rolling in. "You don't really have a good anchor.", "You "pluck" the string when you shoot.", "You shouldn't grip your bow like that." :roll eyes:

So, for the next couple of minutes, my friend decided to "teach me what I was doing wrong.", and for the following minutes, my shots were all over the place. No more tight groups. Just a buckshot spread on the target that I was disgusted with. He replied "Yeah, your groups might be bad now, but if you practice that way, you will not only shoot better, but you will be using the proper form as well."

So I went back to "my" way of shooting, and proceeded to stack the arrows in a nice little group. He looked disappointed in me, but what was I supposed to do? My way of shooting stacked arrows on target consistently, and since I was the one shooting this bow the next day, it was my way of shooting that was important. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to prove my way during that hunt, because the closest I got to a Sika was about 70 yards.

Since that hunt, I've practiced "his way", and I don't like it. I've read the books, I've watched other archers. Nobody seems to shoot exactly the same. So I'm thinking "proper form" can, in some ways, be relative to the archer.

Thoughts?

All the best,
Glenn

[jerp]

Other than some very basic fundamentals rooted in physics, trad "form" seems to be very personal thing. When I first started in trad I drove myself crazy trying to copy others. Everybody ends up developing a style that is a little different and unique. I say if the way you draw/anchor/release is 100% repeatable for you and the arrows go where you are looking, that is all that matters. Just ignore that unsolicited advice.

[TMiddleton]

I think you should shoot the bow exactly the way that works for you. If you can be consistent and stack the arrows in the center of the target, someone else's opinion on your form is irrelevant.

edit:
Jerp-- said it better, but same idea.

[Bisch]

You can't shoot someone else's way!
As long as you are consistent in what you do, there is no right or wrong!

Bisch

[M.E.B.]

My son came home from college after shooting on the archery team and I tried to learn how to shoot "correctly" and I could not hit anything.

[cajuntec]

I greatly appreciate the responses.

One thing that always bothered me, and I don't know why this happens, but I sometimes get a "crooked" in the target. It hits close to where I'm aiming, but the shaft isn't straight between me and the target. It's at an angle. I number my arrows, so I can check to see if I have a problem arrow, but it seldom is the same arrow twice, so I don't think it's an arrow issue. I bare shaft tuned these for my longbow a long time ago. This was my best grouping that day, but they usually hit fairly consistent to this. But notice the one that didn't enter the target straight. Is this a form issue, or something else?

The top three arrows that were touching all hit the "bullseye" (little orange plastic tack in the middle of that target like the one in the other circle below my grouping). I had one slight right, but still straight, and then one below the main grouping that is "crooked".



All the best,
Glenn

[Rat]

"Perfect form" is just a good place to start. If you watch Fred Bear videos his form was not what we call perfect. In fact, he said to shoot his way was the worst possible way to shoot because it required so much practice; and, that he wouldn't teach someone to shoot the way he did.

I watch a lot of World Archery and every shooter has slightly different form; some have drastically different form. One lady on the Columbian team shoots left eye dominant but right handed; and she's a world class shooter. For the life of me I can't remember her name right now...

The point is, form is largely personal as long as the basics are followed; and this is much truer for the primitive/traditional archer.

There may come a time when you develop a shooting flaw that effects your accuracy; then you may need to evaluate your form and root out the flaw. It happens to everyone, even people with good form. Until then, out shoot your friend and let him ask the 'why' question about his 'good' form!

[Phillip Fields]

"Proper form" is whatever works for you.

[Rat]

I greatly appreciate the responses.

One thing that always bothered me, and I don't know why this happens, but I sometimes get a "crooked" in the target. It hits close to where I'm aiming, but the shaft isn't straight between me and the target. It's at an angle. I number my arrows, so I can check to see if I have a problem arrow, but it seldom is the same arrow twice, so I don't think it's an arrow issue. I bare shaft tuned these for my longbow a long time ago. This was my best grouping that day, but they usually hit fairly consistent to this. But notice the one that didn't enter the target straight. Is this a form issue, or something else?

The top three arrows that were touching all hit the "bullseye" (little orange plastic tack in the middle of that target like the one in the other circle below my grouping). I had one slight right, but still straight, and then one below the main grouping that is "crooked".



All the best,
Glenn

This could be a result of plucking the string or of the grip hand. You already said you pluck the string and this may just be the price you pay for that. You didn't mention your grip, but grabbing the bow at the shot will also cause crooked arrows sometimes.

The only way to know for sure is to work on one of these aspects to see if the crooked arrow goes away.

Does the arrow fishtail or barrel roll on the way to the target? I usually see a fishtail associated with plucking and a barrel roll with the grip; but that isn't set in stone either, just what I see mostly.

[SwampRabbit]

Yeah, I have issues with proper form.

[cajuntec]

Thank you for the reply Rat.

I form my grip by letting the bow hang loosely with my fingers on the string. I push the web between my index finger and thumb of my bow hand into the grip, and coil my index finger around until it just barely touches my thumb. There is still a little room between my index finger and the bow, so I'm not gripping it. The remaining 3 fingers are just relaxed out front, curved towards the bow, but not touching it. I don't think I'm gripping it on the shot, but I'll have a friend watch me or film me shoot the next time so I know for sure.

All the best,
Glenn

[coop]

Form, mine is horrible.

I bought my first bow at 6 years old and learned to shoot watching the indians on old western movies and when I could watch Fred Bear and Howard Hill shorts.

After around 30 years shooting my style I tried to use "proper form". It was a nightmare. I am convinced as long as you are consistent and do everything the same way every time you'll do well.

Don't worry about "perfect form", it is an illusion. (IMO)

By the way I enjoyed excellent results shooting my way for over fifty years, but age has taken a toll as it does with most.

Best of luck.

JC

[caughtandhobble]

I greatly appreciate the responses.

One thing that always bothered me, and I don't know why this happens, but I sometimes get a "crooked" in the target. It hits close to where I'm aiming, but the shaft isn't straight between me and the target. It's at an angle. I number my arrows, so I can check to see if I have a problem arrow, but it seldom is the same arrow twice, so I don't think it's an arrow issue. I bare shaft tuned these for my longbow a long time ago. This was my best grouping that day, but they usually hit fairly consistent to this. But notice the one that didn't enter the target straight. Is this a form issue, or something else?

The top three arrows that were touching all hit the "bullseye" (little orange plastic tack in the middle of that target like the one in the other circle below my grouping). I had one slight right, but still straight, and then one below the main grouping that is "crooked".



All the best,
Glenn

That could also be a result of the arrows trying to get in the same hole.

[cajuntec]

That could also be a result of the arrows trying to get in the same hole.

And that will be my answer when someone asks me about it from now on!

All the best,
Glenn

[MedicineMan7]

"


The point is, form is largely personal as long as the basics are followed; and this is much truer for the primitive/traditional archer.



There may come a time when you develop a shooting flaw that effects your accuracy; then you may need to evaluate your form and root out the flaw. It happens to everyone, even people with good form. Until then, out shoot your friend and let him ask the 'why' question about his 'good' form!

After around 30 years shooting my style I tried to use "proper form". It was a nightmare. I am convinced as long as you are consistent and do everything the same way every time you'll do well.

Don't worry about "perfect form", it is an illusion. (IMO)

JC

These points hit the nail on the head! I learned to shoot from an old man and used a selfbow that had ZERO shelf to shoot off of other than my knuckle. I shot that bow Thousands of times and did just as my old friend told me "pick a spot, lean the bow over a bit and let the arrow fly" and this was forever ingrained in my mind and shot process. It's what's natural and comfortable to me. I've played with changing it a couple times in an attempt to increase or improve accuracy, but every time Ive gone back to what's comfortable. In the time since I started shooting though, I've tweaked or changed little things here or there with most of them just coming on a whim and not from someone directly saying that I was doing something wrong..

The being, If you can stand on your head, use one arm to hold the bow and your feet to draw an release and your Consistent and Comfortable, don't change a thing! (Especially if your shooting groups like in your pictures!!) I've been questioned about my form, my release, my anchor, my everything about how I shoot and I'd never try to pass any of it off on someone as being better if it wasn't comfortable for them. Like said in the posts above, unless there is a true "flaw" that is effecting how you shoot, keep doing what your doing and don't worry about a thing!