perennial shoulder question

[pHz]

just seen this photo in another thread -



- anyone got any comments about his bow shoulder (assuming it isnt just me or the angle of the photo) ?

slainte : rob

[JohnK]

Looks pretty good from there. Frangilli is a big guy (not as tall as me, but probably broader) with very big, powerful shoulders, so it's unsurprising that it may look a little high in relation to the arrow. He pushes from the shoulder through the shot and his front arm looks very stable when he does it.

Of course, static photos are limited in terms of angle and also because it's hard to tell at what stage in the shot he is (although it does look close to the end).

[Desert Archer]

At first glance it looks kind of high. But, if you will notice the angle of the arrow's shaft compared to the horizon, he's actually aiming quite high. I think that is creating an illusion of a more hunched (raised) soulder than is actually the case. Also, although Michael is one of the top Olympic recurve shooters in the world, I bet even he has a bad shot with imperfect form once in a while. (smiley face goes here)

Dave

[Shirt]

The man can shoot 1350 with a recurve. Clearly it's good enough.

There's also the fact that your shoulder is meant to be down and in towards the string. This is only truly attainable if you have the correct body type and size for it. Most people can manage one or the other or a combination between the two. Those who can get it both down and in are generally already on a national team.

[pHz]

Originally Posted by Shirt

The man can shoot 1350 with a recurve. Clearly it's good enough

yeah - of course - which is why i asked in the first place (as someone still inexperienced im trying to build a picture of what is and isnt THAT important)

slainte rob

[geoffretired]

I would say, Rob, that a low bow shoulder is very important. I say that because if it isn't low, it can tend to rise as the draw increases. That in turn makes the draw length more difficult to repeat, and at the same time changes the way the bow arm interacts with the bow.
A varying bow shoulder position is a bad platform for launching arrows from.
A consistent bow shoulder position is better. That consistency is easier to achieve, for most archers, with a low shoulder. Getting the shoulder down in the first place seems to be a problem for many archers. With large shoulder muscles, it can look high even when the shoulder is down. It would be easier to spot if the photo showed both shoulders from directly behind. If the bow shoulder is higher than the other, that is usually a sign.

[Erika]

His shoulder is low enough. It should be just below or lower and that is clearly the case.

It should be noted though that just because someone is a good archer does not automatically mean that they are doing everything perfectly.

[worthipa]

Originally Posted by geoffretired

It would be easier to spot if the photo showed both shoulders from directly behind.

Your wish is my command, (c) Timo Rantanen

[geoffretired]

Ahhhh the English language has let me down again, or my misuse of it!!!!
I should have said, "Directly behind the archer." As in standing on the line behind him.( his back facing the camera) Sorry about that.

[geoffretired]

Originally Posted by pHz

(as someone still inexperienced im trying to build a picture of what is and isnt THAT important)

I hope this is not seen as hijacking the thread, but that seems to me to be a very sensible question.
I have often thought of making a list of " things that really matter". The list would be in order; most beneficial to group size, first.
I know that it is not as simple as it seems because so often problems are related to each other. But, for archers who are struggling, and do not have the time to work on everything to reach a really high standard, I thought there might be a list of things that would be more "cost effective".
Let's say an archer is in his/her first year of archery. There is no coaching programme in place and the odd bad habit is about to become part of the technique if it isn't sorted soon. What should the archer work on first to gain the most points within the time they can give to their learning?
I would put a " near continuous draw" as opposed to the "draw to face then stop to aim and release"; close to the top of my list. Very high in the list would be a followthrough that is natural and two handed, as opposed to a draw hand that flies back and a bow arm that has never had a job, apart from holding on to the bow. Is such a list possible? Would it help if there was one?
If there is one already and I've missed it, point me in the right direction and put my ignorance down to my age.