On the Back - or off the shoulder

[archer_thom]

Huh, maybe it's not just me. And Chris, I think Erika's idea of the elbow in line after the release (if indeed it were she) would be an ideal position as it would mean the follow through was in line with the force. However I'm not sure many top archers get that ideal position.

That said, having a solid repeatable position can only be a good thing.

Glad i'm not the only one with coach problems.

[moo-mop]

Another pic is in order perhaps:

[archer_thom]

Originally Posted by moo-mop

Another pic is in order perhaps:

I remember that sequence in Bogensport (I think it's called), as I recall she did have her elbow in line before the release. Do you have that photo?

[moo-mop]

Yep earlier in the thread and no she didn't. These really are useful pics for showing to coaches!

[archer_thom]

Originally Posted by moo-mop

Yep earlier in the thread and no she didn't. These really are useful pics for showing to coaches!

Yes it is isn't it - she's one of those that they always say has perfect form. Just goes to show.

[King Custard]

Yun Min Jin.

gorgeous.......could and have watched videos of her shooting all day. the overhead photos though are especially enlightening...all on the back I think, and still not in line. Thanks for those photos!!!

[ASW1973]

I find it very scary that in talking about "being on" or using back this whole thread perpetuates a set of myths and old wives tales. I suppose that it does keep people busy and happy but the ideas floated here have ranged from the outright dangerous and impossible to just a waste of time, with a tiny amount of good advice (but how can anyone tell which is which?)

[pHz]

Originally Posted by ASW1973

I find it very scary that in talking about "being on" or using back this whole thread perpetuates a set of myths and old wives tales. I suppose that it does keep people busy and happy but the ideas floated here have ranged from the outright dangerous and impossible to just a waste of time, with a tiny amount of good advice (but how can anyone tell which is which?)

i may be just perpetuating myths but i was recently shown / told that the whole idea of back tension is a RESULT of good form and NOT a way to try and achieve good form

on the right lines or more dangerous talk ?

(it would be nice for us relative noobs to have some pointers as to what is impossible and dangerous though)

slainte rob

[archer_thom]

Originally Posted by ASW1973

I find it very scary that in talking about "being on" or using back this whole thread perpetuates a set of myths and old wives tales. I suppose that it does keep people busy and happy but the ideas floated here have ranged from the outright dangerous and impossible to just a waste of time, with a tiny amount of good advice (but how can anyone tell which is which?)

Well, just to make myself really unpopular...

There's the coach response: "Do this one. I think it's best. Do it for 3 years, at the end of which you MAY be as good as you are now. Or you'll never be in a team again." (sorry to all you good coaches out there)

There's the sycophant response: "Do it like this person, because they're, like, you know, AMAZING"

There's the ambitious archer (Lost Soul) response: "I'll do this. If that doesn't work, I'll try this one instead. Oh, what, I should do this? Ok. No wait, I prefer that one. Why are my scores dropping?"

[ASW1973]

have posted this before, and yes there are exceptions that can be picked out of the elite but they are idiosyncratic:
at full draw the bow hand, tab hand and rear elbow should be in line, with the shoulders parallel to this line. This reduces the imbalance in the shoulder blades and allows a simple effective alignment of the body.
Many recurve archers, especially in the uk, move the rear elbow into a high position inside of this line which destabilises the balance on the shoulders leeding to the use of large amount of muscle to hold the shoulder in position. it is doable but is very muscle intensive. most archers end up with too much draw length and as i say a lack of stability.
this is true for recurve or compound.