physical barriers to good form ?

[moo-mop]

Ahh... same thread but not the same comment (btw you can use the permalink thing to link to a specific comment in a thread if you want)

Seriously, if it's not obvious, never 'force' anything: what I was doing (without a coach) was experimenting with things to try and get an supposed ideal form without a true idea of what ideal was.

Since then I've done more research and discovered precious few, if any, actually look like the sketch I was referring too, but time and time again I have seen average coaches trying to make people look like they're all in line by doing crazyish things. If a good coach can help all very well, but if say it causes you not to be able to see the target, to have the string hit your chin, to lean back, to stick your elbow right up in the air... draw your own conclusions.

My philosophy with form is to use a 'proven' form and not reinvent the wheel by making trying to make sure my form is within the range that others have used and done well (and I mean very well) with. I don't try and make it into some ideal any more; I don't always succeed with this but the above is an example of a little worse than that.

[pHz]

Originally Posted by moo-mop

Seriously, if it's not obvious, never 'force' anything: what I was doing (without a coach) was experimenting with things to try and get an supposed ideal form without a true idea of what ideal was.
Since then I've done more research and discovered precious few, if any, actually look like the sketch I was referring too, but time and time again I have seen average coaches trying to make people look like they're all in line by doing crazyish things. If a good coach can help all very well, but if say it causes you not to be able to see the target, to have the string hit your chin, to lean back, to stick your elbow right up in the air... draw your own conclusions.

this is my concern - having played a bit since i saw my overhead shots i know its POSSIBLE to get myself in line but it aint comfortable and causes some potential clearance issues with the front arm

Originally Posted by moo-mop

My philosophy with form is to use a 'proven' form and not reinvent the wheel by making trying to make sure my form is within the range that others have used and done well (and I mean very well) with. I don't try and make it into some ideal any more; I don't always succeed with this but the above is an example of a little worse than that.

im coming to a view that agrees with this - having dug around footage and photos of a range of high level archers there is a whole range of back elbow positions - i might be at the extreme end of this range but at least im not outrageously out of place (i dont think) so part of me says leave it as it is (or move it in just a little and get on with shooting

slainte : rob

[pHz]

Originally Posted by Marcus26

I think one of the biggest obstacles to good form is flexibility. Many people have poor flexibility in the shoulder area and this is a major draw back to getting the line right.

i suspect this is a factor with me too marcus - the main activities that have 'built' my back and shoulders (plastering and mountain biking rather than specific training) create strength but not much flexibility

need to find a yoga class then ...

slainte : rob

[jedijess]

A clinaband helped out my muscles as a beginner, i try and use it most days to keep the muscles working.

[Kae]

Have you read this book pHz?

Amazon.co.uk: Archery Anatomy: An Introduction to Techniques for Improved Performance: Ray Axford: Books

Well worth the price for this sort of thing. Very informative and easy to understand. Very well illustrated for such a cheap book! (I've literally spent hundreds on books with worse illustrations!).

Kae.

[pHz]

Originally Posted by Kae

Have you read this book pHz?
Amazon.co.uk: Archery Anatomy: An Introduction to Techniques for Improved Performance: Ray Axford: Books
Well worth the price for this sort of thing. Very informative and easy to understand. Very well illustrated for such a cheap book! (I've literally spent hundreds on books with worse illustrations!).
Kae.

good call andy - thanks

amazon now have 9 more quid of my money

slainte rob

[moo-mop]

Out of the many archery books I believe this was the least useful.

[John (OSF)]

Originally Posted by moo-mop

My philosophy with form is to use a 'proven' form and not reinvent the wheel by making trying to make sure my form is within the range that others have used and done well (and I mean very well) with. I don't try and make it into some ideal any more; I don't always succeed with this but the above is an example of a little worse than that.

I agree with your approach, it makes very good sense to me

[Furface]

Originally Posted by moo-mop

Out of the many archery books I believe this was the least useful.

I'm not sure. Though it deals with "standard" shapes and relations, I found that i could apply what it was saying to my less than standard body, and use it to understand why I could not hope to achieve a "perfect" form, and why some of my attempts at compensation do not work.

[moo-mop]

Originally Posted by Furface

I'm not sure. Though it deals with "standard" shapes and relations, I found that i could apply what it was saying to my less than standard body, and use it to understand why I could not hope to achieve a "perfect" form, and why some of my attempts at compensation do not work.

It wasn't the diagrams - although I'll admit they are a pet hate when not backed up with real examples. It was that the book always stopped short of actually recommending anything - just you can do it like this, or this, or this...