Consistent Draw lenght

[Beardy]

How do I maintain it?

I've been shooting since January, and indoors my groupings were reasonably good. Not very end, but if I let myself settle down I could get all three arros within 2 inches. We're now shooting outside, and my groping as GONE. Even at 25m, my grouping is no better tha 6inches. It seems to me that the primary culprit is draw length. Why? well because discussing it with those on the line that shoot a lot better than me, draw length is what they say is the problem I'd ask the club coaches for advice but they've been absent since we moved outside. So what can I do to help improve matters. Silverbow is starting to shoot better than me, and that won't do at all
Please help.

[Schme1440]

Originally Posted by Beardy

How do I maintain it?

I've been shooting since January, and indoors my groupings were reasonably good. Not very end, but if I let myself settle down I could get all three arros within 2 inches. We're now shooting outside, and my groping as GONE. Even at 25m, my grouping is no better tha 6inches. It seems to me that the primary culprit is draw length. Why? well because discussing it with those on the line that shoot a lot better than me, draw length is what they say is the problem I'd ask the club coaches for advice but they've been absent since we moved outside. So what can I do to help improve matters. Silverbow is starting to shoot better than me, and that won't do at all
Please help.

Its all about practicing correct draw length. Clickers are a great tool for aiding consistant draw length. However I dont suggest this option. One thing you need to make sure id you keep the pressure on at full draw. Too many people bring the string to there chin then either let the bow arm collapse or the draw arm colapses or both. you need to keep pulling other wise it will be very difficult to keep the draw consistant. your bow is always trying to shorten your draw and shoot the arrow. You need to exert more force to keep the string at full draw. Just stopping your draw and hopeing it will stay still will not work. Simple answer is to keep drawing the bow and expanding.

[Kae]

Consistent draw length is easy when you think about it (just not in practice).

Your bow hand is in a fixed position at the end of your arm, your anchor point is in a fixed point on your face. As long as your bow arm is straight, there cannot be any variation between the two fixed points?

Bow hand, back tension (back, not arms should be doing the work) and inconsistent anchor point can all be problems. Also not having a straight bow arm can be a cause.

Do you hold your bow arm straight?


Kae.

[Jacqamoe]

Getting your draw length consistant isn't all that hard, if you can find a fixed reference point on your face to draw to every time. I've not found it all that easy though, but having added a kisser to my string has helped me, as did adding a clicker to my set-up once I had a regular draw length. Lastly I've changed my tab to one I can feel my face better with and this seems to have helped lots! No one answer has worked for me, but a combination of things and lots of practice certainly seems to be paying off at last...

[Beardy]

Schme, having read what you say and thinking about what I do, I can see the value of your advise, I'll try and remember it on the line. Thanks

Kae, I *think* my bow arm is straight, and I 'think' that I'm achoring in the same place, but the consistance just isn't happening. I'll monitor and see.

jacqamoe, I was thinking of getting a kisser as I'v'e noticed I can feel the string wiht my lips. I'm using a basic tab with a table at the moment, but have been thinking of trying one where my thumb would be on top, not sure about that at the moment though.

Thanks, for the advice so far, I'm still listening

[Murray]

Video your form so that you can see first-hand what's happening, in the absence of a coach. You can "commentate" the arrow position on the target during the filming so that your post analysis can give you some clues as to cause and effect.

Good luck!

[geoffretired]

If you pull to the same place on your face every time, you are making a good start. The variables then are more to do with posture. You can tilt the head towards the string and that will shorten the draw; head movement is to be avoided.
The bow hand can be moved nearer your head or further away by bending the arm or straightening it.Better kept straight on every shot.
The other cause of inconsistent draw length is the position of the bow shoulder.
If it stays down,fine. If it lifts; all goes pear shaped. Learning to keep that shoulder down can take time but is time well spent.

[Fugue]

Bow shoulder positioning is very important, the front shoulder is very flexible and can add or reduce your draw length significantly just by positioning.

The best way to boost consistancy of your shooting is to develop a shot sequence which you repeat on every shot. Areas to concentrate on which will improve draw length consistancy would be your bow shoulder, front arm position, head position, drawing back to a consistant anchor point and maintaining pressure through the shot. Consistant timing can also help a great deal, but that takes a lot of practice.

Clickers are a great benefit in maintaining draw length but they come with there own set of problems...

[TWIW]

Originally Posted by Schme1440

Its all about practicing correct draw length. Clickers are a great tool for aiding consistant draw length.

No they aren't - see other thread

Originally Posted by Schme1440

One thing you need to make sure id you keep the pressure on at full draw. Too many people bring the string to there chin then either let the bow arm collapse or the draw arm colapses or both. you need to keep pulling other wise it will be very difficult to keep the draw consistant. your bow is always trying to shorten your draw and shoot the arrow. You need to exert more force to keep the string at full draw. Just stopping your draw and hopeing it will stay still will not work. Simple answer is to keep drawing the bow and expanding.

Yep. Try this:

Imagine that there is a wall 1/4" away from you behind your drawing elbow and in line with your shoulder. You are trying to touch this wall all the time you are aiming the bow by rotating your elbow. (Not pulling with your arm).

To help you get an archer to stand behind you and, when you are at full draw get them to lightly touch your elbow of your drawing arm. You should just be ablr to feel the touch and strive to maintain the feeling as you complete your aim.

C

[Marcus26]

Buy a clicker. You'll buy one in 5 years time otherwise and say 'Why didn't I do this to start with'.

I have 10 year olds using them to achieve excellent results.