Head Movement

[geoffretired]

Head movement is seen as a bad thing but several top archers do it. Most of them however , move the head and return it to its original position. That is not the same as leaning forwards over the string and not knowing when to stop.
If you know what position your head is in at the point where your references are settled, that position is a good one to use as the start position. If you move, at least you will move back again before the loose.
If you have learnt to move your head, it is almost impossible to unlearn . What is easier, is to learn something new, like keeping your chin in a certain position that is easily repeated. If you struggle with the poundage of the bow, that can easily draw attention away from what the head is doing. If drawing is not a struggle, remember to bring the string to your head not the other way round.Practise with a light weight bow can help establish good form which can then be carried over to your normal bow.Once you have managed a few times, practise the still head method as a separate session for several weeks perhaps until the new form is well established.

[N.Vodden]

i had terrible trouble with moving my head as well until 2 consecutive nights at the club, one of the top recurvers pointed it out to me and every time i did it commented on it loudly ( in a funny way, not a demoralising way! ), i soon stopped!

if i creep forwards now i hear myself thinking 'dont! youll just get told off!'

[Robin the Hood]

Originally Posted by Little Miss Purple

I was told the same about head movement - for recurve and compound.....it's not good!!! But what is the answer??? IIRC it was suggested to me to present my bow to the target and draw along my arm, keeping my head in position (it doesn't sound right when I try to write it down!). But anyway, it must've worked!

This is correct in my mind to but the only thing I would like to add is that when fully drawn myself I check a second reference and that is that the string lines down the centre of the riser.
This gives check to 2 points .
1. The tilting of the head to far forward or back.
2. It also can check as to whether the head is turned towards the target equally

[geoffretired]

Originally Posted by n vodden

if i creep forwards now i hear myself thinking 'dont! youll just get told off!'

This is very significant.
Knowing when it is happening is half the battle, putting it right when it does is the other half.
Why is moving your head so bad?? For that matter, why do so many archers do it? It seems to be a popular action with archers; like raising the bow shoulder.

[Jerry Tee]

I use the little gold coloured button inside my glasses that mounts the nose pad I keep that level with the target.

[LineCutter]

Originally Posted by pHz

frangilli for one has his head all over the place prior to coming to anchor - is that just part of his 'heresy' though ?

(on a sidenote - anyone know if his book is worth reading ? )

slainte : rob

He hooks his thumb behind his neck, so has to move his head to get to the anchor position.

Yes the book's worth reading, but like all expert books needs to be understood & then adapted to your style.

As for the head movement, you could try a B.E.S.T. style draw & approach the reference point from below.

[worthipa]

Originally Posted by pHz

frangilli for one has his head all over the place prior to coming to anchor - is that just part of his 'heresy' though ?

(on a sidenote - anyone know if his book is worth reading ? )

slainte : rob

In my opinion it certainly is worth reading, read that, then read it again from start to finish rather than dipping in and out, then read Kisik Lee's "Total Archery" then practice what you've read, and you're all set.

[LineCutter]

SNAP!

[Little Miss Purple]

Originally Posted by Robin the Hood

This is correct in my mind to but the only thing I would like to add is that when fully drawn myself I check a second reference and that is that the string lines down the centre of the riser.
This gives check to 2 points .
1. The tilting of the head to far forward or back.
2. It also can check as to whether the head is turned towards the target equally

I must admit that since shooting the compound and checking out the bubble, the string picture with the recurve has become more obvious. I can't say as I've really noticed it before.

On a side note, any movements in my head when wearing sunglasses is obvious due to obscured vision if I'm not correctly anchored

[King Custard]

Originally Posted by pHz

not sure head movement BEFORE anchor is that bad - watching top level olympic archers a few of them seem to have extraordinary ways of contorting their heads and necks to get into their anchor position

slainte : rob

Exactly! just what I was thinking

it looks to me like they are stretching the tension from the neck muscles to come to a relaxed and comfortable 'floating' position. Attempting to not make a bigger issue than necessary - I'd say just try relaxing a bit more on the shot and maybe add a couple of dozen gentle but full head twists (both ways)into a daily stretch program, to improve mobilty.
Right or wrong my shot set up includes a quick mental 'feel' check to see that my spine is straight and vertical pre and pro draw- this includes the neck even though the neck is twisted toward the target.
Standing Tall- Drawing (all the way) to the Jaw might become your buzz phrase!