Head Movement

[Emma]

Anyone any tips on how I can keep my head still when coming to anchor at full draw ? I keep sneaking my nose forward a couple of millimetres (apart from getting a bigger nose of course ............)

[Des]

Originally Posted by Emma

Anyone any tips on how I can keep my head still when coming to anchor at full draw ? I keep sneaking my nose forward a couple of millimetres (apart from getting a bigger nose of course ............)

Maybe try keeping your chin up a little, then try keeping your neck and head still with your eyes on the target as you draw??

[TJ Mason]

Dipping my head forward has been a big problem for me.

The way I've been addressing it, fairly successfully, is by using the sternocleidomastoideus as a reference. This is the big tendon that runs up your neck and sticks out when your head's upright and back. At full draw, I touch it with the tip of my little finger. If I can find the sterno... er, tendon OK and it feels firm and distinct, I can be confident that my head's in the right position. If I can't find it easily or it feels vague, chances are I've dipped my head forward.

(This is with a side anchor, of course. Wouldn't work with a centre-of-face anchor.)

[MINIMike]

I have a pronounced problem with head movement prior to anchor. It's a bit like I'm doing an impersonation of Mr McKay from porridge!

I found that I'm concentrating so hard on not moving my head that I'm totally forgetting to involve my shoulder at any point in the draw.

Having said that, I did a 2nd class score yesterday so maybe I'm on to something.........

[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

[MINIMike]

I'd tend to go along with that Rob. It occurs to me that, providing I'm consistently anchoring and the string picture is the same every time, it doesn't matter what I do with my head.

However, the ONLY bit of coaching I've had suggested that any head movement is A Bad Thing.

I don't know. It's all too confusing.

[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!

[yawazz]

i don't want to sound flippant but don't move your head.if you know it moves and your aware of it then don't .try shooting with your eyes closed (with the help of another archer) you'll be surprised at the results. Stand about ten yards away from boss , line yourself up close your eyes , raise bow until other archer tells you your at the right hight and then shoot. I don't know if its because you cant see the string but you very rarely reach forward for the string,. get to know what it feels like then open your eyes. hope it works (it did for me and others in our club) good shooting.

[Bald Eagle]

The only time you should move your head is when you turn it to look at the gold before you come up to full draw!. Bring the string to your reference, not the reference to the string. On loosing, your head should be in the same position with your eyes fixed on gold throughout the shot sequence until the arrow has hit gold. If you can remember this sequence your scores will improve.

[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