your shooting position?

[joetapley]

Jammed05

The simplest explanation is that your tilting your body backwards when you are drawing (consequence of the weight of the bow). Practice drawing in front of a mirror to check (no arrow of course).

Could be your new bow has a higher draw weight then before so there's bit of collipso collapso lifting the bow shoulder. Getting the bow balanced properly with stabilisers will help as well as lots of (muscle devt) practice.

To help keep the shoulder down contract the bow arm triceps when drawing.

If all all else fails ask a coach.

PS You should never grip a bow - it should be free to go forward after the shot.

[JohnK]

Just wanted to add something here about the whole low bow shoulder thing.

I can get my bow shoulder low. Very, very low. However, in doing so it is also set back, i.e. some distance from the arrow at full draw, which means my shoulder line isn't in line with the bow arm. With my bow shoulder set more or less correctly, it is actually higher, although not collapsed.

This is very difficult to explain in a text medium. There's really no substitute for a competent coach who can show you in person, and preferably take photos of you (from above, if possible).

[joetapley]

The bow shoulder should be as close to the arrow as clearance permits. Is there a coach in the house!

[Rik]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Just wanted to add something here about the whole low bow shoulder thing.

I can get my bow shoulder low. Very, very low. However, in doing so it is also set back, i.e. some distance from the arrow at full draw, which means my shoulder line isn't in line with the bow arm. With my bow shoulder set more or less correctly, it is actually higher, although not collapsed.

This is very difficult to explain in a text medium. There's really no substitute for a competent coach who can show you in person, and preferably take photos of you (from above, if possible).

I find the easiest way to describe the position is to get someone to stand up straight, then (while still standing straight) relax their shoulders and let their arms dangle loose. Shoulders in line and down... If they still can't feel it, get them to keep that position, hunch their shoulders up (for contrast) then let them relax.

[geoffretired]

I agree with Max and the light bow. Make the situation learner friendly.
Drawing the bow with the hands higher than the shoulders to start with helps to get the feel for it. I had problems as a beginner, like many others, when I moved to compound, the shoulder almost dropped into place by itself. I believed this was partly due to the light holding weight. That made me think that using a low poundage bow would be a good training aid; I take one with me when I'm helping people with that shoulder difficulty.

[Bald Eagle]

I use a 3lb draw weight "failed"longbow lam when I'm coaching. You can get the student to draw back, hold forever while you explain where the shoulder and arm should be, also they can loose without an arrow on the bow without fear of doing any harm to self or "bow", then they can try and do the same with their own set up and come back to the light bow occasionally for practice.

[jammed05]

just to say thanks ive just got back from shooting after about 2 hours. and i took everyones advice. getting there slowly.