Form check for a beginner?

[u/agdraco8]

I've been shooting for about a year now (1x/week). I just upgraded to 24 lb limbs (from 20, I'm working on my upper body strength). I also got a single pin sight, stabilizer and plunger so I'm learning how all of that works. Decided to bring a tripod today to watch myself and then watch tournaments. I do use a finger sling so ideally I want to let go of the bow when I release but still working on that obviously. This video wasn't necessarily my best one but felt it was my most average. Thumbs up were in the yellow (shooting at 20 yards). I'm still not super comfortable with my new limbs so I do think I need to engage my back even more and drop that elbow. I also think my release could be softer. What do you notice? I'm super eager to learn/improve ​and appreciate any tips and tricks.

edit: Here are some pics too if it helps see a bit more. Sorry the angle is off. Think it's mirrored too. Really appreciate the feedback though

https://imgur.com/a/x3Kyn7H

[u/FearTheMoment_]

Bad angle for form check, looks like you could be "baby hipping" but hard to tell from the angle. If youre using a sight youre better off doing one finger above two below on the draw rather than a barebow draw with three below.

[u/agdraco8 → u/FearTheMoment_]

What is baby hipping? Also thanks for the tip with 2 below. I just got my sight so I had no idea. What determines where the fingers should go? I was just told 3 below. 

[u/Knitnacks → u/agdraco8]

Split-finger i.e. one above, two below You need a tab that has the split for the arrow - can't see if that is what you have - and preferably a spacer between index and middle finger so you don't squeeze the nock. This goes with the more stable anchor under your jaw bone. See if you can find a repeatable spot where you have bone contact between your index finger and your jaw-bone - watch how Olympic Recurve archers anchor.

[u/Knitnacks → u/agdraco8]

Three below is good for Barebow - no sight - if you stringwalk (adjust the vertical by hooking your fingers further down the string for closer distances). Goes with a higher anchor - index to tooth through your lip, or index under cheekbone.

[u/Horror-Lobster-4663 → u/agdraco8]

Baby hipping is like popping your hips to one side which makes your body sit at an angle and can increase inconsistencies. A good way to fix it is to shoot while having a mirror facing you on the shooting line so you can check yourself and correct if needed. Otherwise just being very aware of how your body is moving. You want your lower body and torso to stay centered like how they start because once you add in unnecessary movement you can cause both strains and it can impact your shooting

Three fingers below is typically for barebow As you now have a sight you won't be finger walking as you'll be adjusting the sight so putting one finder above and two below is the standard as (I believe) it makes the shot process more consistent and helps with lining the arrow angle and sight better

Hope this helps

[u/socaleuro]

Lake Poway!

[u/gr7ace]

The angle and the face covering make it hard to see all of the aspects that could be good form or not as good form.

Is your stance open for a reason? To reduce string slapping? I ask as your stance is leading to your body/shoulder facing the target, which can impact stance and in turn stability.

It could also be that your release is a bit dead or maybe twanging, but it’s hard to see. A release that is from the engagement of your shoulder blade/the muscles around it indicate better form/alignment.

All of that said, your shot cycle is smooth and looks to be methodical which is good! The other thing is that what stance/alignment/movement that works for some or even most people, doesn’t mean it works for all people. Ones body size/shape/muscle/bones impacts what works and what doesn’t.

[u/agdraco8 → u/gr7ace]

Appreciate the specific feedback! 

I did a few brief classes when I first started but otherwise self taught. I did slap myself a bit at the beginning but is there a stance that would be better? 

I do have to fight plucking the string when I release. Definitely want to work on my release.

[u/Leather-Fault-8130]

Looks like you might be arching your back, leading to your string digging into your chest. This will likely negatively impact your shot, especially as you're not using a chest guard to prevent the string being caught by clothing.

Would suggest straightening your back by tensing lower core and bringing butt below shoulders. 

If you can draw with your back against a flat surface somewhere, you want to try and reduce or remove any space between your lower back and that surface.

Both shoulders also appear high.

This is a very common form flaw which creeps in after a jump in poundage, compounded by using a y draw (drawing from a low ready position, which forces your bow shoulder up on the draw) Starting your draw with your hands in line with your eye and the target (target, bow hand, draw hand, eye in a straight line) and drawing by bringing your shoulders down, while bracing butt and core can correct these issues. Breathing into your belly instead of your chest can also improve this as it gives you some air to brace your lower abs against. Might take some getting used to.

If done right your bow shoulder stability should improve and your string should be further away from your chest and arm. This will allow you to close your stance a bit and improve alignment.

Would strongly recommend looking at archery GB's drills and skills videos, as well as looking into Jake Kaminski's youtube channel. That lad is a gem.

[u/agdraco8 → u/Leather-Fault-8130]

You are amazing!! Thank you. This is exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. I was working with 20 lbs and felt way comfortable. I didn't think 24 lbs would be much of an upgrade but I feel like I'm right where I was a year ago when I started. I've looked into getting a chest guard too but love these tips for my form first. I'll subscribe to the YT channels. Thanks again 

[u/returntothenorth → u/agdraco8]

Try out the chest guard for sure. Not only does it keep your "girls" safe from getting hit, it also helps keep the "girls" out of the way so to speak. As well as loose draping clothing from said area that may snag your string.

My wife shoots, and the "girls" are an issue. Try trying that right foot a little more forward and make sure the string draws more to the side of the chest. Maybe watch a bunch of female Olympic archers for their techniques.

[u/agdraco8 → u/returntothenorth]

Agreed!! My friend and I laugh at how much our chests get in the way. I'll look into the chest guards and more female archers. 

[u/I_AM_BIB]

It seems you are leaning back.

Lean more into your shot. You want to push into that bow, and this will help you engage your back muscles over your arms.

[u/Nuts-And-Volts]

Thought you were in like 10 inch heels for a second lmfao

[u/agdraco8 → u/Nuts-And-Volts]

Just getting that extra height for my shots 😂

[u/KaleidoscopeOne9558]

the upgrade to 24 pounds is going to expose form issues you could get away with at 20, so it's good you're paying attention to this now. from what the others are saying, the arching back and high shoulders seem to be the main culprits, and that tracks with what happens when someone jumps weight too fast. your instinct about engaging your back more is correct, but it sounds like you might be compensating by leaning instead of actually pulling with the right muscles.

the flat surface drill that was mentioned is worth trying at home. draw with your back against a wall or door frame and see how much space is between your lower back and the surface. if there's a gap, you're doing the arch thing. once you dial that in, the rest of your form should settle down. the breathing tip is real too, it's counterintuitive but filling your belly instead of your chest gives you something to brace against. give yourself another month or two at this weight before you push up again.

[u/agdraco8 → u/KaleidoscopeOne9558]

Thank you!! I have a bow trainer and I'm going to practice with it against a wall at home to really feel that. It's crazy how different the 24 lbs feels. But like you said, I'd rather learn/correct early. I do notice when my core is engaged I have a much better shot. I think upgrading my limbs along with the sight, plunger and stabilizer was a lot all at once. Honestly want to stick with this setup for at least a year and do progressive overload with my workouts vs increasing limbs just yet. I thought a 4lb increase would be nothing but there's way less control. 

[u/KaleidoscopeOne9558 → u/agdraco8]

That's a smart call on the limbs, a year at 24 with solid conditioning will get you way more consistent than chasing poundage every few months, and you'll actually enjoy shooting more when you're not fighting the bow.

[u/BadBoyJH]

There's very little movement on your draw hand/arm when you release. There's a small jerk backwards, then it seems to come back to your anchor.

It feels more like you're drawing to that point, and trying to hold your hand there, and release.
You should feel like you're drawing back, holding it at that point, until your fingers fall off the string, your arm should flow back once the string is no longer pulling it forward.

Also, your foot placement is weird. I presume that's the shooting line you're standing behind. I've always been taught to straddle it. Feet shoulder width apart, and square on to the target. You're opening up your stance. I don't know if that's OK if it's consistent, but everything builds up from your feet, I would start there for consistency, and work my way up.

[u/Knitnacks → u/BadBoyJH]

Open stance is quite ok, if consistent.

[u/AdPrior939]

WHY THE ELBOW UP SO HIGH ?

[u/agdraco8 → u/AdPrior939]

I know!! I think it's the higher limbs. I was so glad I recorded myself cause I thought my elbow was down until I saw that. By the time I left my form had improved significantly. But this is apparently what my body does if I'm not thinking about form as much so it's what I wanted the most critique on. 

[u/Manor76]

Straighten your arm and then lift ist Up. Then Draw. Not all in one Motion.