What is the best proper form for shooting a bow?.....answer, the style that works best for YOU.

Many good shooters when they release, their hand comes back and touches the shoulder. This is a good style but like any style of shooting it must be performed consistently to result in consistent shooting.

Over the years I've tried just about every style of shooting that came down the pike. The style that I stayed with and works the best for me is the "Dead Release" Howard Hill described it as "both hands do nothing".

Many years ago I watched a man named Jim Pickering shoot at the International Indoor Open in Detroit Michigan. Jim shot with the Dead Release style while nearly every one else was shooting what was called back then, "Power Archery". The Power Archery style was an explosive release with the hand flying back along the shoulder.

I watched as Jim shot arrow after arrow. When he released nothing moved except the limbs of the bow. His release hand stayed on his face, his head never moved and his bow hand also remained stationary with a loose grip on the bow.

Back then this was almost an unorthodox style for a serious target shooter but on that day Jim Pickering beat everyone there.

So what is the best proper form for shooting a bow?....the form/style that works best for you.

A shooting problem that a lot of people do without realizing is lifting their head to watch the arrow fly. It's called "peeking" The problem with peeking is that sometimes the head is lifted just before the release which causes the shot to be pushed or pulled off target.

Watch the head after the shot in line with the trees in the background. Hand against the face, bow arm extended, loose grip on the bow letting it do it's reaction after the shot

I definitely agree on shooting the style/form that works for you. I like the tip on "peeking". I don't have that problem with my bow but am guilty as heck of it with my flintlock sometimes. Good pics, thanks Ron.

I'm a peeker for sure. That's about the only conscious thing I think about in regard to form. So I pretend ( adults don't use that word enough. Bringing it back) that my bow arm has to guide that arrow in.

Never thought about "peeking". Now ya got me wondering if I do it!

I thought it was Schulz who said upon release both hands do nothing. Course he was Howard's student.

Peeking. The head comes up, the bow hand/arm usually responds by going down...or otherwise. Learned about that some forty-five or so years ago. That's why I refer to it as following through with the shot. What's comfortable to you, and consistent, repeatable form, doesn't have to look like what everyone else does.

Ron, you do look rock solid. >>>-----> Ken

I have also come to the same conclusion. Upon release, both hands do nothing. Took me a lot of years to get there, but that seems to work best for me.

Looking at my nose in relation to the dirt pile. It looks like the cameraman moved sightly. 8>)

Proper form is repeatable. If you do the same thing every time, results should be the same.

Understanding the components of the shot helps you figure out what you are *not* doing the same every shot.

Yes Dan, that's what I said in my first post

"any style of shooting must be performed consistently to result in consistent shooting."

Nothing to add to your opening post here Ron. You about said it all!

Ron, how do you aim?

Ron glad to see you back shooting after surg. What bow r u shooting. LQQk's small in your hands especially in that second pic.

Just to be clear, consistent form does not equate to proper form. Proper form consistently employed is what you are looking for and produces desired results.

Larry, proper form is sometimes misinterpreted to mean a "classic" style. In my years of competitive field and target archery I witnessed many top shooters successfully competing at the top of their class using an unorthodox (non classic) style of shooting.

One person in particular that comes to mind is Jim Caspers. When Jim reached his anchor he would pump his drawing arm up and down. I always assumed it was his way of pumping up back tension Jim had found the "proper form" that worked for HIM.

Instead of trying to totally emulate another's style, experiment to try and find what might improve your shooting. When you find it you will have found the proper form for YOU

"Ron glad to see you back shooting after surg. What bow r u shooting. LQQk's small in your hands especially in that second pic".

Jim, it's a Great Northern "Little Creep" I borrowed it from a guy to try out when we were shooting on the practice line. He's the one that took the pictures

"Ron, how do you aim?"

Joel I pick a spot and concentrate on it. Some call that instinctive. I do use the point of my arrow sometimes on long shots. I do what ever it takes to hit what I'm shooting at.

Agreed.

I must admit - I'm a peeker. Just love to watch the arrow fly to the mark, and is the hardest thing of all for me to control.

Rick

The first deer I killed with a (compound) bow, I peeked. 8 pointer was standing broadside, I was aiming behind his shoulder and my arrow went through his carotid artery because I peeked rather than following through. Lucky shot to say the least!

Patrick, that's a natural movement when the presure is released from pushing against the bow, it doesn't interfere with the shot

I remember watching Jim Pickering shoot and marveled how smooth and movement free at the release he was.

Good advice, Ron. Great to see you shooting. Jawge

I always remarked about that is lifting up to peek. Have to stay down on bow and force myself at times. Great advice Ron.

When peek the arrow goes high and a mis.

Make yourself keep your eyes on the spot your shooting at, you'll see the arrow when it gets there.

I used to allow my hand to go back after release, but for the last ten years I shoot a dead release, nothing moves not even the bow because I have a firm grip on it.

This way if nothing moves then nothing is effected.

Good point Ron

Did you ever see someone shoot who fakes the hand going back thing?

There's a couple videos of shooters at ETAR on the courses. They all do it. They release, then remember "hey I gotta throw my hand back like I know what I'm doing". It's hilarious!

Yeah Red, I noticed that too. Obviously a late fake conscious movement. Funny.

Good thread, Ron.

Thanks Ron great advice on finding your own way. I've read all the books over the years and found myself trying to shoot like G Fred or whoever it might be. Took me a long time to find my own way. I'm not the best shot out there by far but enjoying the journey. Happy Easter guy's. He has risen!

The Wilhelms for example.

God stuff Ron.

Proper form: the “formal form” someone adapts to himself, once the results are there. I see too many new shooters shooting first time a bow to take someone seriously when they said they have a shooting sequence in them. “Proper form” for this type of shooter is short-drawing with the arrow nock at the tip of the nose. Peeking is the last thing someone talks about.

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