Form question. Since beginning with a recurve last November, I finally have achieved some level of consistency with shot placement. I can hit the kill zone on my 3D deer every time from 20y
My draw length is now 30" (matching my compound). Previously I was only at 28", as I wasn't anchoring appropriately.
Now for my question: All things mentioned previously, I noticed my drawing arm elbow is high. Not something I do with my compound. I've experimented lowering it, and my anchor seems "off." Is a high elbow a common "phenomenon"?
Please post a picture for Gods sakes of your elbow. We cannot answer if we can't see a picture of how high your elbow is.
Ideally you want a straight line from the point of the arrow through to the tip of your elbow. I believe with a high elbow you are putting downward pressure of your drawing hand which can adversely affect your release.
What Pat said. Also, that pressure can cause a callous/pain on the drawing hand ring finger. I'm surprised that your draw with a stickbow is as long as it was with a compound. Most people lose an inch or two of draw length when they switch. Are you using a very upright, closed target stance?
I should add that a high elbow also an indicator of a draw mostly using arm muscles rather than back muscles.
It's somewhat common but I've seen some exceptional shooters with elbow high.
I used to have a high elbow, and a big callous on my drawing hand ring finger. (I shoot split finger.) That put pressure on the nock, almost flexing the arrow downward at full draw. I had a lot of arrow flight problems. In recent years I've been focusing on less pressure on the ring finger, and pull predominantly with my index and middle fingers. My elbow has come down quite a bit, I think it's much more in line as it should be now. I made these videos for a bowyer a couple of years ago, to show my current draw and shooting style... but my previous high elbow was fixed by adjusting my finger pressure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6mcJDKllwQ
https://youtu.be/GTSHYgo9HyE
What Pat B says is correct. However, when I see photos illustrating this, the elbow looks a bit high to me, but I guess it really isn't. Too low of an elbow has problems too, because it results in a downward pull that results in a high miss. The secret is to have a consistent elbow position from shot to shot. A little too high, a little too low is not a problem; the problem is high on one shot and low on the next. If there is an elbow position that is comfortable for you, that is probably the position you should choose and stick with, as long as it is not extremely high or low.
McDave is right, key is consistency, not what someone else tells you is good form. I get the big callous on my ring finger shooting split, like Archie mentioned. I don't think I shoot high elbow, but maybe. I've tried to change finger pressure, but I can't shoot as well. I guess I've been doing it this way for 40 years or so, and it is just the way I shoot.
R
Everyones bone structure is different, so shooting well with a high elbow is possible......but idealy a straight line is what you are looking for.