Draw Length - Change???

Chain2 · February 07, 2012, 07:55:00 PM

In my quest to get the right arrow combination, I have got the impression from lots of people that I might not be shooting my Hill bow correctly. Most of them can't believe my draw length. I asked my wife to mark my arrow at full draw and it is a heavy 31 1/4 " from throat of nock to front of riser. Should I change my form, bend my elbow more, hunch over a little bit so I can shoot shorter arrows ? I have read that Howard Hill adapted to arrow length in his day. Thank you

Cookus · February 07, 2012, 08:29:00 PM

Pictures may help the Hill guys diagnose this a little better... Good luck!

gringol · February 07, 2012, 08:31:00 PM

How tall are you? I'm imagining Wilt Chamberlin with a bow...

Trumpkin the Dwarf · February 07, 2012, 08:46:00 PM

does the heel of your palm touch the handle of the bow?

atatarpm · February 07, 2012, 10:28:00 PM

I have a 31 5 inch draw. The best thing I can tell you is this look at Terry's form clock then draw you bow to match his form. I've tried several things to shorten my draw until I looked at Terry's clock and matched it. My draw stayed the same and my shooting improved. No matter how many people said I could not have that long of a draw. The forearm needs to line up with the arrow. If your forearm is behind the arrow you are over drawing if in front of the arrow you are under drawing.

atatarpm · February 07, 2012, 10:31:00 PM

Then again maybe I'm a knockle draggger

JamesKerr · February 07, 2012, 11:25:00 PM

I second looking at Terry's clock form.

Looper · February 07, 2012, 11:37:00 PM

There is no possible way to know that without seeing pictures, or, better yet, a video of you shooting. Don't get too hung up on what other's say your draw length should be if they haven't seen you shoot.

February 08, 2012, 04:55:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by looper:
There is no possible way to know that without seeing pictures, or, better yet, a video of you shooting. Don't get too hung up on what other's say your draw length should be if they haven't seen you shoot.

Getting "hung up" on others' opinions is probably not what is going on here. Chain is trying to sift through the feedback he is getting and that can be a confusing effort.

I am one that has walked that path having shot trad since the early 60s and have taken the last eight months learning how to shoot a Hill correctly....developing a good shooting system that will be repeatable and consistent in a truly "instinctive" way takes time and practice.

If you want to shoot and enjoy a Hill then study the Hill shooters. There is a huge difference in form.

dragonheart · February 08, 2012, 06:28:00 AM

There is a basic form for shooting a Hill bow. Bent arm, shoulder aligned with target. If you can get a copy of the DVD Hitting them like Howard Hill it gives you the basics of shooting form. Draw length is measured shooting the bow. Drawing the bow back and marking it, does not give and accurate measurement. Mark an arrow with different colored lines (sharpie) and have someone watch to see where you actually draw and release at. If you can do a video it helps alot.

Chain2 · February 08, 2012, 07:44:00 AM

We are going to try and post a video this weekend. I am a computer idiot. What do you mean by "forearm behind the arrow"? Thank you

Night Wing · February 08, 2012, 08:02:00 AM

If you've got a 31 1/4" draw length, don't change your form. Get a long length bow that fits you.

In other words, "if" I had a 31 1/4" draw length, I would shoot a 70"-72" longbow and/or I'd special order a 68" Brackenbury Legend recurve from Bill Howland.

lpcjon2 · February 08, 2012, 08:35:00 AM

What is your anchor point? and if you shoot split finger try your middle finger in the corner of your mouth as an anchor.

Chain2 · February 08, 2012, 09:19:00 AM

I have a 70" Hill Wesley Special. I shoot 3-under. I anchor three places, thumb at earlobe, index finger in the corner of my mouth and my nose touches the fletch. Thank you