The Shakes........Any ideas?

[Brack Shooter 32]

I am notorious for having the shakes at full draw. Once I hit anchor I tend to hold for a second or two to let everything settle and for my release to happen.The Shakes happen regardless of bow weight so I know it is not due to pulling too much weight (I have bows ranging from 45 to 60 #'s).My current go to bow is a 52# recurve. I have ruled out target panic etc as I have no problem with my form or mentally executing the shot. I just can not pin-point what is causing me to shake at full draw. Could it be form related? Maybe using the bicep instead of my back uscles? I just can't seem to figure it out and wanted to throw this out there and see if anyone had any ideas.

[Bowhuntah]

Try to relax through your breathing and concentrate more on your breathing to take your mind off "the Shakes" It's most likely your nerves. Also diet can give you the shakes... too much caffeine, blood sugar level, etc..
  Try eating a PB&J sandwich, relax through breathing exercises and then see if your draw smooths out.

[Terry Green]

The shakes come from when you totally STOP pulling....even if you 'hold' for a couple of seconds, if you will slightly creep back and continue rearward tension you wont get the shakes.

[sdpeb1]

Some of us are just shakey. I'm the same way. From shooting compounds I learned not to try hard to hold steady, I would let the pin float and the release happens when you are on subconscously. I kind of do the same thing with my trad bow. -Steve

Terry may be on to something for you.  You said, ...you tend to hold for a second or two.  The "hold" should be ACTIVE (always pulling back)--not stationary.  Give it a whirl and let us know how it goes.

[tim roberts]

Dang, I tried to constantly pull and the shakes went away!!!!  Now if I could only remember to hold my arm steady after the shot, I would be doing a lot better.
Thanks Terry for the little tip!  

[AllenR]

That's very good advice from Terry.  I went to a seminar with Olympic coach Kisik Lee a few years ago.  He teaches the same thing.  In fact it's a key part of the BEST system.  

Never stop the pull.  Once you hit anchor, the pull is mostly internal.  Someone watching won't see it unless they know what to look for, but it is continuous from the start of the draw through to the end of follow through.

Terry, this is something that I had forgotten and needed reminding.  Thank you!

Allen

[Rob DiStefano]

terry nailed it - this is basic archery form, the push-pull anchor is always in 'motion', with yer back handling most of the load.  

and, if yer not working yer back, yer probably short drawing, and that's not to yer benefit.

[canshooter]

Just a thought, but could shakes be a form issue? I would think that shakes come from muscles and if you are anchoring bone on bone the muscles arent being over used.