Draw Shoulder Technique - Reduce Injury Risk and Increase Efficiency

Draw shoulder technique is so important - learn key elements in this video.
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The draw shoulder is such an important part of the recurve shot, but there are some things that can really compromise achieving the right motion, and the right position.
In this video I look at some factors that can affect the way you draw your bow, draw shoulder health, and even increase the risk of developing pain or an injury in the shoulder.
Enjoy, and thanks for watching!
----------TIMESTAMPS----------
00:00 - Intro
00:36 - Don't let your bow compromise the draw shoulder
01:00 - Positions that increase draw shoulder load
03:00 - Ensuring draw shoulder health with shorter predraw
04:35 - THE FEELING
05:00 - Importance of draw hand position on the draw shoulder
06:15 - YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS PART
09:52 - Finding the shoulder position for you
11:24 - Keeping the core and head position
13:05 - A note about trying to get a "low" draw shoulder
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[@rafaelstarling2354]

I was having some draw shoulder issues on today's training. Couldn't have watched a better video! Cheers Ashe, thx a lot!

[@DavidGonzalez-ek3zh]

TY. Really helpful even with compound bow and release aid. Great stuff!

[@johnbailey520]

Lots to think about and analyze in this super post. I have only been shooting for 6 months or so. Lately my grouping has improved but have started feeling some shoulder discomfort in the draw shoulder. When you spoke of the draw hand too close to the bow arm it rang an alarm. Something I have started doing and who knows, it may be part of the problem. It was helpful that you did not try to show a one way only to draw but rather thoughts on what is important in keeping the shoulder as neutral as possible. Hope to fix this because shooting is a great deal of fun!

[@emilycavell4531]

Fantastic video! I've had pain in my draw shoulder for the past 6 years and my set up is very short, like you explained here. I'll definitely give your suggestions a try with my coach and see if we can resolve the pain issue!

[@whitehat7900]

Most of the coach are missed to notice this issue early in their student, because its easy to visually ignore

[@whitehat7900]

Thank you so much for the perfect video. I have been suffering from the shoulder pain because of the bow compromised my drawing hand hopefully hereafter my pain will be settle down.

[@DESIGNHERE]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@Andy-M.1833]

Fantastic video, great explanation!!!

[@PhilippeOrlando]

Excellent video, thanks!

[@timgazes5909]

Great video again Ashe 👍

[@jameshoward9700]

Thanks for this excellent video! I've just returned to archery after 4 years off for a substantial motorcycle injury and am now shooting my daughter's old 16lb limbs with pride (down from 42lb target recurve, 50lb bare, 60lb compound). Apart from weakness, I've also been experiencing a lot of clunking (can't be good!), so yesterday moved to a more open draw which I see you explain here. This seems to open the shoulder and stop the clunking, but I haven't yet got the muscle memory to do it reliably.. I want to get a good technique on the little limbs before I start the long road back to a 30lb+ draw weight, so I shall follow your advice here formally (great to have by back-yard experimentations confirmed!). Thanks for the advice!

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Hey James! I'm glad you were ok after the accident and now fully on the way to recovery! It sounds like you've got exactly the right idea, keep working with the light limbs first and then transfer to the heavy limbs gradually :) Keep working on it :)

[@darwinia8]

This content is superb! I'm a beginner, admittedly, but this has changed how I approach the process. I haven't heard much about front alignment,; this video clarifies and elucidates. I also appreciate your attention to injury avoidance. Too many sports deemphasize this to the detriment of their participating athletes. Thank you for your work.

[@aabarcellos]

Very important . Shoulder neutral and humerus vertical and band training useful.

[@mattSmith-lm3oz]

Thanks a lot for all this detailed info. I've recently been working on keeping a nice line of my draw arm but do find my grip sometimes feels a little unstable at the start of my draw. This info will really help 👍👍👍👍👍

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching again Matt! This is a great point about the stability of the bow grip, and is something I need to cover in another video - take a look at the set position section of my site, and it might clear up a few bits. Having the shoulders open to the target, and having the longrod angled slightly left, as well as the position of the bow at the set are really important to allow you to get a more stable feeling.

[@johnburken7788]

I liked this clip. I was doing it wrong and shot cycle was not smooth. Thanks for the input.

[@yangdu3243]

Excellent tips. Thank you! I’m suffering shoulder pain for a month now. It started when I was eager to climb up the levels. I blame myself for not knowing how to use scapular before. May I ask, when should I start to engage scapular? During the set up, or drawing to anchor? My injured muscle is around the upper edge of deltoid. Thank you!

[@XXXston3wallXXX]

Thank you

[@sonjakilb6832]

Thanks for the great and detailed video! You always explain it very well. It is really helpful.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

No worries at all - thanks for watching Sonja! Glad it was helpful :)

[@9422324635]

@@OnlineArcheryAcademy hi

[@ThoseWhoDare]

Very good explanation of a complicated move 🙏🏼

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful :)

[@user-xt4hr1ji6u]

It's kinda like a KSL system what your describing. He uses a diagonal draw too. Would you agree? Great video. Simple for all levels of archers to follow.

[@WM-jy9dz]

That's an excellent tutorial 👍👍👍! One question so: I assume that all this applies also for compound shooters (different draw cycle at the end / different holding weights) ?

[@jeongheejin15]

good video!

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Thanks! To anyone reading these comments, go and sub to this account! ^^ There are English subtitles too!

[@user-ei3er6yb6k]

Spasibo.

[@andycomerford7891]

I'm a newer archer (1 year). I feel like I may have my draw arm a little too far in to the bow shoulder, as I think my wrist isn't quite straight when it comes up through set up. Also feel like from what youve said, I may be putting a little to much in to the pre draw. So will try some adjustments on these on the range, many thanks! Great video.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Awesome, let me know how you get on with the adjustments :) Making sure the shoulders are slightly open to the target at the start can help with both the points you mention above too :)

[@hippiehans]

Great video, as always! Love this! Thank you! 🙌✨🎯

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Awesome, you're very welcome! Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching again :)

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

I'm a noob but this sounds like good advice. I'll try to be more efficient in my draw shoulder. Thanks

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

No worries! Glad it helps :)

[@srishtijaiswal4679]

Thanks alot sir😍l feel like you have solved my half of the problem as this was the main area which I was worried about for a couple of days.

[@srishtijaiswal4679]

My bow hand upper traps are stiffed and that's why at anchor position my ellbow is too high instead of being parllel and aligned. Thanks alot 🌟😍😍☺👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

@@srishtijaiswal4679 Always happy to help Srishti! Thanks for watching again :)

[@user-sy4ip3di2o]

How to do that with a compound? Its impossible to draw the bow without leting the shoulder stretch abit forward....

[@MrCGangsta]

thx was wondering why my shoulder is rumbling when I draw ... keeping my shoulder back fixed it

[@rickmansberger4136]

Good video, FYI the background jingle is a distraction

[@mehulchauhan3627]

I am facing hook losing ... Problem ..plez share video on it

[@MyBayker]

My draw shoulder is something I'm REALLY trying to fix for a long time, but I don't know if it's just a technical problem or a "body limitation" because it's very hard to make it even a little lower, use less upper traps and consequently don't use the scapula in the right position. Think this video will help me to figure out how to do it. Thank you! 👊😅

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

No problem Higor, thanks for watching! I don't believe there will be any "body limitation" which prevents you achieving this. That's not to say it isn't very difficult though, especially after many repetitions using the upper traps. Keep working on it and start with a band and instant feedback (such as a mirror or video feedback) to help out :)

[@zimgeo]

I appreciate your explanation. My draw shoulder has become so tight and sore as well as my upper traps. My form breakdown has occurred since January. It has gone from effortless to struggling.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Thanks for watching :) Definitely make sure to do some stretching too, and self massage with a tennis ball on the upper traps can really help too :)

[@Ragnarokgar]

My draw elbow has been giving me trouble, idk if it's related to this or not though.

[@martinMD]

Ash I've noticed a lot of coaches coaching high draws with the draw arm and elbow higher than the bow surely this isn't correct . I'm aware that the Koreans draw like this . But surely they've been perfecting this type of draw from early age with out an actual bow before they use a bow .

[@kevincraig8257]

i have trouble with my left shoulder bow shoulder my form must be all catywampus

[@normangwynn1104]

Initially, I was taught that you had to force both your shoulders downwards (kind of like the way you show it towards the end of the video). I always felt this was way too unnatural. It is one thing to maintain a good posture without raising your shoulders (the hunch-like no-no), and quite another what I was being forcefully-taught. After a while, I ended up with an injured draw shoulder because of that :( (my bow's draw weight is only 36lbs and still ended up injured)

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear you had a shoulder injury! It sounds like you're on the right path though and understanding what you need to do which is great :) As you're beginning to find, it's all about that neutral position, this gives you much more control over the shoulder joint and much more ability to feel what you're doing during the shot.

[@itsmejp75]

1000th like 👍

[@360wheelz5]

I have winged scapula. And I see it's fairly common. Can you do a video on it? My bow shoulder scapula and draw shoulder scapula stick "out" (and also comes around, so yeah that's right) but what do I do about it?

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Great point! I'll make a video on this for sure! Often it's caused by weakness - first you have to learn the movement with a band or light bow - then you can try and transfer to the heavier bow :)

[@msms7434]

'Hello Toast? Can you hear me? It's Clem Fandango'. :) Sorry, I just had to. Great video as always.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Hahaha! No worries, thanks for watching :)

[@Clayton.Thompson]

As a person who is struggling to fix poor draw form habits from my youth, I (and my right shoulder) deeply appreciate this in-depth breakdown. Thank you!

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Happy to help!

[@dewetrobertson1752]

What is the best exercise to make your shoulder stronger?

[@3796jimmy]

Sensational Ashe! Highly helpful and valuable Video although I must admit that this neutral and neutral position really states the challenge here.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Thanks so much Joe! It's such a picky part as the shoulder can move in so many different directions!

[@schumata3356]

My 10 year old daughter just got her first clicker. Can you recommend a good video on clicker technique for us to watch together?

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Hey! Thanks so much for watching :) Unfortunately, I'm yet to see a video really explaining this, but there is one coming soon that's in my queue! In the meantime though, I wrote this fairly extensive blog post previously which should explain a few things. www.onlinearcheryacademy.com/archery-technique-how-to-use-a-clicker-recurve-bow/ Depending on how long your daughter has been shooting, what her archery goals are, and where she is at with her technique development, it might actually be better to not use a clicker quite yet. I'd recommend reading the above blog post and feel free to send me an email at "[e-mail]" if you've got any questions afterwards :) I hope that helps! Ashe

[@mickleblade]

I'm not a coach, but I've always thought that the clicker is a tool and you must be control. Too many people have had bad experiences (me included) and poison the new archers mind by telling them of their problems. Be positive, and tell her of the advantages.

[@schumata3356]

Online Archery Academy Thank you!

[@shreyadas8203]

Hello sir please explain the neutral position and draw position by doing it practically. you are showing the wrong draw which is bad for shoulder so I want u to please show the correct way of draw which allows openess to the scapula and doesn't create any tension on the the draw shoulder please make video of the correct position please I want to correct my set up and draw position

[@shreyadas8203]

Sir please reply sir asap

[@koolkat123]

damn it took me too long into this video to realize it was for archery and not drawing for art lool

[@AnimaTriste]

I'm sorry, but I can't share the opinion here, that you are explaining things well. Don't get me wrong. It's more than obvious that YOU know very well, what you are talking about. And I must still point out, that I like your channel very much, and that I'm VERY GRATEFUL for your knowledge. So, this should be understood as a constructive criticism from somebody, who is also teaching and training for more than 30 years (people and animals!). Not archery, but other sports. You should know the first law of teaching: show first, what is the RIGHT way of doing and why, in as short and concise way as possible. That way you are giving a direction and an example towards which you want to move. Than you can explain all deviations and mistakes in much shorter and more grounded, meaningful way, because you showed and explained the right way first, so you can compare. A shot cycle is a behavior chain, it has steps. And learning theory (and Praxis, mind you) says, that we are learning this chains faster and more efficient by learning the LAST part first (or the part as far to the end as possible, if that is not immediately achievable). Then you are adding steps backwards to the first. It's also very, very clear, that the RIGHT way should be shown first, so we know, towards what we are striving to as trainers or trainees. Over 9 min of 15 min video a first glimpse of what it should be shown from a beginning! And then all the other information could be also added, which could then be understood much more easy. A single step can be divided further, into easy to learn and achievable steps. Your videos are getting more and more frustrating, as there is ALWAYS a lot of don't do this, and don't do that, but relatively very little of WHAT we SHOULD be DOING. And I dare to say, that it SEEMS to me, that you sometimes forget to include that altogether. And the result is here: we have a channel of a rare quality of really profound, well grounded and great knowledge, which doesn't get as much attention as it should, because it's understood and watched JUST from the most persistent AND knowledgeable audience, which then must distill (hopefully, if they can) something useful from it. It's getting frustrating, to the point of laughing trough the tears! But, I understand, that that is just how your mind works. Don't do that anymore, please. I didn't want to offend You, or anyone who think otherwise. On the contrary, I still think, that this is one of the best and most relevant Archery channels out there, and I'm still learning a lot. I really hope, that you will not be offended (or anyone else for that matter), as it really wasn't meant that way, and that you will think about my suggestions. Remaining faithfully subscribed: Greetings, and best wishes from me!

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Anima, thank you so much for taking the time to give this feedback in such a constructive way. This is a great point that you make. I agree that showing the correct way first is more clear. I'm going to consciously make an effort to address this in future videos. Please do comment again in the future if I have slipped into old habits, as I imagine it will take some learning to adapt my explanations :)

[@blackduck8891]

My gosh in ur constructive criticism u did the very thing u told him he shouldn’t do !

[@agboxful]

I am half way through this comment. I mean, it makes all theoretical sense the criticism. Must say that I had to skip some parts because I was losing the point amongst so many constructive feedback that I had to scroll down to the end Having said that - I, as a user, and in archery specially, I like to see what I DON'T HAVE TO do. Because the most likely thing is I am doing AT LEAST 1-2 things that Ashe is pointing out. LOL Then, once I have identified it, I like to see how to do it - taking into consideration that archery is very technical but very personal, not everyone is the same So please Ashe, don't make many changes to the format

[@MustangBrother101]

I'll be honest, there's a huge amount of great content in this one. BUT 15+ minutes on 3 seconds of movement? By the 3rd playthrough of the vid, it all started to make sense. Was at the shooting range the other day. An experienced shooter explained everything you just said in 2 minutes flat. Bottom line: if there's a simple way to put it, put it like that. Appreciate the vid, tho.

[@mr.timjohnston546]

WAY TO MUCH TALKING NOT ENOUGH ACTION!!