How to Get Into Better Alignment | Archery Full Draw Alignment

[@urkengurung4036]

His way of teaching is so beautiful very clear to understand even without practically going to the field

[@sombojoe]

The overhead view is awesome!

[@joeromesburg1388]

This is one of my favorite videos. I watch it every year now heading into bow season, and the results are crazy every time!

[@Brainhoneywalker]

I watched a little bit of this video in the early afternoon, before I went to practice. I practiced drawing my elbow back, just like you had shown. When I first tried, it wasn’t good. By the end of my practice, I had my absolute BEST end and group at 50 meters. I almost cried. Thank you for making this video! You talk a little fast and a lot goes over my head for now, but I’m committed to paying better attention. Thank YOU!

[@mikefurbee8425]

Thanks Jake. I have realized two things lately at age 70. Years of work at a desk left me where my relaxed upright head position was slumped forward a bit. I have to concentrate on keeping my posture very upright to get my head out of the way so I can get into better alignment. The second thing is that over the years my flexibility has become compromised. It is hard to get my neck turned far enough forward and proper alignment, even without a bow creates some stress in my shoulders, neck, back and elbow. I have tendonitis in my elbow, and shoulder and some calcium deposits on my spine that make simple movements more difficult. I watch you and your wife as well as other archers who still have the suppleness of youth with some envy. I am not quitting though and intend to improve to whatever degree I can. Easy is getting harder all the time, to borrow a phrase. Ditto on the recommendation below to use a lighter bow, at least some of the time.

[@benwilliams909]

Hey Mike, I am not 70 yet, but I am approaching 50 and have some experience in developing mobility and strength when you are no longer a young pup xD The best way to improve posture in my opinion is to pull back your shoulders and relax your torso as you are walking, holding your head high. You will feel a half inch taller and a damn sight more confident. The more you do it the more your posture will tend to that naturally, and you will have to think about it less. Learn to catch yourself when you start 'slouch walking' and correct yourself when you realise.

[@saltywetman]

i have the same issue with poor neck mobility that when I get my shoulders into alignment i feel like i'm straining so hard to keep my neck turned enough so that my dominant eye has visual on the sight. Will need to work on my neck mobility in order to do this. That and as is, with the torso rotation, towards the end of the rotation, my limited range of motion in the neck causes head to move slightly away from looking straight at the target.

[@wayneashby5030]

@@saltywetman I'm 72 and I have the exact same head rotation limitation as you! I don't know if there's anything I can do to get everything into proper alignment and still be able to see the target with my dominant aiming eye.

[@saltywetman]

@@wayneashby5030 this issue got resolved for me by using a more linear draw style with a lesser degree of rotation during the pre draw with square stance and torso slightly open to target at set. I will revisit this when I get a set of lighter limbs but at the moment with my current ones where I had trouble i have a much more relaxed neck and able to fully turn head to side and look down my bow arm actually achieving full alignment (i achieve the point where it's almost a letoff on a compound at full draw. Check out chris hill linear draw seminar on youtube. The NTS system may not be suited for me at this time and especially learning on own without a coach present the linear draw method was more natural for me to pick up. Perhaps it's the fact that in total archery everything from butt, to abs, to draw hand is at a state of tension vs in linear draw, or i'm using too much tension that I'm supposed to that causes my body to be much more stiff compared to the relaxed nature of starting off with the shoulders nearly in alignment from the get go.

[@wayneashby5030]

@@saltywetman Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. I will consider it and give it a try.

[@joeromesburg1388]

Barbebow hunter....yet this concept completely transformed my shooting in basically one session. An aspect of the draw that has eluded me for a long time. Top notch instruction, thank you Jake!

[@picsi-software]

lol.. I'm finding your videos way way better than my club coach! The main thing is that you are explaining the "Why" instead of simply tell me I am in the wrong position..

[@octaviogarcia5457]

This is golden information, I have been strugling with everything that derives from bad alignmentand when I concentrate on doing what you just explained here everything is way easier. The correct alignment makes a ton of difference in overall effort, shot feel, pulling feel, ease of release, etc. Showing top view along with the normal front view eliminates the need to imaine or visualize the idea as you can see it clearly. Great post. Thanks

[@Sangey_archery]

Thankyou so much 🙂

[@kenmare16]

Best explanation of how to go about actually fixing incorrect alignment, not just describing and identifying the problem. thank you.

[@tomohandly2314]

Thanks Jake, I’ll be 67 this November and for the past 5 yrs have gone thru shoulder problems including surgery. I’ve been struggling with my new 40# recurve to keep nice grouping. Im all over in fact. And using “back tension” has always been a mystery to me. This video is terrific! I believe I’ve turned a corner in my shooting. Great job! Keep up the good work.

[@jonathangriffith3851]

Excellent video Jake!!!!! Stop apologizing for the mess it’s archery not a wedding 😂

[@philipwatts1922]

As a new archer I found this video really helpful. Thanks.

[@fiona4407]

Thank you so much for talking about how this might be more difficult for people with mobility issues! I've been doing archery as a fun way to rebuild strength and mobility after an injury, it's been really helpful, and I'm sure what you shared here will help me improve, both in accuracy and body!

[@waynestevenson9613]

👋🏼 Jake, Thanks! It’s great to have a knowledgeable friend to help! Ironic you should post about this! A friend and myself were practicing (compound) on an 80 yard field range target yesterday. I was struggling with left and rights and asked for his help. Immediately he told me DL too short! We adjusted the stops outward. Long story short we eventually moved them 3/16” and a wide vertical but decent horizontal group went to a respectable vertical and horizontal group. The shot feels so much more comfortable and executable when it all of these factors you’ve so eloquently described fall into alignment. Your explanation of a dynamic shot with the single string instruction correlates completely over into compound shooting. Thanks for all of your time!

[@charlespoper4074]

As Octavio said this information is gold! What a novel concept, Jake, upper-body rotating or twisting against a set lower body. Archers, you have got to learn to set your stance hips down as solid as the base of a Sherman tank, now learn to rotate your upper body, your shoulders against that base, bow arm shoulder set., rock steady. I shared the experience expressed in many comments, it took me a long time to transfer what I was able to accomplish with bands to my bow 🎯

[@marexarchery]

Thank you for this video Jake. I started 3 weeks ago with a bare recurve bow beginner set to start practicing and used your video as part of the training. For most of the time I struggled with finding out how the draw the arrow and get the correct alignment and never really found video that got me up and trying right away. The overhead video helped a bunch with seeing how your shoulder really rotates around when drawing to anchor. Really helped a lot and will be implementing it tonight when I have a new practice session. Again thanks for all the great content

[@TheRastaDan]

spot on, as always, I'm applying this and immediatly felt the results the next day, when, instead of have a sore biceps, I had a sore back muscle xD I also found that I can practice this shoulder rotation while having the hips fixed while sitting on an office chair, making sure the chair doesn't turn when I rotate my shoulders. So thats one way of doing archery practice at work

[@dantaec85]

Jake, thank you all the time and all the video 2ith your passion ❤

[@InFerrumVeritas]

I've found that when implementing alignment fixes, the two best ways to work on it are with a stretch band in front of a mirror, and then blind bale. Drawing with my eyes closed really helps focus on body awareness and not shot placement.

[@richardpettit2541]

I just came back from shooting after watching this video, a lot of my Over bow problems got a LOT better, tighter groups and less effort pulling thru the clicker and shoulders felt a lot better. Thank You Rich

[@RonKelmell]

Good physical analysis...practical, sound advise, not overly detailed....thanks

[@paulocastro9293]

Thanks Jake for this precious information. It took me about one year, 25000 plus shots and a lot of determination to change my alignment. It is not yet perfect but I improved a lot my shooting position. By the way, my draw lenght increased from 28.5 to 29.5 in, so, new arrows will be necessary. A piece of advise, start the journey on a lower draw weight, it is paramout.

[@rhhf7685]

awesome. explanation thnk I need to drop poundage down to get this susd been practicing for just over a year and definitely not easy to change draw habits . I think dropping poundage dwn frm 40 to 30 will help..thankyou for sharing your time making these videos very greatfull cheers from NZ

[@Bliro]

Thank you very much for this clear explanation. I've been working on the position for a while now and I have to say that I now have a better understanding of how to get my body into the right position. I also hope to be able to explain it better to the children in our bow club. Thanks for that

[@udomemey]

Thank’s Jake., I am Udo From Indonesia🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Cutetipe]

Your videos have helped me alot. I realized I'm not correctly aligned and by 72 arrows I was struggling to get through the clicker. Revisiting your video has helped me see where I was going wrong. I have 2 weeks to correct this before the Spanish national indoor championship. 🏹

[@social3ngin33rin]

awesome!!!! Finally some live top-view camera angles!!!! :D!!!

[@peterdraper1478]

This is very helpful. It is one of the most important issues my coach has recently taught me. One way of knowing that you are in proper alignment is that your string will just touch your chest at full draw. I have also had to get rid of a shed load of arrows which are now too short! Thanks Jake!

[@beeco711]

Thanks a ton for the knowledge Jake. I just started with archery at 30 with a pretty arthritic right shoulder due to some nasty breaks in the past. I shoot left hand draw, but once I got some solid groups my bad form caught up with me. I was shooting way out of alignment. I used the deltoids in my right shoulder to stabilize the bow, and now I can no longer use my right arm to open a door. Once I recover I'll be sure to film myself and focus more on the form than anything.

[@22checoco]

Thanks for sharing. This is how to reach a full draw with a more stable bow shoulder! So kind of you.

[@galaxystars5617]

I started shooting and thanks to your information I turned in one day my shooting results around . When it comes to the alignment I must say I think I need to do some workout to get more flexible.

[@consume_vegetables]

I used to hear "alignment first, anchor later" in the last few years I started coaching. Never really understood how to approach the matter. Anchors usually end up far behind. Anchor in the usual position, the elbow tends to be out of line. Your explanation helped a lot (loved the top down cam). A lot of new archers (me included) don't really make it a habit to rotate the body while drawing.

[@ginger_puff]

Is this a video I review before every class? YEP! Thanks, Jake!

[@krazybullzkrazybullz8241]

Absolutely an excellent! The best video on KZbin on the matter! 😢 not sure I will get this done with my old bones . Wish I watched this when I was 10. Again great job jake!

[@tommarymarking1579]

This was very helpful, at age 76 my head/neck rotation is stiff, but the alignment issue is spot on. Reminds to be aware of my shoulder alignment. Very helpful, I really enjoy your teaching videos.

[@Kombatsd]

Definitely going to make a conscious effort to have proper alignment. Thank you.

[@sotod05]

Thank you so much I'm having that exact problem. Now I can see what I need to do.

[@Sanyok_K]

I taped my cell phone to the ceiling with masking paper tape and made a video of my shot. It turned out that I had improper alignment. I tried to get into proper alignment, it was not easy - requires more flexibility when moving shoulder and rib cage, head position is unusual with anchor hand pushing Sternocleidomastoid muscle, the body gives a completely different feeling. So I got very upset. In addition it turned out that my arrows are too short (they now fell off the shelf at full draw) and I need to buy another set, also spine should be changed because of length. I am very glad that you filmed from camera mounted on the ceiling, camera from the front. Thanks a lot for your efforts to produce this video!

[@trevorwilkie5937]

I am really hopeful that what you’re teaching is accurate because I enjoy the videos, I am just staring out and I am implementing your methods into my practice so hope it’s good info! Thanks for your efforts

[@TracyPicabia]

Having sought out and used many expert lessons on alignment this one absolutely nails it imho. Nothing original, just a brilliant demonstration of what it actually feels like when you get that alignment right.

[@TracyPicabia]

email: [e-mail]

[@philipsturtivant9385]

Timely as ever: Spring has sprung in UK, and I'm in backyard Agincourt mode again, working towards a 2lb increase in draw weight, having not shot at all between October and a coupla freak hot days in March. Strength can be maintained (increased, even) without leaving the house, but Form's a different challenge. I expected (correctly) to find my 2022 initial draw length to be down on where I left it in 2021 - and so it was. This video's been really helpful in highlighting why that is (not as strong, not as supple, not as habituated in early 2022 as I was in late 2021) and how to address that. Again, I'm left searching my backyard (unsuccessfully, so far) for covert Kaminski cams checking up on me so Jake knows what's the next video he needs to make to help me out ^~

[@bensprinks]

Thanks! This info is what I needed. I am 63 with a draw length of 33. This is a goal for me to work toward but I can feel that it is easier to hold the draw.

[@taterigby8539]

Now that's a sick intro, well done mate!

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

Thanks!

[@mundoverdesustentavel1207]

Very good , congratulations , big huge from Brazil

[@stevenpatterson5319]

Great information, Thanks Jake

[@kennylainhart7148]

Explained well, Thanks 👍👍👍

[@erlingholm]

Thank you so much for taking the time to give all this wonderful insight and real world tips. I’m a new archer and this video has hands down massively helped me. The torso rotation tip alone instantly has helped my form to significantly help me get decent groupings consistently. Plus help me find my comfortable anchor and head position. It’s all sooo much more enjoyable now. Thanks again!

[@pedro1970maya]

Awesome video. Thank you very much. For me, I visualize aiming at the target with the center of my lead shoulder to accomplish the torso rotation you discuss. As if a laser beam were shooting out of the center of my shoulder to the center of the target.

[@dustydustydusty]

A large mirror helps very much. Also watching your videos while practicing.

[@carminecoppola8209]

You're 100% right, I use a different stance, don't know what it's called, but it really helps my rotational draw, my back foot is actually further back compared to my front foot, I'm a lefty so my left foot (back foot) is further back of my right foot (front foot), the opposit of an open stance, I find that helps my torso rotate more

[@fishhunter348]

I have to revisit these fundamentals all the time! Thanks for clear concise videos on these topics!

[@jimmilam2230]

This channel is the best I have watched

[@sweetjamhit]

Thanks Jake! One challenge I have faced is over rotation of overly flexible shoulders in turn has led to pain in the bow shoulder and one too many sickening and "I'm giving up archery" slaps from the string! Mentally visualising alignment as I draw back the bow has been hugely helpful in me getting into the correct position for my body - drawing with the shoulder and then concentrating on where my elbow is in space stops my bow shoulder from over rotation... and saves me from a world of hurt!! Filming yourself is another great way to see what's really going on.

[@jordyskate1995]

Hi Jake, thanks for al the video that you have past over the past couplet of years. I quit shooting 2 years ago, but i started again 2 weeks ago. I first wachtend your vids before i started shooting again, just to kinda reset my style and works like a charm. I Just orders the Total archery book tot fully commit into the nts style. In 2 weeks time with the correct form you explained i shoot better than 2 years ago when i was on my best. I can pull my bow back with ease and i have gained 2 cm drawlenght. That's how i know that your tips and the nts system is the way tot go. So thanks for putting in al your effort into making video's and books! It is really helping out al lot! 😁

[@jordyskate1995]

Hey jake is this a scam? Haha

[@popsworkbench4364]

Very good information. Thanks.

[@benjaminlewiscpt]

Thank you. Explains my draw length being an inch and a half shorter from my longbow to my compound.

[@AnthonyDibiaseIdeas]

Excellent. You made it easy to understand and you set realistic expectations. Thank you.

[@Matt__just_a_guy]

fabulous explination Jake. And the overhead is so useful!! thank you

[@gordie4059]

Very helpful with the overhead camera angle!

[@Darcmerc]

This was something that I thought I did correctly for the longest time. Been doing archery for since i was 9, stopped at around 19. Last year I started again, took a break over winter and now started and last weekend it finally clicked on its own. Will have my dad look over my form again, just so I dont add new mistakes. But just changing my alignment I gained like 1cm of draw length, but I can shoot way more arrows before fatique really hits. Simply cause my bones hold more of the forces, instead of my muscles.

[@MartinMartinez-ro2ly]

Thank you so much for these videos. I've improved my form souch because of you. This video was such a eureka moment, because I didn't feel like I was aligning correctly but now I am. I have before and after videos that show definate improovement in my alignment thanks to you.

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

Glad to help!

[@BearArcher]

Thanks man! Now i understand why i struggle with floating pin too much! Your movies about position of the bow arm and this movie here gave me very important info. Best wishes from Poland. Andrzej Andrew Andriej

[@Arwndr]

Jake, thanks a lot for video! That was very helpful for me some time before! When I was in research how to do that in most efficient way. And now this video already help others 👍🏻 When it is needed, I just give a link for this video with proper efficient alignment.

[@cc2897]

This was super helpful, as an archery coach myself, this is something I've been working on with my students and myself, great to visually see from above what happens when leading with the drawing shoulder.

[@cc2897]

you're absolutely right about the bad habits, my drawing elbow has kicked out for a long time and so re-programming my body positioning is happening slowly

[@stevenburton7922]

Thanks for posting

[@yannikessarios2103]

One thing to note i that as most people will shoot the max draw weight they can control for a full shooting session, the increased draw length resulting from proper aliignnment will mean they're overbowed. After a few good shots they will start to short-draw to the point where they feel comfortable again (assuming of course there is no clicker). Speaking from personal experience it's a hard habit to quit.

[@Bbbuttersknife]

I've been shooting for a good number of hours today and couldn't figure out why my shots were flying out right 40% of the time despite being horizontally aligned with my eye looking down the arrow. I think this is the only thing I couldn't see (even when filming myself) and it might be the problem. I'll test it out in the next 2 days. Thanks Jake! Don't think past videos I've seen about drawing have included pulling back with a shoulder rotation. But it definitely looks like a good way to align everything.

[@TheDuanewallmark]

Thanks Jake I’ve just ordered my first recurve and your videos are very helpful! 👍

[@dermaulwurf5540]

One of your best! But I think the most difficult part of getting into the best position is, not to turn your hips. I tried so many times not to turn them, but after a 10-20 arrows I forgett to think about and then, when the wind comes, I stay instable. Please go on with your nice tips!

[@hui-wenchen8399]

Very helpful indeed. ❤❤❤

[@johnscranton8365]

Great suggestions, thanks. Please paint your demo arrow White and use a White long rod when demonstrating alignment details. The White color will show up much better when making video in your studio. Rotating your draw / anchor will benefit people wearing glasses. Looking at the edge of the glasses near the bridge of ones nose confuses the string blur image.

[@zoranpozgaj6780]

Thank you Jake not just for this video thank you for this chanel I learn so much. Hello from Croatia

[@ERNESTO2683]

That's just what i was looking for to improve my form, thanks a lot Jake.

[@ronnyweinreich9425]

Thanks for the nice tutorial. 👍 I'm new to archery and shoot pretty well for a beginner. Today I worked with my Trainer on my alignment and got into issues to find a good anchor point. And my draw length are almost to long for my 32" arrows at full draw. 😅

[@user-mo4vm5ve8q]

Thanks sir..... Now I can do our best and make full draw.... 😍

[@hutchieboy242]

This is timely and real. Now to deal with this "can of worms" you have opened up. .. ..but the fish will really be biting on this one.. ... ..thank you Jake. Please send me your email, may have a proposal for that travel itinerary you have.

[@jonmorgan-parker4209]

Omg 😱 thank you Jake. I’m really looking forward to my next Archery lesson with my club. I’ve been having problems with this situation!

[@dustydustydusty]

Tremendous improvement in the last week. Struggling with letting myself take any recuperation time. Yesterday I tried using one arrow hoping to slow down. Really needed the whole day off but just can't do it. Still shot 60 times. At least I'm counting!

[@Hybridesque]

Just as polite suggestion for single string shooters who are going to work on their alignment. Please start out on a lower draw weight while doing form work like this. It makes it easier to rehearse and therefore making it a new habit quicker, but helps reduce the likelihood of injury, then build back up on the draw weight.

[@garymickus6412]

I agree. Another coach (Archery GB) recommended progressing from a light practice bow, shooting light limbs on your bow and finally a normal weight setup. According to Archery GB the process would take about 3 months.

[@gibsonlife573]

That is a great thing right there what you just done with your fingers person that will help people to understand a lot better I believe What people mean when they're talking About bone on bone contact

[@randallkadish5663]

Great video, again.

[@dsdssdsd283]

Thank you Jake! The learning from this video is liberating! I've been having weak bow shoulder shooting with the grip trigger and having trouble clicking the seer while pushing towards the target. I'm constantly having to push towards the target as well as correcting / resisting the rightward collapse from the bow. At the same time there's always a tendency of collapsing from the pulling hand as the string wants to pull open my fingers. I implemented the rotation of the torso today and it just feels very strong throughout even the string grip is much easier to maintain. On the good shots I can totally visualize the 'barrel of the gun' driving towards the target with much more stability.

[@j.barkan4690]

Wondering why my arrows are mostly left of center no matter what I do with my sites. Watching this video has told me what may be the problem. Seeing the videos from the top view and bad alignment has shown me what I am doing and fixing the alignment putting everything as it should be hopefully should put my arrows more center on the target. Thanks for taking the time to put these videos online helping guys like me who want to improve. These are great.

[@brucenovotny5924]

Great points. Thanks. I'd add to your message one thing. The stance can help if someone struggles with inflexibility (my case😉). Overall great video. Thank you 👍🏻🙏🏻🙇🏻‍♂️

[@stringbean585]

Great, great info presented in a very clear and easy to understand manner. Thank you Jake!

[@brentallen9882]

Thanks for this video. As you mention and show, the Bow arm opening up more too, this makes it quite the challenge , for me, to rotate my head enough to get my Right eyeball inline with the aperture. I'm guessing this is why most compounders shoot with a broken bow arm, target-scope-peep and eyeball, an even more difficult alignment to achieve. Any tips for increasing "mobility/range of motion" to get the right eyeball inline too? Thank you.

[@MrJoshuatree79]

Magic,I been trying to force my arm round for months 👍💪👊

[@michaelspataro8584]

Extremely helpful Jake, really appreciate you and your descriptive explanations. This has been a game changer for me. My draw length does change and my clicker will sometimes go off early. So I know I have to perfect this rotational change. By the way my groups still got tighter even though I know I need alot more work. Thanks again Jake !

[@cheungjack8658]

thanks so much！！！！I get the really tips in this video，thanks

[@stephenrothenberg688]

These videos are awesome! I just bought my first bow (bare recurve) and watching your videos have been more than helpful! I am also a new sub as I am trying to get into new things. I was worried that starting at 38 yrs old would be a huge draw back in getting caught up on training and body position in time to hunt this season. Though may still not go if I can’t get consistently on point with my shots, I am much closer to it and can likely now hunt next year. Thanks for these videos and the awesome content!!

[@josephpellegrino852]

Thank you

[@jasonscoggins01]

Thank you

[@DHS956]

This is something I struggle with because I have had to have shoulder surgery and I shoot a compound bow I have had a sore shoulder afterwards but I will try this hopefully this method will work.

[@ChinmohanNayak]

Thank you!!

[@ianrowan5156]

Great video, thanks

[@dominikt5290]

This is a realy realy nice Information. For someone how doesn´t have a coach. Thanks man for your support on this chanel. I love to watch your Videos. Super and understandingly eyplaind. ✌💪

[@LarrySealeArcheryCoach]

it looks like he's describing the basics of a linear draw, keeping the draw force on the line throughout

[@张青-j2i]

是的，不是一朝一夕就可以改过来，但是自己能渐渐意识到改变正在发生，感谢讲解！