How to properly draw a compound bow!

James gives a tip on how to properly draw a compound bow to prioritize shoulder health.
www.bowdisciples.com
[e-mail]
IG: @jamesvisser & @bowdisciples

[@robcarr8505]

Great video!! A lot of good information and it was fast paced enough to keep my attention. As a person with A.D.D... that's really important. 😆

[@BowDisciples]

Glad that you liked it

[@MrTheBurkes]

Same! There aren't a lot of videos where the playback speed is normal. This is one of them, and I appreciate it

[@drmitofit2673]

Using your advice, I have modified my draw which is now pain-free, smoother, faster, and much easier. Using a thumb release, I start hands eye level high, draw thumb down 45 degrees, elbow high, and leaning forward slightly with the lat muscle pre-tensioned. Looking in a mirror without a bow, the thumb down palm position gets the elbow up higher for max lat leverage compared to palm down which lowers the elbow. I pull more to my ear rather than my face/chin which maintains the high elbow throughout the draw stroke. Since my anchor is thumbs down 45 degrees, I start aiming sooner without the extra step of wrist turning. I was amazed at how much easier and smoother it was, as if my limb bolts were wound out two complete turns. It just comes back in one graceful move instead of dragging my hand across my face with deltoid muscle tension. Thanks!

[@BowDisciples]

Glad it helped! Keep it up brotha

[@CM-pc4xu]

Great video and tips. I'd add that getting a wrist sling is great for beginners to build trust that they won't drop their bow drawing with a loose grip. Keep up the good work

[@BowDisciples]

Thanks for the comment!

[@emerty6543]

Amazing video. I just started archery and i can already thank you for this video. Thank you man. Keep up the good work.

[@BowDisciples]

Thanks for the comment!

[@billyjackvallejo9299]

Going to try this might be just what i needed.

[@BowDisciples]

Let me know how it goes! Start light and work up

[@drmitofit2673]

At age 60, I am trying to preserve my shoulders so I can enjoy target archery for decades longer. I have built up the appropriate muscles with pull ups, push ups, and plank crossed ring rows and shooting 20-30 arrows everyday. I have now maxed out my bows to 60lbs, which seems very smooth and easy now and I could probably pull 65lbs no problem. I have a maxed out 50lbs target bow that is good for shooting after my strenuous upper body workout on the same day. Your advice has been excellent. I believe the high forward hand start is good for engaging the large lat muscles in the first third of the pull, lowering the hands to further engage the lats in the middle third, and going chest proud in the second half of the pull to engage the back muscles between the scapulae and the posterior delts. Your technique uses the large stable muscles and by passes the injury-prone rotator cuff muscles as much as possible. I can shoot long sessions with zero shoulder pain. I have found that it is important to relax the bow grip hand or else opposing muscles tense up too much, because gripping the bow hard actually makes it harder to draw back smoothly, plus a beginner could torque and derail a bow by gripping too hard during the draw or shot. When aiming, I am using the back muscles to go into an arm relaxed skeletal T-form which steadies the sight picture. It helps to imagine the elbows going in opposite directions, the bow elbow going down and out and the draw elbow going back and slightly up, shoulders relaxed. I try to focus on the target which does not move and not the pin which quavers. Bow hand is relaxed to the point of it doing its own neutral thing after the shot. My accuracy has gone way up! Thanks!

[@BowDisciples]

Great to hear!

[@MavHntr]

like your vids, sub here, a solo senior bowhunter of many years. Add; the "incorrect" way to draw creates more movement when hunting & game is in front of you. I draw the "proper way" you describe, much easier on wrist-shoulders when practicing. When hunting, sometimes a situation occurs and can't draw early enough. Deer/elk will often look my way, catching that draw movement. Usually too late as arrow is on its way. I can't imagine making a 2nd move to bring bow UP to anchor point and THEN having to sight the deer's/elk's sweet zone too. One move-draw, target spot is acquired quickly and "boom" for release.

[@BowDisciples]

Agreed! Great comment, thank you!

[@rickd0320]

Boom brother! Great info. My draw got smoother and stronger when I started focusing on a high elbow. I was never super low but I was definitely using more shoulder than you should.

[@BowDisciples]

Perfect!

[@drmitofit2673]

A great archery exercise is crossed body weight rows with gymnastic rings suspended about door knob height from a doorway pull up bar. Crossing the ring straps adds pull across the body to the rowing motion, duplicating the draw motion. Pause 2-4 seconds at full contraction. I do it with flat abs, bent knees, feet flat on the floor. Full body plank increases challenge but is tough on the heels. Lowering the rings a few inches increases challenge.

[@andrewmusacchio5328]

I agree 100%, lm 72 years old wish I had learned to draw like this from the get go. You young guys need to heed this advice if you want to be shooting in your old age.

[@BowDisciples]

Appreciate the comment!

[@markuss8079]

Today I bought my first compound, and I had it set for 55 pounds.. thank you for showing me proper form.

[@BowDisciples]

Awesome! Congratulations

[@billyjackvallejo9299]

Hey I finally got to do some shooting today and really like it.

[@BowDisciples]

Great to hear!

[@drmitofit2673]

In addition to drawing with a high elbow, I have found it is also best to let down with a high elbow. This allows the large, long lat muscle to absorb the energy over a wide range of motion lat muscle arc.

[@BowDisciples]

Agreed

[@eaznutts5714]

Good advice

[@BowDisciples]

Thanks brother

[@jasonjohn1978]

Good video bro. I was literally talking about this last night with my girl. It’s crazy how many people have archery KZbin channels that don’t draw there bow properly and also have terrible form.

[@BowDisciples]

Appreciate the comment brother

[@lightsinthenightssky7373]

good tips

[@BowDisciples]

Thanks!

[@richardpickett5007]

Thanks for the video,was right on target been shooting bows elbow high for years. I am a senior hunter still pulling 70 pounds and friends ask why I need to shoot with all that poundage , because I can

[@BowDisciples]

Love it! Thanks for the comment

[@AllNighterHeider]

This principle is right in line with carry with one in the chamber. Less to do, less to fail and time saved.

[@BowDisciples]

Yup, exactly! Better for health in this case too 🙏

[@murdoc2386]

Thank you for the tip. What release are you using? Thanks

[@BowDisciples]

Carter BK target

[@gorankorovljevic810]

What makes me sick when i watching some archery "experts" and bow testers which drawing across the chests 😏 Am glad you posted that video and people need to learn "the ropes" be4 they start to shooting.

[@BowDisciples]

Thanks for the comment!

[@bow-crossbow-brotherhood-IT]

🤙🏻👍🏻🏹🏹🏹🏹👊🏻💪🏻👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@BowDisciples]

👍👍🙏🙏