The Cure For Missing! Longbow And Recurve Shooting Tips!

This is one of the most overlooked and single most important parts of a consistent shot process with longbows and recurves that will make a huge difference in your accuracy!

[@jimscott64]

Jeff this is probably the best video you have made in my opinion. For those watching this let me just say this. Jeff made me one of his Carbon Trace bows two years ago. Believe me when I say that I have tried shooting that bow every which way you can possibly think of. I am JUST NOW getting very poficient with it. I have shot bows for 65 years. I have shot recurves since ai was a kid. In my adult life I shot and competed with compound bows. I have won a lot of tournaments and things like that. Shooting a bow instinctively is the hardest thing I have ever done. It has taken me two years to master it. This is not an overnight journey shooting instinctively. But when it starts to come together, brother there is nothing that is more enjoyable than shooting instinctively and hitting what your looking at. So for those who may be getting discouraged, hang in there. Bring this video up and watch it all the time, because Jeff is exactly right in what he is teaching in this video. I can't tell you how important the form part of this type of shooting is. So thanks again for the video Jeff, and to the rest of the viewers out there, KEEP WITH IT! It will come in time. Jim

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thanks my dear friend!

[@uncleremus5046]

It’s called proper alignment & getting into your real Anchor which is when your Scapula is set. Your Scapula properly set is your Anchor where the string touches your face are just references. 99.9% of Archers don’t know that!

[@markmclaughlin4801]

I just worked on this today and realised why my consistency was off recently. Am now happier after ensuring I engaged my scapula. Great info

[@uncleremus5046]

Keep practicing your draw Mark & you’ll feel your Scapula set itself for the shot. Ingrain that feeling Mark into your subconscious & eventually when you’re not in proper alignment it will feel wrong & you’ll let down & start over.

[@donpreller484]

Yes!! Yess!! When I shoot like that the arrows just go right to the spot. When I don't it's all over the place

[@brianfreland9065]

thanks! i was practicing today and working on my form and 3 under and im getting some good results from watching your vids! thanks for all the tips so far!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Awesome thank you so much for watching!

[@chickimac1]

Jeff it really helped me. I was all over the place but grouping arrows much better now!🏹

[@chickimac1]

I was ready to give up but have changed my mind now👍😎

[@zeroninejames9507]

I started shooting in last 3 months recurve and compound. I did recurve first for 2 months I still struggling with hitting the target even at 15 yards. Few hits now and then. But I'm still slinging arrows. I'm fully into it. I have the sanlida royal x8 and a PSE shaman 60" 45#. Having fun doing at same time even though I miss.

[@douglashelm1587]

Best video I’ve ever watched on shooting form. I’ve had moderate success with a traditional bow but not consistent. I haven’t shot my bows in about 2 years. It’s dark out right now but this video makes me want to go shoot in front of some headlights. lol thank you!!

[@timber4896]

Hands-down, one of your best videos !

[@NDFlyFisher]

I’ve been shooting for well over sixty years. For me, there are two very important criteria for a good shot and that prevent string plucking and subsequently missing. First, push with bow arm and pull with draw arm. Simply holding the bow and pulling the string, even if wrapping elbow, caused plucking. Second, the alignment demonstrated in this video. Getting the drawing elbow aligned means I’m always getting the elusive “back tension.” Great video! Thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@jcarry5214]

I push pretty well, but what I'm doing when I push can be out of wack. I have to remember to treat it like my draw hand on a pistol. I'm raising, extending, and POINTING at the target spot. Good advice.

[@JosephTodd-ms6rf]

Thanks Jeff! Love your videos and common sense way of teaching!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thank you so much!

[@robertmayer6866]

Thank you Jeff! I learn something from all your videos. God bless

[@Daniel-wy2hm]

Thank you Jeff. This is a very important thing. I am so happy. 🎯

[@worldtraveler8372]

Early morning 🍿 Out Jeff! About to watch!

[@michaeldebortoli3179]

Changed my anchor after watching this , I've had my finger at the corner of my mouth anchor since I started shooting recurve-bows a couple of years ago . Wow! Big ,instant improvement and as easy as pie to get used too , more natural better alignment instantly, I'd just never thought to try it until I watched this ...cheers Jeff your a bloody legend

[@dragonsage6909]

Great advice, thank you! :)

[@earlfultz8603]

I love this brother because he's simple and to the point and it's factual

[@normankaster917]

Nice job with your explanation, I have 30+ years shooting trad and if someone asked me about form, I would send them your way because I didn't think I could tell the story as good.

[@bowman321123]

Awesome tutorial as always, thanks Jeff. Dr. did some back surgery on me so I'm in dry-dock for a while, can't wait to work on your tips and start flinging sticks again!

[@jcarry5214]

gread advice jeff, I appreciate this. I've been stuck on 70 percent for a couple years and I'm slowly chipping away at the hangups.

[@johnwaight8967]

Thanks for all you do for archery Jeff. I’ve never been what I consider a great shot but have become a much better shot with much tighter groups from watching your videos and content… This video was a great reminder, I watched it and grabbed my bow with a couple of sticks and cranked out 20 great shots. Thanks a million for your time and instruction!!!

[@mkeller8114]

Great tips and shooting. I have been thinking of getting back into Trad archery after many years away and have been looking online at some different custom bows and reviews. Got to say out of all the videos I have watched your bow by far is the quietest. To me that is a much appreciated attribute. Shooting deer with a dead quiet bow keeps there reaction low. Now you have me thinking maybe I need one of your bows.

[@offthearrowshelf]

Thanks for sharing this. Part of what you are talking about is consistency in your draw, ensuing you repeat the process each time. The other part which is either more crucial is body and shoulder alignment. Ironically I was discussing this with a new archer shooting a trad flatow on Friday and explaining the importance of alignment. It is something I've discussed and coach numerous students on . Last thing is thanks for saying about over bowing or drawing too heavy a bow too

[@digitaldogs233]

I struggle with this alot. Im getting better but i still have to check myself all the time. And i dont think none archers realise how hard this is, because it is hard, im doing better but not 100%, so this was probably for me the most helpful video youve done. Thankyou and godbless.

[@williamrobert5258]

Thank You! I just applied your advice, and I saw IMMEDIATE improvement/results, all thanks to you!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Awesome!

[@chuckratliff2474]

Another awesome video brother you're the best teacher they are

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thank you 🙏

[@Tradman47]

All your videos, in my opinion are the gospel 🙌 🙏 Iv saved all most every video you've made thank you Jeff God bless

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

I really appreciate that and I’m so glad you enjoyed them!

[@lcjjr.6714]

Great video Jeff! Can you cover your hook in one of your future videos? That may help lots of us.

[@mikeawesome571]

Hi Jeff. Another grate video. For me getting good at Traditional archery was a long step by step process. Very humbling, I cant count how many times I thought about throwing my bow in the lake and switching to a compound lol. The trick for me is don't give up, keep working on the steps. This step was the step that took me from shooting in the low to mid 200s in 3D to shooting 280s 90s and braking 300 consistently. It was one of the last steps in my mental process but it really is like magic once you get it.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Absolutely!

[@user-di3ow4qv9z]

Wonderful video Jeff I think you just gave me alot of insight into one of my shooting problems and why I have inconsistent shooting accuracy thank You so much

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thank you so much!

[@bowhuntznj]

Great video Jeff!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thanks brother I appreciate that and glad you enjoyed it!

[@Flux_Flow]

Love it !

[@Mikerille]

I’m VERY accurate with my 25 lb, but after a year of shooting moved onto the royal x8, and honestly can’t hit anything, I assume I moved up to 40 lbs too fast, hopefully I’ll get adjusted to it over time more

[@clarkansas6590]

Good job

[@raymondhasse2515]

Dear Jeff......following you from Germany for a while and just let me tell you...I love your videos. Thank you for doing them and sharing with us. Every time people ask me where my Anker does lay... I respond: My Anker is feeling my back muscles making this "click". My hand follows my elbow and naturally goes, where it should be for me.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Greetings my friend and thank you so much!

[@s1monch1n]

As a beginner i think the fact that you are able to release so quickly after hitting anchor makes it a little difficult to pick up the subtleties of how you transfer between anchor and release. Is there any chance you could demonstrate deliberately holding anchor for a couple of seconds to better illustrate this all important part of the process for those of us who are struggling along trying to teach ourselves? There is precious little archery where I am and quality information is difficult to come by so your videos are absolutely priceless. Thank you so much for being so free and generous with your knowledge Jeff.

[@sparty6356]

Jeff thank you for your videos. They have helped me improve. I think this video is especially important when bare shaft tuning. Earllier this month I had a nock left I could not get rid of until I reallized my draw elbow was out a little bit. I overcut the arrow. Moving the elbow around was a cure. I do have a question. I have trouble getting to anchor Its like my face gets in the wayof my draw hand any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@davidherrington3649]

Thank you sir

[@ar15gator]

Points made! 💯

[@puneetbansal]

Excellent video. What quiver do you use?

[@user-ul3qe2tq1o]

The other day I asked what can i do with my arrows to fllight better, and It turned out like you sad my arrows were over spined, i got som heavy points 200 grain and my 35 pound with 31 inch started to fly were i aim, And with sholder rotation, got long arms have to pull 29.5 inch draw to get my sholder were it belongs like you showed , I been shooting 27.5 draw but my elbow was not in place, sometimes i get right on the spot from 25 yars, other times would go to right or left, been practicing so much and now I see whats happening here. Cause some times I get such acurate shots, but cant be consistent. Thank you so much 🤝

[@JOHNCornish-qv2hv]

thank you

[@jonathanfatu7437]

Like that I will try it

[@jetpilot555]

The first two shots the right hand swings out, plucking , whatever, not straight back lol. Hey don't matter as long as you're hitting where you're staring at. Dead on!

[@nelsonkobs3363]

Great video again. What poundage bow is to light to work on form. I am shooting a 40# bow with a draw of 29 inches, which makes it about 42 or 43 pounds at my draw. Would you get a 30 or 35 pound bow to practice with to work on form?

[@bigal25938]

I miss with compounds and crossbow too.

[@joeinterrante7873]

Thank you Jeff. Your videos are so helpful God bless you. Come to ETAR in PA. We ate friendly fokes

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thanks brother!

[@mikailkonev9777]

Great tip, Thanks...I watched every Fred Bear vid and photo possible and still don't think he had a positive anchor. It does appear that his string arm is aligned with his bow arm though, Thanks for the great vid..

[@timgruver5932]

My entire traditional bow hunting etc was based on instinctive shooting. I tried the “ aiming” stuff. The fingers under the arrow stuff and it just wasn’t for me. One thing that I feel gave an edge was I shot a lot. I mean that was what I was- a long bow wooden arrow hunter. For me it was so natural to just draw back while focused 100% on whatever spot and let it fly. There’s no other feeling like it.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

@@timgruver5932 that’s so true and yes aiming is very good for 3D but will never replace instinctive for the purist hunters, I believe aiming is good for a lot of guys but mastering just being able to look and shoot accurately is priceless.

[@thomascannon1261]

Great video. Is the quiver on your bow a regular size hood or the mini and if a mini will it hold 4 timber shark heads.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

It’s a regular 👍🏻

[@bradlauber9097]

I don't know how you do it haha. Fast and fluent

[@digitaldogs233]

Ohh so you rotate the shoulder after anchor? Because my friend noticed i try while im pulling back and he said that wont be consistent. So is he correct?

[@jtepsr]

Jeff, I watch you shoot and you don’t really hold at anchor it just goes to the same spot. I shoot traditional and I am inconsistent like you mentioned, I will have to try your advice. I know at times my draw is not the same

[@digitaldogs233]

Yes sir out of everything in archery i believe this is the hardest to get right. None archers just can't see why it's important and so hard to achieve. Man my elbow was way up when i first started archery, then took a course that helped. But a guy who used to live down the street from me really showed me how important shoulder rotation is, and why it makes you anchor more constantly. Unfortunately he moved a few months back. But this just shows how difficult it is. I still struggle with it but getting better. I shoot abit like this guy, I'm not on anchor for long, infact i try to get in a rhythm, the more fast i draw the more accurate i am, i have a time window of about 1 to 2 seconds from draw to release, any longer i over think it and mess up. So now im working on my elbow being perfectly alighned, which at moment im not quit there..

[@MrRourk]

Not training the eyes can be a factor. In Martial arts we do training to not blink

[@RobsBushcraftandAdventures]

Hi from Australia Jeff. Found your channel just recently and subscribed so I can continue watching your vids. I'm wondering if you could be so kind as to give me some advice. I bought a Southwest Archery Spyder 64 XL over a year ago. Shot it a few times and then put it away. I bought the bow online and then went to a local archery shop and bought shafts, Bohning Heat vanes, fletching jig, etc. I should add that I have bought a NAP Centerest Flipper Arrowrest to use with the bow rather than shoot off the shelf. The problem is I had no idea what shafts to get. I bought 2 sets of limbs for this bow. A set of 35lb limbs that I thought would be good for practicing and a set of 50lb limbs that I intended to use for hunting pigs, goat, deer and maybe even bigger things if I get an opportunity in the future. The shafts that the shop sold me are Carbon Express Predator II 6075 (which I believe are 340gn) they said to use with the 50lb limbs and 3050 (which I believe are 490gn) to use with the 35lb limbs. I fletched a few of the 3050's and screwed on 100gn field points shooting these with the 35lb limbs. No bare shaft tuning or anything. I had no idea and still have little idea what I'm doing. I gave it away without learning much but am very keen to pick it up and continue to practice with it. The shafts (carbon) are 29 2/3" I believe at full draw. What I want to be shooting with the 50lb limbs are VPA 3 blade 150gn solid (1 - 1/8") broadheads. After watching a few of your videos I'm thinking (without actually trying them) that the 6075 (340gn) shafts will be too stiff for the 50lb limbs and 150gn broadhead. Could you let me know what you think about these shafts and the set up I have to shoot them and suggest what weight inserts I might try using with them. I plan to bare shaft tune them but don't want to go out and spend more money than I need to on all different weight inserts and things just to try. Any assistance or advice you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Rob

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thanks Rob, I do believe that the 6075 shafts will be way too stiff especially with 150 grain heads cut down any at all so I would honestly go down some in spine for those limbs.

[@RobsBushcraftandAdventures]

@@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 What do you think the 3050 shafts would be like with both 35 and 50lb limbs with 150gn broadheads and ??gn inserts

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

@@RobsBushcraftandAdventures probably fine honestly 👍🏻

[@RobsBushcraftandAdventures]

@@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 Any thoughts as to what weight inserts I might try with the 3050 shafts with 150gn points?

[@keithwayneoutdoors]

Hey Jeff, do you have any recommendation for affordable carbon/foam ILF limbs? What’s your recommendation for affordable limbs that aren’t carbon/foam

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Well honestly any carbon/bamboo limbs will shoot just as good and sometimes better but you can buy the Toparchery carbon bamboo limbs on Amazon for $130 they’re mediums and shoot excellent also Nika N3 are great 👍🏻

[@nialkelly7582]

Amen, Brother Jah Bless [Peace in Jerusalem]

[@user-di3ow4qv9z]

What is the bow you are shooting in this video it's really sharp looking

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes sir it’s an Ol Battle Bows 58” longbow, I’ve got a video on them ❤️

[@mondoman1890]

That intro music made me miss😂

[@mattredfern1339]

i have to ask, have You ever thrown arrows with the ottoman bow the ottoman way? maximum draw, twenty eight inches it stacks trying to draw it beyond that or at least two out of the three i have do, the one which is a True replica of the mediaeval ottoman bow could not draw passed twenty eight when she was new, now she'll draw to twenty nine buy it's a huge effort. by the ottoman way i mean throwing from the thumb side of the bowhand rather than the knuckle side like most modern archers teach. back tension - for i that translates as "back khatra", i use "forward khatra" to initiate the release with the bowhand and then "back khatra" occurs as the tension held in the arms and shoulders by the act of holding the bowstring at full draw is released, that causes the bowhand to naturally move the bow out of the way of both the physics involved by the flexing of the arrow and also the fletchings, the bow is simply not there anymore by the time the arrow or the fletchings are, over twenty eight inches on a fast throwing bow. i honestly thought it can't be True until i learned how.

[@richardstheman1]

This is still a struggle for me. Some people told me that not everyone can shoot consistent groups, and I will not let myself accept that. I think it's just going to be a matter of time until it all falls in place and I can do the same shot process every time without thinking about it.

[@darrylpatterson1091]

I agree with you and like your attitude. I believe that we can all shoot consistently, there's just a bit of work, process, patience and persistence to get there. Some of us might have a few more obstacles than others but it is absolutely doable. I am not very consistent yet but improving. That's one reason we watch videos by Jeff and others. That quest to improve and be more consistent.

[@richardstheman1]

@darrylpatterson1091 I couldn't agree more. How long have you been shooting traditional? I'm 3 months in, so I'm still very new. Some days, I'm on point and have great groups, and other days I feel like I'm relearning it 😅

[@darrylpatterson1091]

@@richardstheman1 about 5 years now, but I don't shoot very much. I don't get a lot of time to put in to it. But I just enjoy it, even when I don't shoot so well, it's still fun. I live in a rural town in Australia, so I don't get to shoot with other people. I mostly shoot in the backyard, and a bit of stump shooting.

[@charlesdudley5800]

I shoot both compound & traditional. I'm much better with the compound. But love the challenge of traditional.

[@bobwalton4879]

I just got awarded with a 68 Earth years Birthday, the day before Memorial day!!! I am like the Locusts, about every 7 or 8 years my birthday falls on Memorial Day!!! Ha! Next year even If you do not like this single father of a 17 year old son for over 11 years, hate me, like me, or Love me, you will be celebrating my birthday on Memorial day next year!!! 69 Earth years next May if God wills this to be concrete!!! Some Video soon I hope you will address the tree stand, or ground hunting "have to go to the pottie Number 1 or number 2 effect??? How do you as a viral specimen potentially deal with the nature calls effect while traditional bowhunting the way you are so very successful!!! A true and heartfelt question!!! Robert

[@seanbyham7838]

Jeff, you do the same exact same release every time and how you shoot covers all the fundamentals of proper form, making for a very repeatable and stable shot. You tend to drop your string hand out and down upon release looks like a subtle pluck to me but you do it the exact same way every time so it won’t matter. After watching different ways of shooting, the way you shoot is pretty similar to mine. I think there is something to shooting faster for instinctive archers as well that can be very helpful, potentially it is your body mind connection that keeps your movement and focus all locked together and on auto pilot, drawing and holding seems to throw me off pretty bad…I hit anchor, squeeze back/elbow and let it fly. Fred bear described how he felt he had a rhythm to his shot, called himself a snap shooter, but he also had very good form and basics as you do. An instinctive hit realease and shoot type of shooting can be very accurate as modeled by yourself, Fred bear and Howard hill. All of you do this differently in small ways but the basics are all there. I tried shooting a clicker and gap etc and I hated it. Instinctive snap shooting is just fun and magical, the arrow just goes right where you want it.

[@labtrainer09]

Hi, Jeff. I've watched a whole bunch of your very good shooting-technique videos, but this one might be the best and most important you've produced. As I watched the first few minutes, I thought, "Isn't he showing us a very simple, clear way to achieve good 'back tension' without using the term?" Sure enough, at 6:19 into the video, you note that what you're talking about is establishing good back tension and achieving true CONSISTENCY in shooting accuracy, something that has eluded many of us. If any of your followers want some additional support for your "argument" about taking the elbow ALL the way back and getting the draw arm into alignment with the bow arm, our mutual friend Clay Hayes has a gem on back tension: kzbin.info/www/bejne/foC2emh6apebpqc Thanks to you (and Clay), this critical part of shooting technique is no longer a complex anatomical mystery to me but rather a simple process that has quickly become automatic. Thank you, as always, Chris (in Maine)

[@billhess293]

Get a weight you can handle

[@maxsparks5183]

I don’t miss the cure. Not at all.

[@bowdeer5074]

First of all, 3 fingers under is not instinctive shooting. Your aiming. Theres no aiming when shooting instinctive. Its like throwing a baseball. You dont hold the ball up and sight whete you want to throw it. You look at your target and instinctively throw it there. Also, you drawing like you would a compound bow. You bow arm should never be locked out and straight. The elbow should be rolled out and you finger tips run down the center of the handle on the back, bow slightly canted. Anchor in your back, index finger at the corner of your mouth as a reference point. Drawing a traditional bow loke a compound is actually over drawing the bow and over stressing the wood. If your gona teach archery like you do, dont call it instinctive.

[@mikekupetsky6879]

Coming from someone who probably Gap shoots. I shoot three fingers under and I do not reference the arrow or even see it I'm looking at my target let everyone shoot the way they want to stop trying to Define people's techniques worry about your own

[@hpsbowsandblades4319]

Sir. Plenty of people shoot 3 under and instinctive I have done it. I cannot gap shoot for the life of me. I’ve tried to figure it out I can’t. Leave people alone. You are what’s wrong with trad archery. Let people shoot how they want. It’s a single string bow with no sights. Doesn’t matter how it’s shot as long as it works for that person.

[@maxbehr3095]

Did your buddy learn trad archery from Jeff’s videos and end up whoopin up you pretty bad? That would explain the complete insecurity that promoted such an unnecessary comment. Completely useless yap session, you are awarded zero points, but dude, great try… swing and a miss though, goodluck sport. 👍🏽

[@bowdeer5074]

Guys, I do not gap shoot! Thats just another form of aiming, not instinctive. Im speaking with over 40 years experience, can hit a quarter 3 outa 4 times at 25 yards, shoot flying targets all the time. Hunt deer, rabbits, squirrels, and pheasant with a trad bow.

[@maxbehr3095]

@@bowdeer5074 nobody asked.

[@user-gr7dz8vg1d]

Been doing this 50 years. First is form. Next is practice. Little else counts

[@outdoorsman9384]

Jeff your wickedly accurate, excellent shooter, but I know you would climb the latter another 10 wrungs if you came up with on conclusion of shot where on dynamic release you hand slides down neck to shoulder or grab ear lobe, something for better straight back travel, because hand is coming off face too the right and some would say it's still a pluck. I know when I switched to hand to ear lobe , I pinch my ear lobe with thumb and middle finger after every release off my dynamic back tension release, made me climb many wrungs on my latter. It's the final process of are shot and far as alignment goes, it's totally straight back from my anatomy of my middle finger anchored on upper back tooth. You help us brother in many ways, I know if we can share something we see on you it could help you, neighborly help for are journey of being are best version of are selves we can be👊Excelsior.