Bowhunt America

Article Topics

Upper-Body Form

By Michael Corrigan

A tournament shooter I know once described archery as “human beings doing their best to act like robots.” That sums it up pretty well.

Machines are indeed designed to perform repetitive tasks with precision accuracy. The owner of the local pro shop I frequent knows this all too well. A few years ago he invested in a Spot-Hogg Hooter Shooter shooting machine. He uses it to troubleshoot bows that shoot poorly. Using the Hooter Shooter, he can quickly pinpoint problems like cam lean or weak limbs.

But from time to time he also uses it to simply demonstrate to customers just how well their bow performs. Occasionally a customer will return to him with a newly purchased bow with claims that the bow won’t shoot. It turns out that in at least 99 percent of the cases, it’s user error that is causing the problem. A five-shot round through the shooting machine quickly demonstrates that the bow delivers spot-on accuracy when the human being is removed from the equation.

I’ve witnessed the absolute destruction of egos in that pro shop, but I have also witnessed the birth of inspiration. When bowhunters see how well their bow shoots through the Hooter Shooter, they often want to learn how to become a better shot. They want to become, in effect, a machine.

Some satisfy that newfound thirst for knowledge by watching informative archery videos, visiting websites or reading books and other literature on the subject—like this column. Some even go so far as to hire an archery coach.

Archers wanting to be the best shot possible strive for perfect shooting form. They block out negative thoughts. They think through a regimented step-by-step shot process. And they work hard on both their upper- and lower-body form. Lower-body form, often referred to as shooting stance, was previously discussed in the January 2009 issue of this magazine. This month we’ll examine upper-body form so that you can use that information to become the shooting machine you want to be.

Bowhunting is a tough shooting gig. Unlike tournament archers, a bowhunter doesn’t have the luxury of warm-up shots. Yes, tournament shooters take each shot under pressure. But bowhunters typically take just one, careful shot, and everything rides on that single arrow. That’s pressure!

In addition, bowhunters often must cope with less than ideal shooting conditions and positions. Cramped treestands offer a particular challenge. Shooting from a treestand tends to promote poor shooting habits. In most cases, the small platform forces a narrow and less stable shooting stance. And the extreme downward shooting angle makes it tough to maintain proper upper-body form.

Maintaining the classic “T” configuration with regards to the upper and lower body is crucial to good shooting form. Bending at the waist, rather than simply dropping the bow arm, is the ticket. To get it right, visualize the “T” configuration and force your drawing elbow upward into the same horizontal plane as your bow arm. When you maintain the “T,” accuracy improves.

Shooting from a seated position—from a treestand or in a ground blind––
is also a challenge. Bowhunters often hunch up when shooting from a chair, especially when using one made of fabric, which sags under the weight of the body. This forces the pelvis to rotate rearward and the spine to arch forward.
A similar situation occurs when shooting from the kneeling position, something commonly encountered in spot-and-stalk situations. Rather than making sure the spine and torso are straight and perpendicular to the ground, bowhunters will often lean into the bow. Doing this changes shooting-form geometry, and the result can be missed shots. In both scenarios, taking steps to ensure that your upper-body form is maintained will ensure that your arrow hits the mark.

When shooting from a ground blind, try sliding forward to sit on the very edge of the chair. Doing so tends to make it easier to sit up straight and align the spine directly over the hips. When shooting from your knees, try sitting back with your rump on the tops of your heels. This technique uses fewer lower-body muscles and makes it easier to keep the spine straight and the head centered over the shoulders.

When it comes down to making the shot count, putting a rigid mental thought process into action with an emphasis on upper-body shooting form is the key. Think through the shot and remember, visualization leads to duplication. This is the path to becoming a machine. K

Enjoy this article? Share it!