November 29, 2006

from A.L. of USA:

"Dear Coach Lee,
 
I've had a great time reading and using the KSL shot cycle on the website and have put it to good use. I do however have a major problem, I don't seem to be able to get good clearance on the string as it hits the forearm hard and occasionally get caught under the guard (OUCH!). Must the bow arm and hand be in a straight line with the shoulders? Or would it be a good idea for me to tilt my bow arm forward to allow more clearance, if so by how much should I tilt? Please help me out, appreciate it.
 
Best regards."

Without seeing you I can’t say precisely why, but there are common mistakes in people’s form that results in insufficient string clearance. Some of the common mistakes are:
 

1. The elbow joint of the bow arm should be nearly vertical, which gives more string clearance and also is biomechanically stronger.
2. The front shoulder must stay as low as possible. If the front shoulder is high it will also come more forward and reduces string clearance.
3. The sternum should be low and tucked in. Many archers stick their chest out, which not only produces a hollow back which is bad, but also brings the front shoulder forward and again reducing string clearance.
4. Just make sure that throughout the draw that you keep your bow shoulder, and for that matter your draw shoulder, as low as possible. When expanding make sure the bow shoulder doesn’t come in. Have a good look at all the pictures on the website and he bow shoulder of the top archers.
5. Make sure to have proper tension on the thumb pad on the grip (More thumb finger push towards to the target) so that bow will jump straight.