Q44 - What is the correct set-up position?
Last Updated 11/04/2014 at 05:30:17 PM EST
Dear Coach Lee,
I’ve been working on the BEST method using Total Archery and then with one of the high performance coaches for around 6 months.
My questions are with regard to the pre-draw and setup positions.
I draw a 48lbs recurve bow at 31” draw length.
From the mindset I align my shoulders with the target while pre-drawing. When I come to setup position, my draw hand wrist is around 6 inches in front of my face and around 2 inches above my chin/anchor.
What do you think is a good pre-draw compared to an archers draw length?
Is there a benefit of having a higher setup position if so what do you think is a good point of reference?
Thank you.
I’ve been working on the BEST method using Total Archery and then with one of the high performance coaches for around 6 months.
My questions are with regard to the pre-draw and setup positions.
I draw a 48lbs recurve bow at 31” draw length.
From the mindset I align my shoulders with the target while pre-drawing. When I come to setup position, my draw hand wrist is around 6 inches in front of my face and around 2 inches above my chin/anchor.
What do you think is a good pre-draw compared to an archers draw length?
Is there a benefit of having a higher setup position if so what do you think is a good point of reference?
Thank you.
June 16, 2007
from J.H. of USA:
"Dear Coach Lee,
I’ve been working on the BEST method using Total Archery and then with one of the high performance coaches for around 6 months. My questions are with regard to the pre-draw and setup positions.
I draw a 48lbs recurve bow at 31” draw length. From the mindset I align my shoulders with the target while pre-drawing. When I come to setup position, my draw hand wrist is around 6 inches in front of my face and around 2 inches above my chin/anchor.
What do you think is a good pre-draw compared to an archers draw length?
Is there a benefit of having a higher setup position if so what do you think is a good point of reference?
Thank you."
"Dear Coach Lee,
I’ve been working on the BEST method using Total Archery and then with one of the high performance coaches for around 6 months. My questions are with regard to the pre-draw and setup positions.
I draw a 48lbs recurve bow at 31” draw length. From the mindset I align my shoulders with the target while pre-drawing. When I come to setup position, my draw hand wrist is around 6 inches in front of my face and around 2 inches above my chin/anchor.
What do you think is a good pre-draw compared to an archers draw length?
Is there a benefit of having a higher setup position if so what do you think is a good point of reference?
Thank you."
- The distance from your face depends entirely on setting the draw shoulder and scapula and is dictated by the physical characteristics of each individual archer. Refer to our website, KSL Shot Cycle, which in part states, “The set-up position, see photos below, is achieved not by physically drawing the string back by using the hand and forearm, but by positioning the draw shoulder and scapulae. The photos clearly show what we are trying to achieve. It can be helpful when doing the set-up to visualize the string fingers being connected to the elbow via chains, which will allow for more relaxed drawing fingers, hand and forearm”.
Also refer to “Shot Sequence Gallery” and Photo 26, page 50 in TA.
Further, as explained on pages 88-90,TA, the ideal draw position really hasn’t got anything to do with draw length. In reality it is related to your shoulder position. - During the set-up both shoulders must remain as low as possible and the sight is not to be set any higher than the top of the target at the highest point of the set-up. Therefore, I can’t see any benefit in a higher set-up than pictured in Total Archery and on our web site. Using a higher set-up both shoulders would need to be raised more and then have to be pulled down again, against an increasing bow load.; as such it is not recommended.