[English Longbow] Just switched to shooting left handed, how's my form?

Insanity-Rocks

New member
After shooting trad bows right handed for 7 years I bought a compound to play with and discovered I was actually left eye dominant, so had to switch hands 18 months ago. For a while I was shooting compound left handed and longbow right handed but that caused it's own problems, so I've decided to switch hands with the longbow as well. The video is of my first time shooting a longbow left handed, it's the clubs longbow so I'm drawing around 25lbs, but eventually want to get to 35-40lbs.

Can anyone notice anything wrong with my form at the moment? If I'm doing anything wrong it's probably best to fix it now before I get used to bad habits! I'll mostly be shooting field with maybe a bit of target. I don't get on with shooting split fingers so I've gone for three fingers under, under my chin, and will be using a kisser.

[video=youtube;S_9o0UFFZz8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_9o0UFFZz8[/video]
 

WillS

New member
I wouldn't want to offer any bad advice (I'm by no means anywhere near good enough to see anything "wrong" with your form per se) but is it worth posting where compound archers can see and help? You're shooting that longbow with a compound/recurve style, rather than a longbow form.

The length of time you're holding the bow at full draw, the way you bring the bow up and the rotation of the wrist (I have no idea what that's called!) after the shot are totally un-longbow-ish. Must be weird going from compound to longbow, but I reckon if you want to hang on to your compound/recurve form technique asking longbow archers may be the wrong direction?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I've never seen longbow archers shooting like that! Looks clean and effective though, just seems like somebody has photoshopped the compound out and added a longbow ;)
 

Insanity-Rocks

New member
I wouldn't want to offer any bad advice (I'm by no means anywhere near good enough to see anything "wrong" with your form per se) but is it worth posting where compound archers can see and help? You're shooting that longbow with a compound/recurve style, rather than a longbow form.

The length of time you're holding the bow at full draw, the way you bring the bow up and the rotation of the wrist (I have no idea what that's called!) after the shot are totally un-longbow-ish. Must be weird going from compound to longbow, but I reckon if you want to hang on to your compound/recurve form technique asking longbow archers may be the wrong direction?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I've never seen longbow archers shooting like that! Looks clean and effective though, just seems like somebody has photoshopped the compound out and added a longbow ;)
That's the main reason I posted this, shooting right handed I shoot like any other longbower, but this is the only way that feels comfy at the moment left handed, and I'm getting better groups than I ever did right handed! I'm just thinking that if every other longbower shoots the way they do there must be a reason for it!
 

WillS

New member
if every other longbower shoots the way they do there must be a reason for it!
We're all sheep!

I think if you adopt a technique as a total beginner it's no bad thing (you gotta start somewhere right?) and spending any amount of time sticking to a single form will always eventually make you consistent. But if you're already settled into a different technique and routine and find it works, then changing to match everybody else probably ain't the best plan! If it's not broken, don't fix it...

If you're getting the results you want, then you're doing it right in my opinion.

I'm sure somebody else will help out with actual technique tips, I wouldn't have a clue. When I shoot I just wrench the string back until the point hits my hand and chuck it out again! I'd never want to see myself shooting hah.
 

Insanity-Rocks

New member
We're all sheep!

I think if you adopt a technique as a total beginner it's no bad thing (you gotta start somewhere right?) and spending any amount of time sticking to a single form will always eventually make you consistent. But if you're already settled into a different technique and routine and find it works, then changing to match everybody else probably ain't the best plan! If it's not broken, don't fix it...

If you're getting the results you want, then you're doing it right in my opinion.

I'm sure somebody else will help out with actual technique tips, I wouldn't have a clue. When I shoot I just wrench the string back until the point hits my hand and chuck it out again! I'd never want to see myself shooting hah.
I definitely understand sheep syndrome, as a coach I've had many people disregard my suggestions because "you're supposed to do it this way". But there are certain things that everyone does because it's what gives the best results, such as finding a consistent anchor point or using your fingers to draw the bow rather than your teeth!

I'm in a weird situation as I have the knowledge to shoot a longbow reasonably well, but not the muscle memory or ability to feel when I'm doing it correctly.

At the moment I'm getting the results I want on a low poundage bow at 20yds, with no idea if continuing the way I am will work on a heavier bow or at longer distances.

I may just to spend a day flinging arrows at different distances and angles, maybe with different poundage bows and see if they go roughly where I want them...
 

geoffretired

Supporter
Supporter
I think your form looks great.
If you had said nothing about changing hands, I would have said the same. You look in control of your bow and your form. Relaxed is how it appears... so much so that I find it relaxing to watch.
A lot of archers rush or hesitate; none of that in your shooting.
 

Insanity-Rocks

New member
I think your form looks great.
If you had said nothing about changing hands, I would have said the same. You look in control of your bow and your form. Relaxed is how it appears... so much so that I find it relaxing to watch.
A lot of archers rush or hesitate; none of that in your shooting.
Why thank you! Nice to know I'm doing something right :)
 

Simon Banks

Active member
Looks very smooth nod constant.. How does it feel?

Apart from my first hours archery I've shot left handed for the same reason (left eye dominant) I think it's better than getting your brain to switch eyes..

Enjoy...
 

Insanity-Rocks

New member
Looks very smooth nod constant.. How does it feel?

Apart from my first hours archery I've shot left handed for the same reason (left eye dominant) I think it's better than getting your brain to switch eyes..

Enjoy...

Whatever I do feels weird at the moment as I'm not used to it.

I find it easy enough to use either eye shooting unsighted, definitely makes a difference with the compound though!
 

Simon Banks

Active member
If you stay with it for a few hours you'll not notice. The hardest thing I found other than the strangeness was getting used to nocking arrows with my left..
 

ghound

Member
I like your form, it looks steady and consistent, though it might be hard to keep as you move to a heaver bow, well i know it was for me.
But if your hitting the scores you want then it doesn't matter how it looks.....:thumbsup:
 
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