Where do you anchor?

[driamman]

After reading several threads on shooting and form I've noticed that allot of you have quite long draw lengths. I'm 6'1" and have a 29" draw. I was just wondering about some of the 30" to 31" draws. Are you that tall or do you just anchor farther back? I'm interested in this because I'm thinking of changing my anchor to a spot farther back in order to get my drawing arm elbow all the way back in a straight line with the arrow on EVERY shot. With the anchor point that I use now I haveto pull my elbow into alignement after I hit full draw. I was thinking that with a deeper anchor my elbow would automatically go to that position. So where do you anchor?

[Viper]

driamman -

Two things. First, to answer your initial question, I touch the tip of my index finger to the corner of my mouth, and lock the web of my thumb and index finger under my jaw. The former is a reference point latter makes it pretty solid.

OK, I'm 5'9" and draw about 29" too. From experience, unless the guy is short drawing, not coming to anchor, the usual reason, is improper form. While it's very possible for a guy your size to have an honest to goodness 29" draw, it's unlikely. Proper form includes keeping your head erect, and not cocked forward; not allowing the bow shoulder to collape in toward the neck, and yes, extending the drawing elbow so that's it's inline with the arrow. That means getting the lines of tension set up correct.

Try this, next time your at a range, see if you can borrow a very light bow, even a compound, with low holding weights, anchor normally, rotate the right elbow so it's behind the head, and see what you're draw length is then. Don't know what your rig is like, but overbowing, even slightly, can show up in very sneeky ways.

Viper out.

[Eaglearcher]

Ditto to Viper

I am 6' 2" and have a 30" draw.
I have also found that the fingertip of my forefinger in the corner of my mouth is an excellent anchor.
Any problems with bringing the elbow round to line up can be solved by squeezing the shoulderblades together and maintaining an erect posture in the upper body (back tension). As long as you don't throw the shoulder of your bow arm forward when you do this, you will notice that the elbow of your other arm will rotate back in line.

[Cato]

In addition to all that has already been said, I found that dropping the thumb of the draw hand below & under the jaw bone (similar to Viper) also helps me get the elbow all the way back. My thumb is pointed slightly down. This brings the fingers of the draw hand snugly against the side of my jaw.

[Phil]

Another slant on the anchor point. I'm 6'2" and have a 29 3/4" draw . I'm fourtunate to have a "Kirk Douglas" dimple in my chin that acts as a perfect anchor point. It does mean that my head position / posture is criticle, as any slight lean forward or backward in my head position increases or decreases my draw.

[Troy]

Where do you anchor?

Usually off the bow, but it depends on the direction of wind and water current.

[SubconsciousShooter]

I always anchored approximately 40 feet off shore, that way I avoid those jutting rocks.

[Stick Bender]

I'm 6'1" and have a 30" draw. Anchor with the middle finger in the corner of my mouth. I try to keep everything in line as Viper said but I also use a pretty high wrist on the bow hand.

SB

[Albertakid]

I anchor similar to Viper as well index against a tooth and thumb under my jaw so that the web between my thumb and hand incases my jaw bone. Solid, Solid, Solid .

My draw varys from bow to bow it seems between 28 and 29 depending on the bow. I recently (a year ago) broke my bow arm elbow and it is impossible to straighten it out completly, but my draw is consistant with each bow just diffrent. A seven pound weight diffrence may be effecting it as well. I will wait for Viper to chime in as he will know right away what is wrong with me!!!
Oh by the way here are the too set ups mentioned.

1. Morrison T/D recurve 59@29 and 60"
drawn to 29

2. BW MAII 57@26 60" drawn to 28+

I shoot the heavy bow a little better.

Jordan

[the other DWS]

I anchor with the knuckle and nail of my thumb tucked into the hollow under my ear. finger tips are against my lower jaw. It tends to make for a high anchor wiht the arrow up under my eye more than most---almost gun-barreling the shaft. I have no idea where I learned to do it that way and it is certainly non-standard but I've shot that way since I was a little kid. Biggest problem with it is occasionally If I dont watch my head position the string'll catch the corner of my glasses and rip'em halfway to the target