From: tang@akofin.enet.dec.com (Gabe Tang)
Subject: Re: several previous queries.....
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: 16 APR 92 15:01:10 EST


All,
	Thanks for the acknowledgments and words of support.

	Anyway, today's topic of discussion is that of taking the......
	"Active" shot approach rather than the "passive". What do I mean
	by these? Let's start backwards. For most people, the typical form
	is to lift the riser, draw the string, anchor, aim and then "pull"
	throught the clicker, point check, or what ever other method and
	then to release. That is, the bow is fixed in an essentially stable
	shoulder/arm support structure and the only actively moving part
	is the draw hand/arm/shoulder that is ever so slightly pulling backward
	until final release. This is the standard technique, a/k/a "Passive"
	approach.

	However, there is a school of thought that supports an "active" or
	even aggressive approach to shot mechanics. That is, while following
	all the standard mechanics of the "pull-through" style, in addition,
	proposes that the use of the bow arm be directed to push toward the
	target. This "push" is not so exaggerated as to be even visibly
	noticeable to the layman or casual observer. What this push is doing
	is giving a slightly forward momentum to the bow such that upon the
	actual shot release, the bow will tend to already have a forward
	direction rather than waiting for the string to clear the arrow
	before the shock wave provides the forward recoil/surge. What rationale
	is there? Well, for one, the follow-through can be argued to be
	positive in providing direction so that the bow does tend to move
	straight forward rather than not and possibly torque or tend to move
	left-right. Secondly, with the double action of pulling with the 
	string-hand and the push of the bow-arm there is that much less
	effort and strain on just the string-hand/arm having to do all the
	work of pulling through the clicker/draw-check. Thirdly, you will
	notice that the over-all effect is that of having a stronger shot....
	a much more dynamic and psychologically appealing control of the
	whole shot/release process. Rather than waiting for the reaction of 
	the bow to your release, you are giving the bow your own directed
	action...forward to the target, upon the release. Lastly, in those
	odd occurrences when you find you may have unfortunately set-up too
	short on the clicker, or it is late in the competition when fatigue
	is taking its toll, that sometimes it is almost impossible to fully 
	pull through that last maddening millimeter, then, an ever so slightly
	forward push motion just might make up the difference and allow you
	to complete the draw-check/release rather than breaking down and
	redrawing for a new shot. Remember, once fatigue sets in and you
	start taking down too often, the whole mental game can be easily
	put off balance too.

	So, did I use this approach, of course!	I found this to be a faster(!), 
	more robust method personally. And as odd as it may sound, I feel the 
	arrows were impacting the target in a flatter trajectory and striking 
	with more penetration power. This is not insignificant since I was 
	already using bullet points 2117s(?) xx75s on a 54# Hoyt TD2 bow. 
	Some may reject this as wishful thinking, others may argue that
	pushing forward is not in the best interest of maintaining a stable
	bow-arm. Whatever. All I can say is, the push is not a large, forceful,
	spurt kind of a push, but more of a slow, marginal, almost miniscule
	movement. Why? because, as you hold your bow and aim, the longer the
	aim and pull, the more you will fatigue. You may not realize it, but
	your arm is getting tired by holding the draw weight and the riser
	itself. As you tire, it will feel like it takes more of your energy to 
	provide the same amount of resistance to the bow. Thus you will feel
	like you are pushing and using more energy, really you are doing about
	the same amount of work.........just feeling it more as time passes.
	
	So, if you feel this is a topic of merit, feel free to poke holes
	or to even try this method if you don't use it currently.  :-)

	Tomorrow's topic will be on the power archery stance and beyond. ;^)

	ttfn.

-gabe