Anchor point changing

[oldfarmsblueman]

Me again,I have noticed I keep changing how I
anchor!I think its natural because it just seems to
change on its own.I think I started with tucking my
thumb knuckle into the top part of my jaw.Today I
started sticking my thumb straight out behind my
neck.It seems to let me get closer to the string and
peep.I'm shooting ma by a little better but it feels
ease yer faster and less work.
I'm sure after you have been shooting for a while
you don't know what changes you made to get there.
I gess I'm asking is it normal to change your stile
till you find your spot?
I have been using a cobra release I like it but haven't
been able to get it on the exact same way each time.I
tried one with a buckle but you need Three hands to
get it on.I like the Velcro.

[royden]

At this point I would say to just have fun and find what works for you. I think a lot of people go thru this stage cause draw lengths tend to change with a little time. One thing to consider when picking your anchor point is how consistent you arrive at anchor ... a 1/4" creep really affects your point of aim. Also consider how your anchor affects how you tilt your head to use your peep.

[smj]

With a compound and sight - and peep - I like to make sure that all is well with my anchor point and form. Let me see if I can explain what I do... By the way, if the form is wrong the anchor point can drift around as well trying to correct for something else - and - if the bow sight or peep is set up wrong it will affect the anchor point, too...

Once out on the range, nock an arrow. Take a good look at the target, and close your eyes. No peeking either! Stand up straight, get your feet and shoulders right, and draw your bow. Focus on what feels natural. Draw your bow to what you think is the right anchor point, full draw. Don't shoot!!! Do a mental check point list and make sure that you feel you have the best form and comfort combination for this bow. Now, if everything is lined up right, when you open your eyes, your bow will be straight up and down and your eye will be looking through the peep at your pins - or at least close to being aligned correctly. I know it works this way, I set mine up by this and have helped others to do the same. If you are not lined up right, fix your form, move the sight or peep, change the anchor, repeat until it lines up right. Of course, make sure nothing is loose on the bow first - if you are chasing mobile parts you will never win! ;D

If you have form errors, it will affect the outcome. If you have your sight pins set to high above the arrow rest, it will affect the outcome, if the peep is in the wrong spot it will affect the outcome, if you have your anchor point in the wrong spot it will affect the outcome. I suggest having someone to watch you get set up and look your form over once you are at full draw to help find flaws in form. Then, once past form issues, when you open your eyes, check the sight height. Check the peep position. If you have a solid anchor point but your sight is to high to see through right, or the peep is in the wrong spot, move them and keep the anchor point. I have found that finding this natural point of alignment makes it easier to shoot consistently. Good luck, hope it helps!

[royden]

I do the same thing with people too when getting them set-up with a new bow. It seems to really help cut to the chase. One thing I ask them to do is when they are all set and eyes shut at full draw I ask 'em to turn right or left while at full draw, and then go back to what they think is the target ... that seems to help in foot and hip placement as well.

With all that said, without someone to watch oldfarmboy, that technique may be difficult for an inexperienced compound shooter to find what is "the correct anchor".

Since you are finding your form changing OFB - do you have anybody who could watch? Send some pics?

[oldfarmsblueman]

THANKS!!
I am going to the archery store tomorrow to pick
up my FIRST dozen arrows! I will have the pro check
me out and see what needs to be adjusted or worked
on.I'll be working with him once a week till I shoot with
consistency!
Thanks again you all are a great help!

[stilllearning]

Pictures of you at full draw have realy helped people on here get me set when I first started. Post away and then try and get through all the help you will recieve.

[BT]

I find that the best course of action is to go with it for a week or two and the perfect anchor will find you.
Even for those who are hard core shooters , the perfect anchor is rarely found at once after changing bows.
You can force the subject and make it work but I find that what you are doing is most often the best course of action

[huntbunny6]

I agree totally with the form being a large aspect in your anchor point.
You may very well be "finding" your position and form .
I'm sure your consistency will improve greatly with more practice you will notice you are drifting into a pattern. Just watch your accuracy , because you dont want to drift into a comfortable , yet bad pattern either

"getting closer" to your string is not necessarily what you want to do.
If you cantor is right on your grip it should fall right on your kisser point, but if not then you could very well catch a string accross the tip of your nose or your cheek . Holey smokes that is amazingly painful and you'll be explaining a huge mark on your face for a week.