Aligning the drawing elbow with the line of force improves the score
9 studies · 176 archers measured
The summary today
The alignment of the elbow with the line of force has been measured several times, but rarely beside the score, and when it has been, the results have split. The only study that moved the alignment on purpose is a randomised trial on thirty-one Korean elite archers: eight weeks of lower trapezius strengthening cut the deviation of the line of force from about ten degrees to eight, and the score over fifteen arrows did not change. The only study that set the deviation of the elbow from the line of force beside the score, arrow by arrow, on sixteen young recurve archers and 576 arrows at seventy metres, splits within itself: between the better and the weaker archers the deviation is the same, both at anchor and at release, while arrow by arrow a slightly smaller deviation goes with slightly higher scores, with a correlation so small that it is significant only because there are so many arrows. Around these sit measurements showing how much the alignment varies between athletes of the same level, studies on elite archers where the drawing-arm angles do not tell good arrows from bad ones, not even within the same archer, and a single supportive review, in a journal with doubtful editorial standards, which leans on that very study of 576 arrows.
Also phrased as: "line of force"; "draw force line"; "elbow behind the arrow"; "alignment of the string elbow"; "high or low elbow at full draw"
In practice
Archers are taught to bring the string elbow behind the arrow, in line with the bow shoulder, because it is that geometry that puts the load on the back and keeps the shot the same every time.
Evidence
-
2014
Context Archers Published later
One experienced recurve archer, a coach, measured in a laboratory: seen from above the elbow sat about 45 degrees off the line of force. No comparison with the score. It serves to pin down the geometric definition the later studies use to measure deviation.
Biomechanics Measurements in Archery · Zulkifli Ahmad, Zahari Taha, Hasnun Arif Hassan, Mohd Azrul Hisham, Nasrul Hadi Johari, Kumaran Kadirgama
-
2014
Context Archers Published later
In the same single case the misalignment depends on where you look from: from above the angle measured from elbow to shoulder is 45 degrees, with the elbow off the line, while from the side the line of force is almost straight with a slight outward angle. It is a warning about method: two studies measuring from different views are not measuring the same thing.
Biomechanics Measurements in Archery · Zulkifli Ahmad, Zahari Taha, Hasnun Arif Hassan, Mohd Azrul Hisham, Nasrul Hadi Johari, Kumaran Kadirgama
-
2017
Context Archers Published later
25 archers from the Ukrainian national squad, two-dimensional video analysis: the elbow angle is 39.3 degrees with a standard deviation of 4.5 and a range from 31.7 to 49.7, the one between forearm and shoulder line 135.0 with 7.9 and a range from 116.8 to 148.4. Between athletes at the same national level the alignment varies widely, which weakens the idea of a single correct geometry. It is a description, though, with no score and no comparison between performance levels, so it counts as context and not as a contrary result. A regional journal.
Information Support of Highly-Qualified Archers’ Training · A. P. Vlasov, M. V. Ivashko, I. R. Svistelnyk
-
2020
Against Archers Published later
31 Korean elite recurve archers randomised and stratified by sex and experience: eight weeks of lower trapezius strengthening improve the deviation of the line of force by about two degrees, but the score over 15 arrows stays where it was (F=1.40, p=0.247). It is the only study in the bibliography that moves the alignment and looks at what happens on the target, and the answer is: nothing.
Effects of Lower Trapezius Strengthening Exercise on Shoulder Pain, Function and Archery Performance in Elite Archers · Eunkuk Kim, Jinho Kim, Jinyoung You
-
2020
Context Archers Published later
The side of the same trial that did work: lower trapezius strengthening genuinely brings the elbow closer to the line of force, from 10.06 to 7.94 degrees at full draw against a control going from 9.20 to 9.67, with an interaction F=42.50 and p=0.001. So the alignment can be trained, and in the same study the score did not move.
Effects of Lower Trapezius Strengthening Exercise on Shoulder Pain, Function and Archery Performance in Elite Archers · Eunkuk Kim, Jinho Kim, Jinyoung You
-
2020
Context Archers Published later
The baseline that serves as a reference: at full draw the line of force of 31 Korean elite archers is not aligned with the arrow but deviates by about ten degrees (10.06 with a standard deviation of 1.18 in the exercise group, 9.20 with 1.26 in the control). Ten degrees of deviation is normal among elite archers.
Effects of Lower Trapezius Strengthening Exercise on Shoulder Pain, Function and Archery Performance in Elite Archers · Eunkuk Kim, Jinho Kim, Jinyoung You
-
2022
Against Archers Published later
31 Malaysian archers aged 13 to 18, from beginner to experienced: the length of the line of force measures 122.0 cm with a standard deviation of 7.2 and correlates with the score at r=0.669, but in multiple regression, alongside arm strength, muscular endurance and balance, its contribution drops to beta 0.079 with p=0.236. What looked like the effect of the geometry runs through strength.
The relationship between arm muscle strength, muscle endurance, balance and draw force length on archery performance · Maisarah Mohd Saleh, Adam Linoby, Fatin Aqilah Abdul Razak, Nurul Ain Abu Kasim, Nur Atikah Mohamed Kassim
-
2022
Context Archers Published later
In the 31 young Malaysian archers the line of force at full draw measures 121.97 cm with a standard deviation of 7.22 and a range from 103.10 to 132.15, measured from above with markers on wrist, elbow and shoulder. A difference of almost thirty centimetres between the smallest and the largest in the same group: the geometry varies widely even among peers.
The relationship between arm muscle strength, muscle endurance, balance and draw force length on archery performance · Maisarah Mohd Saleh, Adam Linoby, Fatin Aqilah Abdul Razak, Nurul Ain Abu Kasim, Nur Atikah Mohamed Kassim
-
2023
For Archers Published later
16 young recurve archers from the Malaysian state squad, 576 arrows at 70 m filmed from the side: arrow by arrow, a smaller deviation of the elbow at the moment of release goes with slightly higher scores, with a Spearman correlation of r=-0.083 and p=0.047. At anchor there is no link at all (r=-0.032, p=0.442). With 576 arrows a correlation this small reaches significance because of the number of observations, not because the effect is large.
Comparison of Shooting Time Characteristics and Shooting Posture Between High- and Low- Performance Archers · Jiun Sien Lau, Rosniwati Ghafar, Erie Zuraidee Zulkifli, Hairul Anuar Hashim, Harsa Amylia Mat Sakim
-
2023
Against Archers Published later
The same Malaysian study, on the group-comparison side: at anchor the deviation of the elbow from the line of force is 4 degrees in both the 8 better and the 8 weaker archers (p=0.132), and the correlation with the score is absent (r=-0.032, p=0.442). The measurement coaching treats as decisive does not separate those scoring 285 out of 360 from those scoring less.
Comparison of Shooting Time Characteristics and Shooting Posture Between High- and Low- Performance Archers · Jiun Sien Lau, Rosniwati Ghafar, Erie Zuraidee Zulkifli, Hairul Anuar Hashim, Harsa Amylia Mat Sakim
-
2023
Against Archers Published later
In the same study, at the moment of release: the deviation is a median of 59.00 degrees with an interquartile range of 9.00 in the 8 better archers and 59.5 with 11.75 in the others (p=0.373, a difference of 0.84 per cent), while the score per arrow is 8.00 against 7.00 with p below 0.001. The two groups have different scores and the same elbow.
Comparison of Shooting Time Characteristics and Shooting Posture Between High- and Low- Performance Archers · Jiun Sien Lau, Rosniwati Ghafar, Erie Zuraidee Zulkifli, Hairul Anuar Hashim, Harsa Amylia Mat Sakim
-
2023
Context Archers Published later
The absolute values from the Malaysian study, useful for knowing what is being discussed: the deviation of the elbow from the line of force is 4.26 degrees with a standard deviation of 2.19 (from 1 to 8) at anchor and 59.75 with 7.05 (from 32 to 79) at release, measured from video at 30 frames per second. At anchor the elbow is almost on the line, at release it is already far away: two measurements that should not be confused.
Comparison of Shooting Time Characteristics and Shooting Posture Between High- and Low- Performance Archers · Jiun Sien Lau, Rosniwati Ghafar, Erie Zuraidee Zulkifli, Hairul Anuar Hashim, Harsa Amylia Mat Sakim
-
2025
Against Archers Published later
7 right-handed university recurve archers with at least two years of experience, a 122 cm target at 10 m, angles measured from video with Kinovea: the angle of the line of force is not significantly related to accuracy (r=-0.533, p=0.218), with a tendency for more angle to go with less accuracy. The angle is 39.2 degrees with a standard deviation of 1.71 in the men and 42.1 with 11.1 in the women (p = 0.683): similar means, but a spread six times wider among the women. A minimal sample, in the proceedings of a graduate colloquium.
A case study on biomechanical parameters related to archery performance among UiTM Seremban 3 student archers · Uzma Qisthina Ahmad Ghazali, Muhamad Noor Mohamed, Muhamad Safiq Saiful Annur
-
2025
Against Archers Published later
8 high-level French recurve archers, 70 m, arrows split into three score bands: shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and the range of chest movement do not change between the bands, neither at aim nor in the follow-through. Among archers who are already strong, the geometry of the string arm does not say which arrow will land in.
A multi-parameter investigation of elite archery: distinguishing individual and shared performance strategies during the aiming and follow-through phases · Raphaël Jacquot, Khaireddine Ben Mansour, Kévin Bouillet, Jean-Philippe Jehl, Gérôme Gauchard
-
2025
Against Archers Published later
The same study, looked at archer by archer: string-shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and chest movement do not separate arrows scoring 8 or less, 9 and 10 for any of the 8 archers, at aim or after release (Kruskal-Wallis test, threshold p below 0.05). It is not just a group average hiding the individuals: the link is absent within the same person too.
A multi-parameter investigation of elite archery: distinguishing individual and shared performance strategies during the aiming and follow-through phases · Raphaël Jacquot, Khaireddine Ben Mansour, Kévin Bouillet, Jean-Philippe Jehl, Gérôme Gauchard
-
2025
Context General population Published later
104 Malaysian university students with no experience at all, a toy bow at recreational distance: at release those scoring at least 10 points have the string elbow at 103 degrees against 83 and the shoulder at 75 against 86, while the trunk is practically the same (169 against 168). No statistical test, and the movement does not resemble shooting an Olympic bow: it counts as context on absolute beginners.
Machine learning methods to classify engineering students’ ability to perform recreational archery activities using biomechanical data · N.R.H. Basri, M.S. Mohktar, W.n.l.w. Mahadi
-
2026
For Review Published later
A systematic review of five observational and quasi-experimental studies on the line of force: it concludes that a better-aligned elbow at release goes with higher scores. The data it leans on are the 2023 Malaysian study, which already appears on this page, and the review does not report the value of the correlation. The journal is flagged as a venue with doubtful editorial standards, so this item does not decide the status and adds no independent evidence.
Impact of Kinematic Variables of the Draw Force Line on Performance in Recurve Archery: A Focused Systematic Literature Review Questionable venue · Namchan Norbu Bhutia, Atanu Ghosh, Snehunsu Adhikari, Awesh Khati
-
2026
Against Archers Published later
The doctoral thesis that gathers the same work on the 8 elite archers restates the result: no significant difference in the kinematic variables of the string shoulder and elbow between arrows scoring 8 or less, 9 and 10, neither at group level nor for the individual archer. It counts once together with the 2025 paper.
Analyse multidimensionnelle de la performance en tir à l'arc · Raphaël Jacquot
-
2026
Context Archers Published later
In the same thesis, a comparison between elite and intermediate archers: at aim the elite archers hold the string shoulder more abducted (121.1 degrees with a standard deviation of 9.2 against 116.8 with 30.7, p below 0.05) and the elbow more flexed (64.4 with 20.2 against 50.5 with 19.7, p below 0.001). A different geometry does exist and separates the levels, but inside the elite group it does not separate the arrows.
Analyse multidimensionnelle de la performance en tir à l'arc · Raphaël Jacquot
-
2026
Context Review Published later
The same systematic review notes that in recurve a small deviation of the string elbow from the line of force is the norm rather than a fault, and that it only becomes a problem when it grows. It is the observation shared by the studies included, consistent with the ten degrees measured in the Korean elite archers and the four at anchor in the young Malaysian archers. The same review shows how thin the material is: of 107 papers found between 2000 and 2025 it includes five, with samples of 1 to 16 archers, all rated only fair in quality. A journal with doubtful editorial standards.
Impact of Kinematic Variables of the Draw Force Line on Performance in Recurve Archery: A Focused Systematic Literature Review Questionable venue · Namchan Norbu Bhutia, Atanu Ghosh, Snehunsu Adhikari, Awesh Khati
Status history
- 2014 Not studied The first measurement of the line of force in the bibliography concerns a single archer, an experienced coach, and serves to pin down the geometric reference: seen from above the elbow sat about forty-five degrees off the line, from the side the line was almost straight. The score is not part of it, nor is any comparison between archers: the geometry enters the bibliography, its effect does not. The status is not studied.
- 2017 Not studied Video analysis of twenty-five athletes from the Ukrainian national squad shows that the elbow angle runs from 31.7 to 49.7 degrees and the one between forearm and shoulder line from 116.8 to 148.4. If there is a single correct alignment, archers at the same national level do not all keep to it. It is a description, though, with no score and no comparison between those who shoot better and those who shoot worse: the status stays not studied, because nobody has yet put the alignment to the test of the target.
- 2020 Contradicted The first study to move the alignment on purpose and measure its effect arrives with the strongest design on the whole page, and the result is negative. Thirty-one Korean elite archers, randomised: eight weeks of lower trapezius strengthening take the deviation of the line of force from 10.06 to 7.94 degrees, while in the control group it stays where it was, and the score over fifteen arrows does not change. The alignment is corrected and the score does not follow. With a single well-conducted study on archers finding no effect at all, the status becomes contradicted: refuted asks for studies in the plural.
- 2022 Contradicted Thirty-one young Malaysian archers add an instructive measurement. The length of the line of force correlates with the score at 0.67 when looked at on its own, but once arm strength, muscular endurance and balance also enter the regression it explains nothing any more; the line averaged 122 centimetres and varied by almost thirty from archer to archer, so the difference was there and was not enough. It is the second study on archers to find no effect, but it does not carry the weight of the first: it measures the length of the line of force rather than the alignment of the elbow, it puts beginners and experienced archers together, and on its own that length does go with the score. Smentito needs several well-conducted studies, so the status stays contradicted.
- 2023 Contested The first study to measure elbow angle and score arrow by arrow arrives, sixteen young recurve archers and 576 arrows at seventy metres, and it splits within itself. At anchor the deviation is four degrees in both groups and does not tell the better archers apart; at release it is about sixty degrees and that does not separate the groups either; and yet, arrow by arrow, a slightly smaller deviation at release goes with slightly higher scores. It is the first supporting result on archers, with a correlation so small that it is fragile: with studies on archers pointing in opposite directions the status moves from contradicted to contested.
- 2025 Contested Three results arrive in the same year, and two of them pull against the claim. In seven university recurve archers the angle of the line of force, measured from video, is not significantly related to accuracy. In eight French elite archers shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and chest movement do not tell good arrows from bad ones, and they do not do so within the single archer either. The only result pointing the other way comes from a hundred and four students with no experience at all, shooting a toy bow at three metres: those who score keep the string elbow more open. The split remains, and the status holds.
- 2026 Contested The thesis that takes up the eight French elite archers confirms that the string shoulder and elbow do not change between good and bad arrows, neither in the group nor in the individuals, and adds a figure worth keeping: at aim the elite archers hold the shoulder more abducted and the elbow more flexed than the intermediates, in other words a different geometry that does not turn into better arrows. The year's only support is a systematic review in a journal with doubtful editorial standards, which by our rules does not decide a status, and which leans on the same 2023 study, already counted here with its tiny correlation and its group comparison that finds nothing. That same review notes that a small deviation from the line of force is the norm. The status stays contested.
Related
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Research lines
If this idea shapes your training or your coaching, look at what your own data say before you change anything.
See the full assessmentCite
Campagna, M. (2026). Aligning the drawing elbow with the line of force improves the score (Version 3). In Evidence Registry. Retrieved 16 October 2026, from https://matteocampagna.com/en/registry/technique/drawing-elbow-force-line
@misc{campagna2026_gomitolineadiforza,
author = {Campagna, Matteo},
title = {Aligning the drawing elbow with the line of force improves the score},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {Evidence Registry, matteocampagna.com},
url = {https://matteocampagna.com/en/registry/technique/drawing-elbow-force-line},
note = {Version 3; accessed 2026-10-16}
}
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