Wingspan

[OldDog]

on some of the overseas forums they keep coming up with a wingspan measurement, is anyone familiar with it and how is it measured.

[Eberbachl]

Not really sure what you mean Noel, but it sounds like a measurement taken to produce a draw length measurement. Would it be the distance between your horizontal outstretched hands? :roll: :D

[OldDog]

I am with you Luke, I was hoping one of our U>S> browsers would be able to give us the formula :D

[Eberbachl]

Yeah, that would be good....I think it's something to do with measuring your wingspan against a wall, then dividing it by a certain amount of inches....or something.... :roll: It seems to be a popular system and seems to give a benchmark drawlength to start with. :wink:

[OldDog]

I have asked the question on a U.S. forum Luke when I get an answer I will post it here for the benefit of our mob. :)

[marty]

There are a few variations on the wingspan method and there is one version that uses a chart, which I can't find right now. I've never understood the popularity of the method. It always made more sense to me to just draw a bow back with one of those marking arrows.

Measure the distance from outstretched fingertip to fingertip, in inches. Subtract either 14 or 15, depending on who you listen to, and divide by two. That's your draw length.

Of course you add a little or subtract a little depending on things like the length of your fingers or whether you are broad shouldered or not.

Don't ask me to further explain why this method is a good thing, okay?

[rsw]

I don't have it at my finger tips, but I will try to find tomorrow and post it here for all to see. In most every case, this technique is very accurate as a starting point, requiring only very slight adjustments to find the final solution.

[rsw]

Here is a synopsis of the wingspan method for establishing an initial drawlength:

This is measured by standing with your shoulder blades against a long wall. Keeping your shoulders relaxed and DOWN (do NOT hunch up) raise your arms to a "T" fomation making sure both arms are extended and level to shoulder height. Have someone mark the wall at the tips of the middle fingers. Measure this distance to the nearest 1/8 inch. Then enter the table below:
WING SPAN/DRAW LENGTH
51"/18"
52"/18 1/2"
53"/19"
54"/19 1/2"
55"/20"
56"/20 1/2"
57"/21"
58"/21 1/2"
59"/22"
60"/22 1/2"
61"/23"
62"/23 1/2"
63"/24"
64"/24 1/2"
65"/25"
66"/25 1/2"
67"/26"
68"/26 1/2"
69"/27"
70"/27 1/2"
71"/28"
72"/28 1/2"
73"/29"
74"/29 1/2"
75"/30"
etc/etc
It is important to note again that this is a STARTING POINT and assumes you are normally proportioned (your height and wing span are close to each other)
1. This assumes PROPER FORM: BOTH shoulders down and relaxed, head erect, chin level, bow arm relaxed & unlocked, no leaning back at the waist, no tucking the head back to reach the string, tip of drawing elbow even with or very slightly above the plane of the arrow, and the drawing elbow in line with the arrow when at full draw (when viewed from behind) IF you don't have proper form, the chart can't work to give you results.
You must make allowances from the chart:
1. Broad shoulders - - will deduct some
2. Long fingers - will deduct some
3. short fingers - will add some
If you are normally proportioned, and have proper form, then this chart will get you within easily 1/2".
As with anything in archery, this will work for MOST people, but it WILL NOT WORK FOR EVERYBODY.
If you've got your mind made up you can shoot a 30" draw when your wing span is 71 inches, then you need to reevaluate your own situation.
Hope this helps everyone that is interested.
It's been used for over 30 years, it's NOT new and is quite reliable if used correctly."