Yep I agree with what you say about smooth. but I was referring to soft. There is a difference IMO. Most consider a smooth draw with today's bows to have a draw force curve that starts out steep, climbing to the apex and continuing with the apex for a very high percentage of the cycle then gently drops off the other side into the valley. That compared to a draw cycle that also follows the apex the biggest part of the cycle but toward the end climbs a second apex and suddenly drops into the valley. Those two examples are the vast majority of draw cycles for the last 7 or 8 years with a few tweaks here and there to make them feel a little better.
Back in 1980 when I started bowhunting and continuing though-out the 80's and into the 90's even though 50% let-off was the norm, the amount of travel in the cycle along the apex was substantially shorter and the climb was much less steep. That is what I consider a soft draw cycle. Hope I explained myself ok.
I had distal tendon surgery back in June. I tore it lifting a heavy oak bar. Think goodness it wasn't my drawing arm. When the surgeon consulted me on various activities of course archery came up. That got some questions out of him. I tried to explain to him my theory on draw cycles affecting the shoulder. He did agree that the longer the arms and especially the shoulders are under the heaviest stress or the longer the distance, it will have more impact. He also said that the shoulder is especially vulnerable because of the moment of the joint and tissue. This is just my theory and don't mean squat. But everyone should do a Google search about archery and shoulder injuries or just go to archerytalk and title search shoulder. I really hate to see anyone who loves archery have develop a injury that keeps them from shooting or hunting from not being informed, especially one that can be prevented. And surgery sux.
I'm confident I can make the shot.
