causes for shooting left??

[Haldir]

I'm hoping you guys can help.  I seem to be shooting consistently left lately.  I know that over-spined arrows can do this, but I bareshafted these arrows and got good results.          

Here's the set-up:  57# @28" recurve w/ FastFlite string.  ST Axis 400's 31.5" BOP, standard inserts w/ 125 gr. points.

After reading a couple of posts on here I was considering adding more weight up front to increase FOC, but I don't know if I should      :confused:    .  I am at 10% right now and I only target shoot (gasp) so having a heavy arrow for hunting is not a concearn for me.

Can you guys identify any other culprits that may be causing the shooting left problem??


Thanks in Advance

C


P.S.  forgot to add that I am right handed.

[Peachey]

I too have been shooting left alot lately, not every shot but 1 or 2 out of a group. After 8 weeks of indoor league I've come to the following conclusion. If I dont get back tension in the shot I shoot left every time. Yours might be something completely different, but it works for me. I seem to get a better release and follow through when I get my back into it. Steve.

[BobCo 1965]

I am a right handed shooter. I find that when my muscles are starting to exhaust, I start shooting left. I think it has to do with three things. 1. I can't get the proper back tension anymore. 2. I'm not getting my elbow back around enough to line up with the arrow (still has to do with back tension). 3. Plucking string

Also try this link:
  http://skookumarchers.com/Archery%20Library/ArrowMisses1.htm

[Haldir]

Thanks Steve.  I have been somewhat struggling with consistently keeping back tension especially since I have changed my shooting form somewhat.  Still trying to ingrain it in my form.

What are some other causes guys???

[AkDan]

could be those or you could be anchor slightly farther back on yoru face.   Caused the tail endo the shaft to move right, makes you hit left.  Same thing happens when ya pluck, ya shoot left.

[Al Dean]

I find if I am gripping the bow to hard or to light I start to move left.  I have to get just a good honest grip.

[Problem Child]

I have a bad habit of "collapsing" my bowhand wrist especially when I have shot for awhile.You have to keep your wrist rigid through out the shot.

[kbaknife]

Don't forget "follow through"!
Intentionally try to keep yourself, your bow, your bow hand, your eyes, your mind, everything still "aimed" at your target until the arrow gets there!
Force yourself to stay aimed, maybe even a second or two, after impact.

[Robert Honaker]

Keep your shoulders in line with bullseye,before during and after the shot.If you draw a line from your back shoulder to the front shoulder and this line hits to the left of the bullseye,then when you release your bow arm will naturally puul left.All of this assuming your rig is tuned.

[Patience]

Haldir,

to figure out any issue in your shooting, remember the fundementals. Take each step and break it down. Do one thing at a time and evaluate your shooting. For example, if you think back tension is the culprit. Do not change anything except add more back tension. If this does not correct the issue then proceed to something different, such as grip, etc. Keep working your way through the fundementals until you solve the problem. It sounds long and slow but hey, we are shooting trad gear. That's the choice we make. all of us can say look at this or check that out, but in the end it all comes down to you. Your form, your arrows, your bow. I find that so much useful info is passed that when you go to put it in practice, you adjust a few things, not one. If you shoot better, what caused it? or vis versa. I gues what I'm trying to get at is make one adjustment at a time and see if it works. If it does you know what caused the problem. If it doesn't, you know that it wasn't the cause.

[Haldir]

Good Advice Patience.    

What I needed was perhaps a list of reasons so that I can evaluate and check these out one at a time until I find the problem.  I totally agree on changing one thing at time.

It's looking like I may be plucking the string on release.  When I make sure to just let my hand go "dead" at release the problem seems to go away.  Now I just have to practice till it becomes second nature.  

Thanks to everyone for the replies.  Keep 'em coming if you can think of anything else.

[John57]

Given correctly spined arrows.
Plucking the string or bowhand tourqe.
Haldir,it sounds like you have the problem identified,so now you just have to work out a way of cheaking your follow through.
I shoot with a static release but as the arrow arrives at the target I've gotten into the habit of brushing my ear lobe with my index finger.
Once it becomes ingrained into the follow through it becomes a cheak that confirms the good release.
Of course this is just one of many tricks to a good follow though and release,but maybe it will work for you as well.
Cheers.

[LCB]

I just went to a heavier bow, and I'm experiencing the same problem of grouping left a couple of inches. I agree with Bobco 1965. I have noticed that with good back tension, and form my arrow hits center. I think most it has to do with muscle fatique. I don't have this problem with my lighter bows.