Completely new to fingershooting. Have a question or two.

[Soilarch]

After much waiting my first trad bow finally arrived to tonight.

Got to put about 2 dozen arrows through it.

It was hard to be slow and deliberate with each shot, being as eager as I was.

First question:
Once I slowed down a bit and was deliberate with things I noticed a few times my fingers smacking me in the face.  It's a strange feeling to smack yourself in the face...but does this indicate my fingers are really relaxing, or does it mean I'm plucking?  It only happened a few times.

Second question:
How far back to I need to get to being able to really tune my bow?  I can't go stand back 20yards yet, but not really sure the arrow is recovered from paradox at 8.

Third:
Does anybody ever see people shooting without a glove or tab.  I did tonight and it wasn't near as bad as I expected.  In fact, it wasn't bad at all.

[tradtusker]

have a look at ol's tuning guide it will give you a lot of information on tuning

 http://bowmaker.net/tuning.htm

i know a few people that shoot just fingers but they do not shoot often or a lot of shots at a time, id get a glove or a tab though.

as for the fingers hitting you in the face its difficult to tell you might not be drawing the bow back far enough?

 a good idea if your just staring out is take a few videos of your shooting and post them up here and the guys will help you with proper form, better to get your form right from the start believe me

there is also some good pics in here from terry that really help to understand alignment

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=003278;p=1

[Soilarch]

That's tradtusker, I've read over O.L. site a couple times.  I guess my question was do I even worry about tuning until I can shoot a little better. I know I'll never shoot real well until the bow is tuned...but I can also promise there is a lot of input error right now.

Fingers...  2 or 3 times it was as if the fingertips fell back onto my face tapped me right on the cheek.  Except it was a little harder than just "falling".  Very strange for a guy who never told his fingers to come back.

I'm working on the form-clock thing.  I'm really going to have to have a buddy take some photos for me. Doing that REALLY helped me see what I was actually doing with a compound.  But this a different feel without the let-off the "feel" in my bow-arm is all off, as well as the "feel" in my back. I used to "sink" my shoulders in "sync" with the cams turning over and reducing holding weight. Sounds strange but really worked for me. Not real sure I'll be able to carry that over into trad.

[Soilarch]

Update:

 Went through about 2 dozen again tonight.  Outside, coldest we've been yet...good wind blowing.  At 10 yards wasn't a big deal. Was able to watch the arrows better tonight (3x5" white).  They taught me a lot. Also started listening to the bow and learned some about releasing there also. Never did have the finger tap...maybe my fingers and face were too cold to feel 'em.

 Was doing pretty good in the middle.  Then started to fall apart...thought I was getting tired but on the second to last shot realized my knock was sliding down on me!  I'm going to try to blame it on that.    :D  

Made a real conscience effort to keep "the clock" in mind.  Pretty sure I was short-drawing last night.  That last 2" is a bear when you're use to a compound.  Think I'll be getting a draw-check pretty soon.

[tradtusker]

yip takes some getting used to coming from a compound where you have the let off and a nice solid wall at the end of the draw. iv got to really concentrate one good tension in my back muscles when im coming right up to full draw and maintain it through the shot.

defiantly getting someone to take a few pics and videos is a big aid, see what your really doing.

i put a clicker on my bow recently its great helps make sure i get to full draw and get proper alignment