Can bad alignment cause left misses?

[Ray Johnson]

I've been having a problem of missing to the left for almost a year now.It has gradually gotten worse.It's not every shot but alot of shots.Sometimes it may only be 2-3 inches and then other times it may be 6-8 inches or even more.I was really stumped as to why I was doing this.I even thought that it was a case of Target Panic where I was freezing to the left but there were shots where I knew that I made a good shot and the arrow landed to the left.It hit me one day a couple of weeks after reading a thread on one of the traditional forums that not having good alignment could cause unexplained left misses.I've had a shoulder injury for the last couple of weeks and have not shot to check this out but I think this may be my problem.As soon as the doctor clears me,I'll check my alignment out and see if that is the problem.Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
                                   RayJ

[dragon rider]

Assuming you're right handed, a too stiff arrow spine can cause that problem as well - though that probably helps only if you changed arrows around the time the problem started.

[Terry Green]

Yes...wrong spine can cause that...but if your using the same arrows as before and didn't have that problem...you probably have a form breakdown.

If I don't get proper back tension, I'll throw one left for sure.

Get an overhead video clip if you can and either post it here or email it to me if you'd rather not post it publicly.  If I don't have an answer, I'll forward it to a couple of guys and see if we can't get you one.

[Ray Johnson]

I'm definitely not overspined.I know that for sure.I'll try to post pics as soon as I'm shooting again.This has really been driving me crazy.Could improper alignment be a cause of not getting and or keeping back tension?I hold for a couple of seconds at anchor and I'm wondering if  not having good alignment would contribute to not being able possibly maintain back tension.I realize that it's hard to diagnose a shooting problem over the internet so I probably just need to post pics or a video when I'm able to.Thanks.
                                 RayJ

[Mark Hedges]

When this happens from me it is usually from not turning my head enough toward the target.  Two things happen - my left eye takes over (even though I am right eye dominant), and/or the arrow is no longer lined up with the right eye.  Either way I miss right.

Mark

[sdpeb1]

you might try marking your arrows and see if you have one or two that are not flying right. I had one that gave me fits for a few weeks, until I noticed it was the same arrow hitting the same spot left and high every time.  I almost developed target panic because of that arrow, and it had me shooting really inconsistent, then I told myself to let a bad shot a go and concentrate on the next shot. I started  hitting the bulleye with all except one arrow and it was in the same place each time hmmmmmm, marked that arrow and no matter what it would fly weird.-Steve

[Ostrorogi]

Left shoots are often results allso of "bad bow position in frist hand". If you dont have strait wrist, when you release you recive punch in arm from bow when arrow is leaving it. Your wrist moves to left and arrow leaves bow in same direction to.
Sorry i dont know to explain better in english. That is for right shooters. For left shooters they recive result on right side.

[Bill Skinner]

A slightly high right elbow causes your ring finger to drag on the string and twist the string when you release.  Check your draw in front of a mirror and look where your elbow is.  You don't need your bow to check this, muscle "memory" will put it where you normally draw.  Do you have a callus on the bottom edge of your ring finger?  Bill

[Ray Johnson]

Bill,I do have a high elbow but no callous.I shoot 3 under.

[BigJohn]

I'm having the same leftshooting problem and I have a huge callous on my right ring finger.I think mine is the high elbow.