Dumb Newbie Question

[gudspelr]

I shot my new bow for the first time the other day and noticed a few things.  I only shot it 10-15 times (still needs finish sanding, etc.) and was shooting with a glove.  I found that as I drew back, the arrow would tend to rotate left and off the shelf (right handed bow).  After thinking about it, I'm pretty sure I was barely gripping the string with my fingers-not quite to the first knuckle.  As I continued drawing, I think I was trying to curl my fingers around the string more as the weight started piling on, rotating the string/arrow off the shelf.  Does that sound right at all or am I way off?

That being said, where do you all grip the string?  How deep do you put your fingers around the string for good "traction" so to speak, but not to inhibit the release?

Thanks in advance for the help-kinda feel like an idiot asking this one...


Jeremy

[TheFatboy]

I always try to relax my draw hand as much as possible. It sounds like your assumption is right. I too have found that the arrow tends to tip off the shelf, when I tense too much in the three string fingers.

[eric-thor]

go a bit further back into the first knuckle even just past.... sanding what? did u make the bow or did u by a blank ? iv never sanded anything on a bow ... mine came finnished.

[moebow]

The most common cause of this for a new shooter (in my experience) it TOOOOO much pressure on the nock between your index and middle finger.  You don't say how long your bow is or if it's a recurve or long bow but allowing the string angle at the fingers to pinch your fingers together will cause the arrow to rotate off the shelf.

Also, a hook in the first joint of the drawing hand will help to keep you from twisting the string during the draw.

Again, my experience says that you loose tactile feel when using a glove and you will find it hard to tell how much pressure you're putting on the arrow nock.  You might try a tab until you get the hang of this.

You should be able to draw your arrow all the way to anchor without holding your bow hand index finger up to retain the arrow on the shelf.  If you must hold that finger up, something is wrong with your technique!  There are lots of shooters in ID, try to find a coach to help.

Good luck!

[McDave]

Whether you use a glove or a tab, whether you hold the string on your fingertips, in the first joint, or between the first and second joint, are all a matter of personal preference.  Try all of them and see what you like best.

The chances are that you are torqueing the string, which is making the arrow fall off the rest.  This happens when you exert a twisting force with your string fingers, such that you are putting a slight "S" bend in the string when you draw the bow.  All the force in drawing the bow should be in line with the arrow, directly backwards with your string hand and directly forwards with your bow hand.  You accomplish this, as was mentioned, by keeping your string hand completely relaxed, so that it follows whatever angle you hold the bow at.  You keep your string hand relaxed by using your back muscles to draw the bow, not your arm muscles.  Your string hand should feel like it is a link in a chain, and you should feel it stretch out as you draw the bow.

You mention that "I think I was trying to curl my fingers around the string more as the weight started piling on, rotating the string/arrow off the shelf."  You probably are right, and the back of your string hand was probably cupped; it should be flat.  In fact, when you draw the bow correctly, the opposite of what you state should be happening: if the string rotates at all, it should be rotating into the nock, forcing the arrow against the shelf, not off of it.

[gudspelr]

Thanks for the advice, guys-it all makes pretty good sense.

eric-thor: I've got finish sanding to do because I made it-a laminated R/D longbow (my first).

moebow:  My longbow is 64" nock to nock


Thanks again-I'll be paying closer attention to some of these things the next time I get out with the bow.


Jeremy

[Terry Green]

Yep, common problem for those starting out.

Start with your fingers pointed back toward you more, and your fingers will rotate out the opposite way as the weight of the draw increases, and it will actually hold the arrow on the shelf for you....so you can reverse cant and it also wont fall off.

[gudspelr]

Thanks, Terry-makes sense.

Jeremy

[hheneg]

Sounds like too much pressure on your index finger.  Try relaxing your index finger and taking more of the pressure on your second and ring fingers.