Arrows kicking left from bow and hitting forearm..is it my form?

[Matabele]

Hi all,

I just got my new recurve and ran outside to fling a couple of arrows before it got dark. In doing so I forgot my armguard. Well I shot about 10-12 arrows and noticed the arrow was kicking left coming out of the bow and was impacting right of where I was aiming. I also noticed(couldnt help...flippin hurt!)that the string was hitting my forearm...something I havnt noticed when shooting my longbow.

Is it my form causing the string slap or a spine issue, and could that be the cause of the erratic arrow flight? What can I do to correct things?

Any info appreciated, thanks!

[cbCrow]

I think it could be several things of which you have already named. It could be spine(Too Light),bad bow wrist position,or plucking the string. Have someone watch while you shoot and they can tell about the wrist or the plucking,eliminate them then you know whats left.

[moebow]

Sometimes, a recurve grip will cause you to get your bow hand too deep into the grip.  This moves your forearm closer to the string path.  You might try bringing your bow hand clockwise around the grip a little (right handed shooter).  Also check your bow arm elbow.  Turn it so that the "bony point of the elbow joint points straight back (horizontal -- not down).  Said another way, the "pit" of the elbow joint should be vertical.

[Don Stokes]

Matabele, this can be caused by the brace height being too low- you can try twisting the string to raise it, if that might be the problem. Recurves are quite often strung higher than longbows.

Another consideration is that recurves often need stiffer arrows than longbows of the same draw weight.

[Matabele]

Thanks for the replies gents, I will give your suggestions a try! I flung a couple of bare shafts as well as the fletched and apart from a low nock indication, they seemed to be in line...however I will play with that some more tomorrow just to be certain.

Thanks again!

[ART C]

All the messages are great but a couple of more things. One very little of your palm should be touching your bow.Let it sit in the crease between your thumb and forfinger.  Just touch your finger tips on the back of the bow. Your index finger should almost be poing towards your target.How I was taught is to hold the bow like you hold an egg, elbow slightly bent.
Listen to the rest of our TRAD GANG......all of this should help you.   Good Shooting comes with good form,

[toolmaker]

Might I suggest that your stance might ge ever so slightly too square too the target?  Try shifting your feet a few degrees toward the target.  I was experiencing clothing interference when I stumbled onto this little trick. It tworked like a charm, and now I don't even use an arm guard.  Good luck.

[Terry Green]

Arrows that kick left for me (a Right Hander) are surely too STIFF.

[njloco]

I am not giving any recommendation because I don't think I know enough about Trad.archery. I had a similar problem and it ended up being my grip on the bow. I was hitting my arm on occasion and the arrow would kick out, I started to think the bow was not tuned up or the arrows were the wrong spine. . I concentrated on my grip and all is very well right now.

Ken

[rbdover]

If you're right handed, rotate your left forearm clockwise during the shot. This will increase the clearance between the released string and your forearm, according to Mike Fedora. Works for me...