Hitting my nose

[AlanD]

Hello guys
I got a new longbow at the end of September and have been doing my best to give it a fair shake. Shooting with carbons or wood I have a difficult time not hitting my nose with this bow. I have another longbow that I never hit my nose and the same with my recurve. I wonder if the poundage can be playing a part. My old longbow is 51 lbs at my draw. (30.5 inches) My recurve is 47 lbs at my draw. The new bow is 41 lbs at my draw. I ordered 45 lbs. But it came in light. I've been thinking I'm just not coming clean enough off the string. But honestly it feels just as clean at the other two bows. I've read where it is harder to come off a light bow string clean because the heavier bow will flick the fingers out of the way easier. I also find it more difficult to get the arrow under my eye but I'm thinking that's another topic.
Anyone else experience this?

[moebow]

Alan,

Try bringing the string to your face, don't move your face to the string.  Hold your head still then pull the string to your head!  See if that helps.

Arne

[McDave]

Also, rotate your head as much toward the target as you can. The more you rotate your head, the more your nose will be out of the way. Try taking a picture of yourself at full draw from above and behind, so your camera is sort of looking over your shoulder toward the target.  Is your forearm in line with the arrow, or is it angled out?  Having a forearm that is angled out at release can throw the string into your nose. Make sure you are pulling straight back on the string and not out at an angle that would throw the string into your nose. Try using a glove instead of a tab.  The glove should fit snugly with your fingertips all the way to the end.

With a lower poundage bow, it is more difficult to feel yourself pulling through the shot; it is a more subtle feeling.  Also, you might be inclined not to pull as much through the shot, because of the feeling that pulling through the shot might make you hit your nose more, but actually it will make it less likely that you will hit your nose.

You are always just a fraction of a millimeter away from hitting your nose under the best of circumstances, and it doesn't take much to throw the string into your nose.

Hopefully, one or more of these things will help.  I got a lower poundage bow one time, and exactly the same thing happened to me.  But when you figure it out, you will be much more accurate, and it will be worth it.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Arne and Dave nailed it, but I'll also chime in because I currently struggle with this.

I've noticed that when I anchor with my thumb knuckle of my string hand at the back, outside edge of my jaw, the string hits my nose.

If I make a more concerted effort to bring the string more tightly into my face, with my thumb knuckle more under my jaw and the web of my string hand (J shape) wrapped around the outer jaw, then I have less or no contact with my nose.

I hope this helps.

[AlanD]

Arne: I read quite a while back and I think it was you that wrote it about not chasing the string. Draw the string to you face as you just suggested.
I know for a fact that prior to previously reading about chasing the string, "I was" chasing the string. My shooting was so inconsistent. So I practiced for quite some time on looking at the intended target and drawing to my face not moving my face. I'm glad to say I have finally got that down pretty good. Thank you

Dave: Last week I had my son record my shooting from above. What I saw was that I was pulling my draw elbow to far around to my back and the alignment was off. I never felt it but it show up clear as day on the recording. I didn't get recorded on the other bows so it may be only on the lighter bow, really don't know. I started drawing and having my son tell me if I was in line. That's being a little difficult to get that exact feel because this lighter bow is a little more difficult to feel. But I'm not under drawing.
How I've been approaching my face position is I take my stance, turn my face to the target in what feels like a normal comfortable angle then turn a slight bit more. Not so far that it's uncomfortable and I wouldn't duplicate it. But pretty well facing the target.
What I have found is that if I pull through the shot really really clean it happens "less" but not "not at all". It's hard for me to think I can get to much cleaner on the pull through. More practice I guess.

Fanatic: I can try drawing more tight it's worth a try. Are you thinking you are releasing in a straighter line that way. As it is I anchor at the rear of my jaw. Thumb under jawbone.

This has really become a love/hate relationship with this bow. It's easy to draw. Shot it in a 3D and shot 30 points higher than my previous scores in that tournament. But I'm really" tired of hitting my nose.

[alaninoz]

I have this problem too. Doesn't happen often, but often enough that I use an arm guard for my nose - a piece of sticking plaster. Actually some surgical tape, but same effect.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Alan,

That's exactly what I think is happening. The string drops more cleanly that way for me. Also, they make these small, square bandaids (really small). I use those on my nose and it has cured the pain involved in shooting. This has made all the difference for me, while I work to correct this form issue.

I've tried opening my stance and turning my head more squarely toward the target, but nothing has worked except pulling the string more tightly to my face.

Dennis

[McDave]

This discussion is typical of other discussions I have read and my own experiences regarding hitting the nose or cheek with the string.  People try everything they can think of, and sometimes nothing seems to work.  Then sometimes it just stops all by itself and we don't know why.  I remember Rod Jenkins appearing on Masters of the Bare Bow with a piece of tape on his nose.  You would think if anyone could figure it out, he could, but evidently not.  But I have been in his classes where he doesn't have any tape on his nose, so maybe it comes and goes with him too.

BTW, one thing not mentioned so far is the problem with brass nock indicators.  Sometimes they are the cause and it goes away when people switch to tied on nock indicators.

[Brock]

Every time I have hit my nose or lips...it was from bad form.  I was turning my head to the bow string rather than bringing it to my anchor while still looking at my target.

I found it happened more especially when in the square bow stance of a target archer that many favor still for hunting especially if gap or point of aim shooting.

A solid anchor against face and more open stance is only thing that worked for me.

[AlanD]

I have to think that being as it is on most of my shots but not "every" shot. It is most likely my form is just not perfect. It's just a little frustrating that it's only this bow. And it would be nice if it was a little kinder at informing me of the fact.

I saw Rod on MBB. My form is not as clean as his.
I don't shoot 3 under as he does, I shoot split. Every time I've tried 3 under I've hit my nose hard.
As much as I like the idea of 3 under I've given up on that thought.