Arrow keeps coming off shelf ?

[8up]

I shot for my first time today, as a draw the bow the string is twisting pulling the arrow off the shelf. Is this something I am doing wrong or just that my nocks are too tight?

I am shooting lefty after 17 years of shooting compounds right handed. I shot about 30 shots and didn't miss the bag once  :D   Of course I was only at 5yds and was using 3 different kind and length of arrows.

Thanks all

[Jeff Strubberg]

You are torquing the bowstring (twisting it) as you draw.  Common problem when you start out.  Either you are making a fist with that bow hand and rolling the arrow off the shelf or you are trying to turn your string hand over as you draw.

Relax your bow hand.  Your hand should come straight back on the draw and not change position relative to the string at all.

[Rico]

Why are you switching left Eye dominance? Its got to feel awkward,perhaps a light# left handed bow will help to begin with

[OconeeDan]

Sometimes, people who are starting out use too much fingers on the string, which rolls the string as you are drawing.  Make sure you don't use more than the first joint of your fingers...or slightly less.
Dan

[Whip]

I was working with my wife in trying to get her started and she was having the same problem.  With her, she was kind of bending her wrist away from the string as she placed her fingers on it.  Then when she started to draw the wrist would straighten out which had the effect of pushing the arrow off the shelf.  Hard to explain, hope it made some sense to you.

[Deerhntr]

Are you pinching the arrow knock with your fingers when you draw?

[String Tracker]

Originally posted by Deerhntr:
Are you pinching the arrow knock with your fingers when you draw?

thats why i kind of do.  I use to also point my fingers back at me at 45degree angle and then rotate the string while gripping the nock.  not any more i just pinch the nock and draw.

[Ga.boy]

I used to have the same problem. I started letting the string roll slightly into the crease made by the first finger joints as I drew the bow, and that solved the problem. Doesn't take but a few sessions and it becomes automatic.

[8up]

Jeff I was probably making the fist with my bow hand. It happen more as I started to tire.

Rico, Yes I am left eye dominate. It actually does not feel awkward. I can shoot a rifle either way just as easy.

Deerhntr no I don't think I'm pinching the arrow at least if I am its not been on purpose.

Thannks for all the replys, now I have a better idea what to look for.

[Hood]

I was thinking it might be due to pinching the arrow as well. If this would happen to be the case, just move your fingers further away from the nock than what you have been doing.

Robert

[George Tsoukalas]

Like  Jeff said relax your fingers. You are curling them in. Jawge

[Duffy]

Allmost everyone drops the arrow off the shelf bunches of times when they first start shooting traditional. This little problem will go away after a few hundred shots. Try canting your bow a little and it will help some. Just keep shootin and everything will work out.                                                                        Good luck, Duffy

[8up]

I shoot all my shots with the bow canted. thx

[Shawn Leonard]

I see that a lot ecsp. in young'uns. My grandson takes to big of a deep hook with his fingers. Move the string out towards the tips more. That said, I shoot a fairly deep hook, but starting out you are best to go lighter. shawn

[Noelkman]

I went through this same thing Tuesday morning. I am switching from right to left due to eye problems. The bowyer called for me to come shoot my new bow before he finished the handle. I started rolling the string and pulling the arrow off the shelf. After 38 years of trad shooting I felt like a beginner.
I listened to the voice of experience, the bowyer teaches archery to youth groups and adults, when he told me to hook the string deeper into the first joint and try to pull staight back as possible. It worked. He explained that the muscles on the left side, all the way from my fingers to my back, are not strong enough or trained for shooting. This caused the string to roll and I compensated by pinching the nock.
He told me to practice drawing a lighter bow left handed in front of a mirror making sure the anchor was consistent. I bought an exercise band this morning to use at the office.
Hope this helps

[8up]

I shot twice (30 shots each time) today paying more attention. making sure I was getting to anchor. I was trying to hook the string in the groove of the first knuckles. When the arrow tried to come off the shelf I found I was doing one of two things. Either gripping the bow or letting the bottom finger pull across the string if that makes sense. If I had a tab I would try it. Thank all

[Mike Bolin]

8up-I will send you a lefty tab when I get home next month. It is from ABS and in real good shape. It is a large, but you can trim it down to fit if you need too. Just give me your address and I will get it out the first weekend in Feb. Mike

[ChuckC]

8up...put a pencil between your fingers, as if an arrow when getting ready to draw.   now start to clench your fist, just a bit..like you are starting to pull..  see what happens to that "arrow".  Now, relax it a bit, as if the string is pulling your fingers and they are extending, rather than closing into a fist.  The opposite happens.  The first is what you are doing now.  The second is what you should start doing.  I believe that ...shallow hook, deep hook...doesn't matter as much as what I just described.  Watched a whole bunch of new shooters go thru this and every single time, this is what occurred to cause that.
ChuckC

[8up]

Mike, thank you. I sent you an email.

ChuckC thanks I will try it.