Why do I get the terrible one bad flyer?

[Hopewell Tom]

The loose nut right behind the bow doesn't seem too far off. Those flyers have a real back to reality feel. Nice tight group going, feeling pretty good.... My wife does psychotherpy and says everything we've done is still in your mind no matter how long gone or desired to be forgotten. I always go back over that flyer shot and the reason is there. And I believe it's the concentration thingy.
TOM

[AllenR]

Do you have a tied in nock point below your arrow?  Sometimes if the release isn't just right, the nock can slide down the string a little during the power stroke.

The #1 reason that I get fliers is my bow hand.  Both position and inconsistent tension.

[Joshua Lee]

I have a similar problem..in bed. Just kidding but seriously, I shoot between 4 and 6 arrows and I noticed that If one of the shots is perfect it is almost a certainty that one of the next arrows is going to be way off.  I think, at least for me, it is a combination of loss of concentration and loss of target.  I think that because I'm so cheap that subconsciously I really can't aim at my other arrow.  So, since making this realization after a perfect arrow I pick another spot on the target to aim at, and it has decreased my wild of center cheapass shots.
Fellow Newbie
Josh

[Terry Green]

Didn't read the responses....but here's a few.

Lack of concentration

Lack of confidence

Afraid of missing

2nd guessing

Self doubt

Double clutching

Telling yourself to release

Panic at release

Most of the time if it is not the same arrow over and over...its is a MENTAL breakdown.

[maineac]

I would agree with most, and your own diagnosis, concentration.  I know when it is a good shot, and bad also.  And when it is bad I know that I was not fully focused, but just winging one down range at the whole target rather than a small spot on the target.  This sometimes happens if I have shot a couple of rally tight shots, I just expect the next one to fly to the same place and let my concentration drop, and what do you know, it is off

[jerryb]

Cut yourself down to no more than four arrows at a time. and consentrate on every arrow.

[mahantango]

For a right handed shooter, especially me, a high left hit usually means I got careless  with my anchor and didn't get the nock under my eye, but floating somewhere off to the side of my face. Happens when I lose concentration, cold, tired etc.

[Bowferd]

I've had the same problem for a looong time.
Now shoot no more than 4 before taking a stroll to retrieve them.
The improvement since using a deep hook and concentrating on relaxed string hand have almost cured my flyers.
Groups are tighter and penetration into the target is enough to keep me working on form.

[Rob DiStefano]

my best guess is that it's either a mental or physical issue - or both.

mental - lack of concentration.  if you can shoot 5 good arrows, so should you shoot a sixth one.

physical - shooting too many arrows, timed too close together, can push the shooter's physical limitations, particularly with a hunting weight trad bow.  shoot one arrow, two at best.  stop for at least a few minutes.  resume.  

practice should be reasonably close to hunting simulation and not target shooting.  that means taking only a few shots at an interval, and mix up the shooting positions and distances,

[Dawnpatrol]

The one errant arrow sounds like a form issue to me. I get the same thing when I don;'t relax my sting finger at release. If you are a right handed shooter and the arrow is constantly right you ar probably collapsing during the shot. If it is going left you my be plucking the string by pullin away from your face and sending the arrow left.

[HUNT 24/7]

Sorry, but what does plucking the string mean???

[HUNT 24/7]

TTT

[lpcjon2]

Imo when you release instead of your fingers releasing uniformly and smooth the string comes off the fingers with part of the finger or fingers draging on the string.half bend your fingers and lightly pull them across your string like you are releasing and let them drag a little and you will hear the pluck. wwhhhaaaanngg!
Oh and it makes for an inconsistent (not smooth)launch.thats what could make an arrow go astray.

[canshooter]

I have had the same problem on numerous occasions and it has always boiled down to either a poor release or a form problem. I have to watch myself because I have a habit of dropping the bow arm to peek at the shot. I also pluck the string or twanging as I call it. When one of these things goes wrong I am instantly aware that the shot is bad but not always sure why.

[Big Fisherman]

I shoot right handed.  Two thing which cause high lefts are  1) not bringing your right hand to a firm solid anchor  2) tilting your head too far foreward over the arrow.

[Pete Darby]

MY errant arrow is the nut behind the bow.  I just don't tend to pay attention when shooting groups so I am working on it.  However, when I miss high and right (I'm a leftie) is is because I have the weight of the bow to high in my hand and that applies to both recurve and HH bows.

[Ssamac]

Premature release is a good one, LOL.

Anyway, I get a couple of fliers at every practice.  I would say 9 out of 10 it's concentration. When I get loose and start shooting too many arrows too fast one goes "oops" and I have to pull myself back.

Try shooting 3 arrows at a time. One thing I've done is put 2 targets 20 yards apart. I shoot 3 to one target and then turn  around, pull them and shoot 3 back the other way, etc. The walk between keep you from rushing shots. I also don't pull all 3 arrows at once. I pull one and shoot, pull another and shoot, etc

Works for me.

Sam

[SpencerL]

I Don't have enough room for 2 Targets 20 yds apart from the center, but do put 20 yds between 2 target and walk back and forth.