Hitting my Face

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I recently changed my anchor point and have found it to be quite an improvement as far as shot placement however, I find I often hit my face with the release.

What causes this?  obviously the release of tension but what are things I can try to prevent this from happening?  It doesn't happen on every shot just about 1 out of every 5-10.  

All those shots though seem to be right on!  I would like the good shots to continue just want to stop whacking my face   :confused:

[Winterhawk1960]

Charles,

I'm gonna take a guess and say that you are shooting with a tab, of some sorts. I too, just recently changed my anchor point from the corner of my mouth to my earlobe. I know find, that when I use my tab, I tend to hit the side of my face.........mainly because I try to keep my release hand in constant contact with my face, even after the release happens.

When I use my glove, it doesn't happen. Not sure why........but it doesn't.

Winterhawk1960

[Hedge Apple]

I changed my anchor last year and had similar issues. After experimenting a little, I found if I turn my face towards the target, the string will not contact my face.

[Igor]

Turning my face more to the target cured a couple of ills of mine including the string scraping my lips!

that hurts....


><>
Glenn

[xtrema312]

Your head should always face the target.  It will help you focus on it a lot better.  With a far out on the face anchor you can get away with all kinds of stuff because your string is out front.  With a glove you can get always with the same because the longer fingers hold the string out from your head.  You have just discovered a flaw in your form.  Now you can fix it.  

I have been there.  :D

[tawmio]

turning your face more will help
I know what it feels like to get my nose in the way.

[Earthdog]

CR,you say "hit your face with the release".
Do you mean the string as some folks seem to think,or do you mean the tab hits your face ?.
If as I think,you mean your tab,,then just pull harder on the string as you release,make pull harder part of your shot seqence and you won't hit your face because by the time the tab slaps back,your hand will be nowhere near your face.
Slapping the face is to my way of thinking indicitive of two things,either a dead release or a slight collapse at full draw.
If you shoot a dead release,it happens,,if not then the continuing to pull harder right through the shot will solve the problem.
If your hitting your face with the string,,,,no ideas sorry.

[JDL]

When this happens to me it is usually due to one of the following...

1. Plucking the string - I have to envision myself  opening my fingers when this happens.

2. Poor back tension. If you are pulling the string when you release instead of holding it your going to slap yourself.

3. String too close to the ends of my fingers.
 This is counterintuitive to me; however, when I only take a small amount of string it happens every time but when I put the string closer to the first crease everything seems to work out ok.

Someone with some seniority might want to chime in and let me know if this actually makes sense if any of these actions might cause a negative effect...

[bshunter]

I have developed the same problem lately, I have been steadily increasing my draw since I went to a clicker over a year ago,(27 3/4 to over 29"), anyway, I dropped back to 28 3/4 draw and that seemed to help, plus what others have already said...make sure your face/nose stays pointed at the target.

[BigCnyn]

Sounds Familiar..lol
I increased my draw length also over time. I was smacking my nose with the string on release. What was happening, I was turning my head with the draw to the right(rh shooter). I was turning my head as I tried to get longer. I had to conscientiously, keep my head straight and pull to my anchor. Expand the chest and get alignment with shoulders for a long time to get the problem corrected. I still pull to conclusion, Or keep real good back tension.I Don't hit as often as I did, but occasionally.. ooooweeee

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Selwyn, Jay,

You guys are correct when you notice it is my tabs that hit my face not the string.  I try to hold my hand still when releasing, I will try the back tension and see what happens.  I think it's like the guys that try to hold the bow steady after the shot, if you notice a lot of times it drops just a bit and then snaps back, I think the same is true with the release hand.  

The funny thing is this really only happens when I am thinking about what I am doing.  If I just see a target and shoot I have no issues.  perhaps I just think to much.

[xtrema312]

Back tension and pull through the shot should do it.  If your arm is relaxed it will shoot back at least to the back of your head if you sting arm is in line with the arrow.  It takes tension in the muscles of the forearm to do a static release.  The problem with a static release is that you are trying to hold in one spot and still pull with the back.  A lot of people do it well, but a lot of people also collapse some on the shot.  That can cause plucking and hand fly out. If you are trying to have a static release and have hand fly out on a partial collapse or incomplete draw you will likely swat your face.  At least that is the way it worked for me.  Some days it was smooth and other days it was not.  Now I do a dynamic release and I am way more consistent.  My hand fly out is non-existent, and I get at least some decent follow through on all shots.