What am I doing wrong?

[Al Dean]

Assuming my bows and arrows are near perfectly tuned, bare shaft method.  Occassionaly when I go to shoot my arrows start flying tail low as though my nocking point is wrong.  I know the nocking point is correct but no matter how hard I try and concentrate on form and release the arrows fly tail low.  If I check a bare shaft they are also way tail low.  Then as if by magic everything is flying perfect again and I have no idea what I did to correct the flight.  What in the world am I doing?  I am shooting split finger although it will happen on 3 under also.

Assuming you're correct that they are indeed near perfectly tuned, I can only think of a few things.  1) You're creeping a considerable amount. 2) You're putting downward pressure on the nock. 3) Your nocks are slipping down the string--a nocking point under the nock will stop that.

[Al Dean]

I have tried the second nock, doesn't seem to matter when this issue happens.  I don't have my index finger touching the nock when I start to draw.  That only leaves creeping which I can't identify.  My release has got to be pure crap, but for the life of me I can't see or feel it.  I also make sure I am not gripping the bow at all.  My only thought is that my draw elbow gets out of whack high but I really can't sense a bad form issue.

[S.C. Hunter]

Next time you shoot place all four fingers on the string. The little finger may not hook that is fine. I do this from time to time and it gives you a sense of pulling equally on the string all the way to anchor. When you release the string do so by pulling all the way through the shot. Your fingers will naturally relax as you pull through and your shoulder blades touch. The added benefit of all fingers on the string is the bow will feel 5# lighter. It is a good drill for me. Just like in golf, what you think you are doing and what you are really doing are often very different. What am I doing wrong, can often be a very long list. We compensate in different ways to hide where we are weak. We do this because we don't enjoy doing what is necessary to become better. I am not saying you have any weaknesses. But we all have to look at the things we do well in a given activity and then indentify where we are weak. Remember a chain is as strong as its weakest link.

[Stumpkiller]

How do you know your nock point is correct?  If the nock flies low it is an indication you have to raise your nock point.

Did you spin check your all your shafts for the nocks being mounted correctly?

[njloco]

I have this problem on occasion, only my arrows kick up, It is in my release, because everything else has been eliminated as in your case, did you try some blank bale shooting ? Try doing it for a few days of practice and just concentrate on form, which is what it is for.

[Bill Skinner]

I will guess that you are "strumming" instead of releasing cleanly.  It is a form of plucking, except instead of pulling away from your face, you hand is pivoting down at the wrist like you are strumming a banjo.  You may have a high drawing elbow when you do this, also.  When you use proper form and lower your elbow, your problem goes away.  It may happen when you are tired or stressed, your neck, shoulders and back are tight.  Try loosening you muscles if it starts happening again.  Bill

[kawika b]

How heavy of a draw do you pull and how long have you been shooting that weight? Do you start to see the issues at the beginning of you shooting or after a few ends?

[Al Dean]

Shooting 50-55# or so.  been that weight for several years.  Usually happens right off the start, but as I shoot and fatigue and stress as I try to correct it gets worse.  Just put the bow away and try for another day.  I think Bill may have it pretty well nail.  I do have a new Widow pma that doesn't seem to have this issue.  It is 46#.

[Big Ed]

I have found that lowering your shooting elbow and increasing your index finger pressure will eliminate this issue.

[kadbow]

Try a deep hook grip on the string, it always gives me a smoother release.

[Larry Altizer]

Try a loose grip on your riser...

[LongStick64]

If you are shooting better with a lower weight bow, sounds like your string hand is tensing up with the heavier bows, you might be curling you hand too much, try to maintain a straight backhand.