Why is my arrow hitting left

[Submarinokotbw]

Hi All,
I am a right handed shooter. I have my arrows tuned perfectly, bareshaft and paper tuned, to my bow. However when I am out shooting I have a consistent problem of hitting way to the left every once and a while. almost never do I hit to the right, and when they do it is easy to identify as a pluck. I think occasional trend left, what form errors can contribute to left hitting arrow?
Thanks

[Scott E]

Lots of things can make you hit left. Plucking the string is a common one for right handed shooters and is easily identified. It will take some serious time at blank bale to get rid of it.

Grip, string alignment, bad follow through and inconsistent anchor all could contribute to left and right problems.

Best thing to do is post a form video with multiple angles.

[Angus]

yep, sounds like a release issue to me.  I have the same thing going on every now and then, and I see it's usually because I pluck rather than let the string slide off my fingers and bring my hand back to my shoulder in a proper follow through.

[gonefishing600]

I agree with all the above posts, but one thing you can do to check your self during a practice session, is try some heavier field tips, say 25 to 50 grains heavier, and see if it pulls your arrows to the right a bit.

Good luck!

[RETARMY06]

I shoot to the left if I try to hold to an actual anchor point. In other words the longer I hold, the more to the left I shoot. When I release as I'm still pulling back (so I guess I never actually use a solid anchor) I'm dead on accurate. I actually aim as I am pulling back and when I can't pull it back any further I release as I am still pulling back. It is actually very easy to be consistent. You just have to pay attention to how it feels when that point is reached and replicate that feel every time.
It might not be textbook, but it works for me.

[RETARMY06]

I shoot to the left if I try to hold to an actual anchor point. In other words the longer I hold, the more to the left I shoot. When I release as I'm still pulling back (so I guess I never actually use a solid anchor) I'm dead on accurate. I actually aim as I am pulling back and when I can't pull it back any further I release as I am still pulling back. It is actually very easy to be consistent. You just have to pay attention to how it feels when that point is reached and replicate that feel every time.
It might not be textbook, but it works for me.

[TRAD101]

If as you say everything is tuned perfectly, then
I would guess that you are plucking the string,
which for me usually happens when I loose back
tension or stop pushing with the bow hand. If you
maintain a push pull using your back muscles to
draw, when you relax the drawing hand the string
will move the fingers out of the way. If you are
drawing with your arm muscles when you release the
string it will have a tendency to roll off the fingers which I believe exaggerates the archers
paradox to one side or the other which can throw
the arrow off. just my personal opinion/no expert

[beaunaro]

You might have something there, Rick.A couple of months ago, I was having trouble shooting to the left terribly. Especially with my Bear TD which isn't cut past center as much as some of my other bows. I thought it was the bow at first, but then I started to shoot left with my other bows too.
What helped the most was concentrating on keeping my head straight up and down instead of leaning it to the right into the bow.
But I'll bet my form was suffering from not keeping my back tension as well.
This is a good thing to keep in mind.
Thanks for this info.

[beaunaro]

You might have something there, Rick.A couple of months ago, I was having trouble shooting to the left terribly. Especially with my Bear TD which isn't cut past center as much as some of my other bows. I thought it was the bow at first, but then I started to shoot left with my other bows too.
What helped the most was concentrating on keeping my head straight up and down instead of leaning it to the right into the bow.
But I'll bet my form was suffering from not keeping my back tension as well.
This is a good thing to keep in mind.
Thanks for this info.

[LongStick64]

I am going to say you might not be aligned right. Look at Terry's clock. If your draw elbow is out of line with the arrow, it can cause you problems.

[poekoelan]

My thoughts on dealing with the problem of hitting left.....

I am a right handed archer too and I DON'T think it's a string plucking issue, at least not for me. Whenever I pluck the string or jerk the release, my shot goes wide right, not left.

For this right handed archer, I think the problem is creeping forward with my release hand. I was doing this off and on for a long time but I couldn't figure out why I was doing it. Then it hit me. I was losing tension and creeping forward because I was anticipating the shot. Almost like peeking in rifle shooting. I'm still working on this, but shots that go wide left have been greatly reduced for me. Just passing on what is working for me.

[D.J. Carr]

When I shoot left I have typically 2 reasons
1. concentrate on my bow hand/arm, I am usually torqueing the bow, I get my pinky and ring finger off the bow and usually the problem is resolved.  2. I also can creep my release as noted above.

[kirkbow]

this all sounds like good insight for i also have an occasional left or wild arrow too...

thanks all

kirk

[cahaba]

If I pluck the string or don't get proper back tension I shoot left. Proper back tension,smooth release and steady bow arm makes for a good shot.