Fly away arrows

[Wilbur K]

I'm just getting my form consistent and can group arrows from 25 yards somewhat then suddenly one arrow will fly true horizontally but really high. Anyone have a guess at what am I doing differently with that shot? I can't seem to figure out the difference.

[McDave]

A high flyer can be caused by too low of a string elbow, causing you to pull down on the back of the arrow.  It can also be caused by a semi-pluck.  In a full blown pluck, you lose back tension and in an effort to get the arrow off before you collapse, you pluck the string which generally causes a right miss or sometimes a high right miss.  In a semi-pluck, you begin to lose back tension at the same time you release the arrow.  As things generally go, you tend to begin to lose tension in your bow arm at the same time you begin to lose back tension, causing your bow arm to rise and a high miss.  The solution is to be aware of the position of your string elbow, to maintain back tension through the shot, and, of course, to maintain your concentration on the spot you want to hit.

[Jock Whisky]

Could also be the arrow sliding down the string a bit at release. Try a second nocking point under the nock.

[reddogge]

Perhaps simple as dropping your anchor.

[Wilbur K]

I shoot three under. I've been pulling too much with my third finger as opposed to my index finger. I corrected that but still sling an out-of-the-blue high shot in the middle of a good set. Will work on elbow and watch the anchor. I'm not sure I understand the semi-pluck or the pluck comment. Am I not releasing my fingers fast enough? Thanks for the help.

[TomatoLane]

Are your arrow nocks real real tight on your string?

I had that problem awhile back was getting the arrant arrow.

A guy at a hunting club, said that, if I was not perfect,or lazy with my draw hand,a to tight arrow nock will exaggerate it.

I filed mine down, to just a slight, snap of the nock on the string.

Now more arrant arrows, unless I am just plain willy nilly with my draw form.

[Wilbur K]

Interesting about the nock tightness. Seems like my arrow nocks are tight. They take a good push and "ting" sound to get them on but I have nothing to compare this to. Just shot off a few rounds and the elbow placement is definitely one of the problems. Are there any tricks to consistent elbow height on your draw?

[TomatoLane]

Yes! go to sleep with your bow.    

And put a set of headphones on,and listen to moebow videos while your sleeping.  

Practice the rotational draw, with a band.

Moebow has a good video on it.

[McDave]

Your nocks need to be a little tighter to shoot 3 under than they do for split.  However, they should still be just tight enough so they don't fall off the string once they are broken in.

Everyone has some degree of relaxation of back tension when they release the arrow. The best shots are the ones with the least amount of relaxation of back tension until the arrow is clear of the bow.  You can improve this by using a Formaster, or just by being aware of it, so you know which shots had good back tension, and which ones were sloppy.  If they get too sloppy, and you start collapsing before the release happens, then you should really let down the shot at that point.  If you don't, and don't manage to recover back tension, that's when you pluck the shot.  If you don't get a crisp release because you're just beginning to lose a little back tension during your release, but don't go into a full blown collapse, that's when you can get a high flyer or other kinds of missed shots.

Your elbow needs to be where the force of drawing the bow is directly in line with the arrow.  Sometimes, when viewed from the side, the elbow appears to be a little high when it's in the correct position.  You should be able to become aware of the feeling when it's in the correct place.  However, even then there will be times when you lose concentration and don't pay any attention to where your elbow is.  Your elbow may droop when you get a little tired or have shot a lot of shots.  After I shoot a high flyer, in the next shot, I make sure my elbow is up where it should be and that I'm maintaining as much back tension as I'm capable of through the conclusion of the shot.

[Wilbur K]

I just worked on finger pressure, a flat hand and making sure my elbow position was consistent, and I was nailing the center of the target. Then I got distracted and lost and arrow in the snow missing hard right. Ugh. Thanks for the help. This was a nice breakthrough for me.

[Wilbur K]

I just reread the post. To clarify, I did really have a breakthrough. The lost arrow thing was a sort of a funny irony in the middle of the improvement. Thanks