String hits face when I use a tab?

[Predator Man]

I have been trying to switch to a tab lately but the bow string will rake down the side of my face when I release. I have tried about 5 different types of tabs. I shoot 3 under. Any suggestions? I have no issues with a glove but the tab gives me a little cleaner release.

My face is red and missing a layer of skin... help!!!  

[Predator Man]

The only thing I have been doing lately that's different is double serving above and below my nocking point instead of using a brass nock. I doubt this has anything to do with it.

[SveinD]

Keep at it, and you'll develop superskin, like seamstresses and such ^^

[inn8hunter]

Is the face "scraping" normal? I notice that as my draw lengthened over my first month of newbie shooting, my right cheek is pretty scratched up at times.

Tim

[Butch Speer]

I had a similar problem Thought it was the string scraping my face. My tab was too big. I cut the tab so that when I wrap my fingers on the string, I have about 3/8" of finger tips showing. I can feel my anchor much better & no longer scrape my face. Hope this helps.

[m midd]

i do sometimes as well but my prblem is over drawing

[Kenneth]

Originally posted by Butch Speer:
I had a similar problem Thought it was the string scraping my face. My tab was too big. I cut the tab so that when I wrap my fingers on the string, I have about 3/8" of finger tips showing. I can feel my anchor much better & no longer scrape my face. Hope this helps.

I won't say for sure but if I were a betting man I'd put my money on what Butch said about the tab being too big.  I bought an XL tab to use with winter gloves on and it slaps me pretty good when I'm not wearing gloves.

[30coupe]

Originally posted by Butch Speer:
I had a similar problem Thought it was the string scraping my face. My tab was too big. I cut the tab so that when I wrap my fingers on the string, I have about 3/8" of finger tips showing. I can feel my anchor much better & no longer scrape my face. Hope this helps.

You beat me to it Butch. I usually go with 1/4", but the idea is the same. If you tab comes to the end of your fingers, it is too long and will push the string into your face. The tab itself can also hit your face if it is too long. Most of them come larger than needed so you can trim to fit. Go slowly though and stop when the string no longer hits your face.

[Raminshooter]

Predator,

This problem comes from the fact that when using a glove the string is actually farther from your face that when using a tab.  I believe you need to focus on not anchoring so tight to your face and your problem will be solved.  You would instinctively do this over time but at the cost of several more layers of skin.  Good luck with it.

[metsastaja]

Originally posted by Butch Speer:
I had a similar problem Thought it was the string scraping my face. My tab was too big. I cut the tab so that when I wrap my fingers on the string, I have about 3/8" of finger tips showing. I can feel my anchor much better & no longer scrape my face. Hope this helps.

I did this worked perfect.

[Predator Man]

Thanks guys. I will give that a try. I hope it works because I really think the tab will make me a better archer once I get used to it.

[cgeiser]

Predator Man,
please keep us (me) posted. I have the same problem and have trimmed the tab quite short but still have the problem. I'm curious if you find the trimming works or if you find another fix.
Che

[xtrema312]

I don't cut a tab back more than just short of my finger tips when curled on the string.  A little shorter is fine, but I don't find it necessary.  The shortest I have ever gone is just longer than the first joint in my middle finger when my hand is open with finger extended.  I anchor very tight to the face and with thumb knuckle behind the jaw and index under the cheek bone.  I had a face rub for a very short time.  I believe it was the string and was due to insufficient deep hook particularly in the index finger in combination with not getting all three fingers to go limp on release.  If you don't get your finger curled in well and relaxed at the release  they don't blow open and get the string out.  The string slips out off the finger tips and hits the face.  Having your face turned into the string also is a culprit I think for people changing from a glove to a tab.  You can get away with a lot of face turn into the string with the extra length of the gloves finer tips.  I shoot a tab most all the time now, but I have been playing with a few gloves.  I shot way left, right handed, with a glove.  I have to turn my face more into the string to get my eye over the arrow.

[canshooter]

When I am shooting at my best the string often hits the tip of my nose. I end up with red broken blood vessels. Its embarrasing. Yesterday I shot a 484/600 at 10 ring and ended up looking like Rudolph!

[CoilSpring]

Try a more open stance and/or cant your bow to align the eye above the arrow nock, and therefore, away from your face/nose. Practice these looking into a mirror (for the alignment) as you draw an arrow, but only if you don't have target panic.