Plucking the string. Hit right or hit left?

[jonsimoneau]

Guys for a right handed shooter.  Does plucking the string cause you to hit right or left?  To me it seems like pulling the string off of the side of your face would cause your bow to point left and cause left hitting arrows. I'm I correct on this?

[moebow]

In general, Yes.  BUT, it kinds of depends on the cause of the pluck too.  If it is caused by collapse then you may get right hits (right hander) but it is most common that a flying sting hand will cause a left hit.

Arne

[jonsimoneau]

Arne I think this is what my problem is. What in your opinion is the best way to correct plucking?

[moebow]

Again, depends on the cause.  Back tension would be first in my mind, followed by allowing the release to happen and never thinking, "I gotta shoot NOW!!"  With those two ideas, correct BT will have the hand moving to the rear and right along the cheek.  

One other thought is that your forearm, wrist and hand should be relaxed during the draw, anchor and release.

Arne

[joebuck]

Rick Welch says a pluck will produce a right hit and moving bow arm will cause a left hit...

[moebow]

joebuck,  I don't disagree.  But again, I think it is more due to the REASON for the "pluck."  And, frankly what you define as a pluck.

A "pluck" or flying sting hand is just a symptom of something going on in the process.  That's why it is so hard to help without seeing the individual's shot sequence.

Like Terry says, there are no "hard and fast" answers.  Each situation needs to be studied for the cause.

Arne

[Diamond Paul]

When I pluck, my bow arm moves left and I hit left.  When I collapse, my bow arm moves right and I hit right (usually quite far right).  My plucks come from using too much muscle other than back and trying to "hold," rather than pulling (my anchor stays in place, but the "pull" never stops, if that makes sense) through the shot.  When I "hold," my hand will fly out sideways rather than back and into my shoulder, and the bow will jump the opposite way, rather than going straight to the target.  This is my most common form mistake, and I am prone to shoot left.