What causes one to start hitting left

[txcookie]

It's been 2 days but it's consistant. I was just fine now I just keep hitting left. What can it be. I'm so frustrated.

[peanut39350]

When my form is not perfect i shoot left it gets worse when i get tired, I haven't been aboe to pin point what exactly in my form causes it but i know for me its form flaw

[txcookie]

I put on a release and everything straightened out.

[forestdweller]

I tend to miss left A LOT as well. Matter of fact it's my #1 problem.

From what I understand and have experienced it's due to two things. Bow torque and/or not canting the bow enough.

I'm speaking from personal experience here but if I cant the bow more my arrows tend to straighten out and I can align the arrow up with my target better in my peripheral vision.

Also the most common form of bow torque (pushing the riser counter clockwise) will cause the arrows to go left as well.

A less than ideal release will also cause torque which will again send your arrows to the left for a right handed shooter.

This is probably why with a release aid your arrows are shooting straight.

[McDave]

These are the most common reasons I shoot left, as a RH shooter (other than tuning issues).

1.  Not getting my elbow behind the arrow, i.e. not coming to full draw

2.  Not getting my dominant eye over the arrow

3.  Torqueing the bow or the string

4.  The arrow slides to the left on the rest

5.  Alignment:  my shoulders are pointed to the left of the target

[Sirius Black]

I was going to comment, but McDave hit it.

[Terry Green]

Lack of back tension can cause it....

[Sam McMichael]

What Terry said.... unless the lack of back tension leads to plucking the string, which causes me then to shoot right.

[forestdweller]

One other thing I forgot to mention is make sure you have a solid sight picture that allows you to see the back and front of the arrow.

I've had problems missing left (still do get the occasional miss left, more than I'd like).

Sometime's it's as simple as the front of the arrow appearing as though it's pointing straight but in actuality the rear of the arrow is pointing to the left causing left misses.

This is where heavily canting the bow comes into play as it puts the line (the whole arrow) directly under the eye so you can see the front, back, and middle of the arrow and keep it lined up on target.

[EWill]

The two main reasons that I shoot left have already been mentioned so I want to re-iterate them:
1. I'm not lining up my left (bow) shoulder with the target
2. My back tension is not optimal

In regards to this I have noticed that when I have proper back tension it pulls my left shoulder into alignment with the target and I get better results. I also get a better release with proper back tension.

[SteelyDan]

Can overdrawing the arrow cause a left grouping?

Could pulling to a longer 28 inch draw instead of a more comfortable 27 or 27 1/2 inch cause a mis-alignment?
Thanks,
SD

[Jock Whisky]

Good set of reasons above.
When I don't keep my back tension engaged until the arrow hits the target I'll collapse, or "follow the arrow". Even the slightest bit of this will cause me to shoot left. But when I maintain back tension throughout the shot it's a thing of beauty

[Iwillsurvivemich]

Increase brace height 1/2-3/4"

[Hasbro]

Steely Dan... yes,  overdrawing causes ME left misses.  I need to come to full draw, but not so far that my back muscles have no more room to pull.  I will be out of alignment  & get off the string into my face.
For me, i tend to get a weak bow arm... not extending or pushing fully towards the target.  That coupled with a strong and extended back tension draw pulls me left every time.

[Hasbro]

Ha! Old post lol...

[nhbuck1]

short drawing does to my which causes a stiffer arrow

[catman1]

Originally posted by nhbuck1:
short drawing does to my which causes a stiffer arrow

Me too..

[Draven]

Arrow nock too tight on the string can cause that too sometimes, even if is full draw .

[LongbowArchitect]

When I shoot to the left I find that my bow arm "wanders" slightly to the left as I am releasing the arrow. Steady bow arm before, during and after the shot has cured that problem for me.