Need some help/advice

[heritagehunter]

I noticed the other day while shooting my bow that I am torquing the bow every so often. When I shoot I keep a loose grip in the bow and try and drive my hand forward at release.

Any suggestions on how to stop this?

[ecgreen]

I had this problem a few years ago when I started. Here is how I fixed it. Get a BIG target, like four bails of hay. Get about 5 yards from it. Aim the bow roughly so you won't have your arrow flying off target and CLOSE YOUR EYES. Focus on how the bow feels in your hand and slowly pull the release. The lack of visual stimulus really helped me relax my form. Make sure that no one is around when you do this...lol

[MKMGOBL]

Buy yourself a bow/wrist sling and shoot with an open grip letting the force of the bow to rest in the web of your hand Or if that scares ya, try tucking or folding your grip fingers into the grip or on the side plates and use your thumb around the back of the grip. You can also use your index finger and/or middle finger as well around the top of your grip but keep it loose. This with help with torque on the bow. I shoot with either an open hand 99% of the time or sometime I tuck my fingers without a wrist sling. Both ways work for me.

The other thing you can do is ask your local shop if they have other grips to try that will work better with your shooting style. What I mean is I shoot with a medium wrist. My wrist is not bent real low or raised up high. I wish there were photos to show you what I mean. I'll look for some photos of it but for starters, try the sling and shoot with no grip. Don't worry, it won't be long before you learn and feel comfortable that your bow is not going to fly out of your hands

Here ya go HH Photos in this link will show the high, medium and low grips. I didn't read the article so it might have advice for you better than what I posted

archeryguide.net/?p=170

[heritagehunter]

Thanks guys.

MKM that website was really helpful. Going to try adjusting how I hold the bow and see if it works.

Filed & Stream had a write up this month as well and last night I got my copy. Seems like grip is the consensus on what is causing my problems.

[MKMGOBL]

The question is now....did I give out the right advice I still have yet to read what the link I found said about it.

[regnar]

MKMN hit it on the head. Great article and from what I have been taught it is right on the money.

Here are a couple other tips that I have been taught.

First the article is correct about the grip. But how to get into it the same way every time? Hold your had out like you were telling someone to stop. That will get your hand and wrist in the same position every time. Fit right in there against the pad of the thumb.

What else causes torque? making a bow completely stable on a target bow is much easier than a hunting bow. Target bows use counter weights on the right side to help keep the bow in a straight up and down position. Most hunters dont do this. Not only do they have the sight but they more often than naught have a quiver full of arrows on the bow as well. This makes the bow want to lean and when this happens most people will grip the bow or put pressure on it with their grip and try and hold it straight up and down.

What you should do is maintain a loose grip but instead of gripping the bow you need to lean your body left or right to make the correction. Many people dont use a bubble on their sight but imho, it is absolutely necessary. It allow you to constantly put you bow in the same position every time, thus helping to reduce the need to try and push the bow to vertical and therefore increasing accuracy.

ecgreen,

I have never heard of that used for torquing a bow. Target panic yes but not torquing.

kind of on the same subject, if anyone wants to see how an un level bow effects accuracy, tilt one a few degrees to the side and shoot an arrow at 20-30-40-and 50. You will be amazed at how far off you will be. j IF you have a level you can actually practice this shot so you know how far to aim left or right if the situation arises. Something like leaning around a tree to get a shot but you cant get the bow level.

[MKMGOBL]

Jul 24, 2012 22:31:52 GMT -5 regnar said:

I have never heard of that used for torquing a bow. Target panic yes but not torquing.

I tried to break my brother of his target panic years ago that way but I didn’t have him release on the target. He didn’t always do it but for some reason unknown to us, he would draw back on a deer and start with his pin at the ground below the deer’s belly or at the ground of a target. He would then raise his bow and as his pin passed by the spot he was aiming for, he would release and never stop to hold the pin. Maybe he was drawing his bow with his finger on the release and it went off on him a few times, I don't know. What I do know is it really messed with his shooting for a long time.

Anyways, the idea was to let him get use to the fact that he can hold it and let off at any given time without releasing the arrow. Not sure if it ever fixed his issue seeing he wasn’t too happy or eager to work on it at the time.

In the end, I can see what you're saying ec standing close to the target and clearing your mind to concentrate on your form and release would work

The input on the level is good regnar I have to admit it though I am not one who uses the level when shooting I've peeked at it from time to time when shooting and it seems to always be good so I don't focus on it that much. Maybe it from all the years of shooting archery or I'm just one lucky SOB ;D but my shooting form seems to be right on.

[regnar]

Not that your not lucky because we know your are!!!!! But you just strike me as the type of hunter that hunts in complete control and does not step out side of that. I tend to push the envelope. Nothing wrong with either nor is one right or wrong, just different.

I dont focus on the bubble either but I do glance at it during my shot routine. Usually it is just a conformation that everything is ok but occasionally it points out that there is some cant in the bow. Usually when leaning out and around the tree and shooting at a target that is on a side hill.