Am I torquing my bow.....??

[bimble]

As I'm shooting my first outdoor shoot next weekend I thought I would take advantage of the lack of wind to get some sightmarks and check my tune. As before I used the French Method (as described here) and once I sorted it out so my arrows were hitting the vertical line both up close and at 50m I noticed something slightly worrying.

To obtain this vertical drop the arrow was well to the left (an arrow's width by the maufacturers markings).

If, like I tried, I reset the centre-shot so it's straight and then do a walkback test (20-50yds) I have an arrow drift in this direction \ of about 5" left to right.

The details are as follows;
bow: alternative eXact, 56-57lb
arrows: 450 X10s, 120gn SS, 27"

I have recently (in the last month) been switched from a wrist release with rope to a Target Master 4 and D loop by my coach.

This wasn't a problem that I had last season with my ACE/FMJs.

[archer_thom]

Very interesting - why did your coach make you change release method? This may shed some light on the subject.

I'd be tempted to say that if it works don't worry, but I know that if it was me I would worry .

Things that I have often heard as causes of such phenomena include twisted limbs, stretched cables, etc. The sight cannot be a cause as the method you used involves leaving well alone. A slight cant of the bow could cause that effect.

The most likely would seem to be form though, if the arrows are going right at longer ranges you may need to set your bow shoulder better (if it were weak that might make the arrows go right).

All of which feels like saying "dunno".

[Marcus26]

Likely bow torque

[archer_thom]

Originally Posted by Marcus26

Likely bow torque

If he says so, it probably is.

[bimble]

Originally Posted by archer_thom

Very interesting - why did your coach make you change release method? This may shed some light on the subject.

I'd be tempted to say that if it works don't worry, but I know that if it was me I would worry .

He had me switch over because he feels that using a (release aid) string off the bow string leaves more sideways movement (archers paradox) than using a D-loop and so he suggested that I give it a go. Even if it gives you only one point over a couple doz. arrows it can be worth it.

And yes it does worry me as it wasn't doing this back at Christmas when I last shot a multi-distance round. And that was with the same arrows, but with the wrist release.

Am I right in saying that torquing stems from a poor bow hand postition putting some sort of rotation onto the riser??

Oh well, least I've got two indoor sessions and Good Friday/Saturday to try and sort it out....

[bimble]

If you had asked me last week I would have told you that I was happy with both my sling and my grip....

Certainly I have been using my sling for nine odd years and am quite happy with letting the bow swing round. In fact, once I got the idea of pulling through the shot with the Target Master 4, if I've done it correctly the bow swings right round with the end of the longrod ending up by my back foot, where as if I punch the release I manage to catch the bow when it's about halfway through it's swing.

I suppose there is the chance that I have been concentrating on this new release malarky that my grip on the bow has shifted slightly and I've not noticed, but I have been shooting this bow for six or seven years and so it feels very second nature.

[Marcus26]

It could also be face contact on the string and the change of release has varied the way the string is being moved with this string contact.
Where do the arrows land if you avoid touching the string totally?

[bimble]

Busy couple of days, was at Quicks to see John Dudley and after he was slightly dismissive about my bow, it took offence and several of the strands by the peep-sight snapped.

Luckily I have a spare bow that is very similar, unfortunally it seems that the same problem exists.

I forgot to bring my wrist release to practice this afternoon so I couldn't check to see how different the rear anchor is, but I will be taking it along on Tuesday when I see my coach.

I did try different hand positions but couldn't find anything that felt that comfortable, mainly because I'm using a shoot-through cable system and so I'm rather limited in where I can put my hand and not hit the cables. I am considering getting a non shoot-through system when I get my string replaced.

[Marcus26]

Originally Posted by bimble

I did try different hand positions but couldn't find anything that felt that comfortable, mainly because I'm using a shoot-through cable system and so I'm rather limited in where I can put my hand and not hit the cables. I am considering getting a non shoot-through system when I get my string replaced.

That would be a very good idea IMHO.

[bimble]

Sent an email off to Alt to ask them about a nonshoot-through cable system and they were rather less than impressed with the idea. To the point that if the cables were clipping my arm then;

If you arm is hitting the cables then your form is wrong and will be wrong whatever bow you shoot

which is sort of annoying as you'd have thought that if it was that wrong one of the coaches that I've seen might have mentioned it sometime along the line....

Originally Posted by Yorker

Has the release changed your rear hand position at all? This could be a factor worth considering.

Which is a question I'd missed earlier. Looking through some photos on John Dudley's site I spotted that most compounders appeared to be shooting their handheld releases horizontal using their first knuckle to anchor.

When I switched to my handheld release I hold it virtical (or nearly) and use the second knuckle to anchor... with my wrist release the hand was horizontal using the 1st knuckle. Could this be pulling the bow closer towards my body and thus causing some of my problems??

I feel a bit of practice is needed tomorrow. Just as well my first FITA has been cancelled due to the City Council digging up the shooting line!!!