longbow probs

[snafflepup]

Hello being new to the sport i have had a small lesson and started off with a longbow as i wanted to quick and uncomplicated fun to get me started with all hasnt gone quite wellwhen i release the arrow i am finding it frequently clips the bow sending it wildley off to the left my mate tried the bow and found the same but on a trip back to the shop i shot fine with it and was told ther was nothing wrong with the bow so i am asuming my teqnique is crap but im a noob so i can live with that after much trying i am not sure if i just not being smooth with the release any info welcome regards..Snaffle

[Kae]

Just a request, please, please, please, use some grammar! I wasn't even reading it alowd and I ran out of breath before i'd read it all, lol.

Anyway;
There are a number of things that you can check;
1. Check the bracing height - this makes a huge difference to the bow, and should really be checked when you string the bow, and periodically throughout the shoot (no-one ever does, but you should )
2. You should be holding the bow as you would a suitcase. This is hard to explain, but if you can, get someone to show you how they do it (obviously someone who's an experienced longbow archer).
3. You must put the tension of pulling the bow across your shoulders. This helps promotes a clean release, but, again, is difficult to explain online.
4. Check your nock fit - ie the arrow nock onto the bow string. If this varies between the arrows, this can cause problems too.
5. Longbow archers need as much, if not more coaching than other disciplines. If you can, ask a coach to watch you shoot, or ask another experienced archer.

Essay over

[snafflepup]

i dont do grammer i had to write it as i remembered it as i forget easily

[provins]

Hi mate
Don't worry about grammer we'll work it out.
Your arrows are probably the wrong spine or your loose needs working on,or maybe its a bit of both.
It may be worth your while to do a beginners course at a local club using a recurve to learn the rudiments then go on to shoot your longbow, as a matter of interest who made your bow and what poundage is it.
You may be trying to pull too many pounds before you're really ready for it.
Best of luck for now.

[English Bowman]

I couldn't agree more, if you're not in a club join one, there's no substitute for someone watching you, and showing you how it's done.
If your technique is good then the arrows are too stiff. It's deceptive as the arrow shafts are sold for a recuve bow. A longbow will need a weaker arrow to fly straight. IE if you have a 50lb bow, and a 28" arrow (A nice average) then you would want maybe a 30-35lb spined arrow shaft. A shaft spined for 50-55 or even 45-50 will be way too stiff, hit the bow and fly to the left.

[NobleKnight]

2 English Bowmen
It sounds correct about the spine, but why Pip Bickerstaffe says that the best way to spine the arrows for his bows is to spine them very close to the draw of the bow ( like 50 arrows for 55 bow) ???

[laminatekid]

Originally Posted by NobleKnight

2 English Bowmen
It sounds correct about the spine, but why Pip Bickerstaffe says that the best way to spine the arrows for his bows is to spine them very close to the draw of the bow ( like 50 arrows for 55 bow) ???

Because bickerstaffe bows are made "handed" which means instead of the string running down the centre of the limbs it runs very close to the side giving you almost a centre shot, this lessens the need for a weaker spine as the arrow does not have to go around the limb first.

[NobleKnight]

OH 8) Strange that i've never heard about that...
And do You have any regulations of using "handed" bows in English longbow tournaments?

[English Bowman]

No, but there is no arrow shelf, just a barely visible bias to one side or another. An arrow shelf is forbidden in the longbow class

[provins]

Originally Posted by laminatekid

Because bickerstaffe bows are made "handed" which means instead of the string running down the centre of the limbs it runs very close to the side giving you almost a centre shot, this lessens the need for a weaker spine as the arrow does not have to go around the limb first.

Well I never new that,you learn something new every day if your lucky.
Thank heavens for AIUK