Whenever I am shooting and I have a flier, it's always to the left.  Up and down is usually good, just several inches to the left.  This doesn't happen often, but when it does I must be screwing up some part of the shot sequence.  The arrows are tuned and flying like darts.  Can you guys tell me what I could be doing for my misses to always be to the left.  Am I dropping my bow arm too soon?  Trying to look at the arrow?  Thanks for any help you can give. Also, I'm a right handed shooter.

If you are anchoring to the corner of you mouth or some other specific area of your face, make sure it is where it needs to be and not away from your anchor spot.  Even a quarter of an inch can be inches downrange.

Could be many things, but it seems like it could be that you are pulling away (to the right) from your anchor before release.  Even the slightest bit would really mess up a shot.  Same result if you had the string catch on your glove/tab causing a rough release.

Could also be an inconsistent grip on your bow.  Too much torque on the handle could send an errant arrow.

An old archer once told me (and still does from time to time) that there are two main principles to be followed during the shot.

1.  A firm archor at the same spot, and

2.  Rock steady bow arm until the arrow hits.

Of course there are other supporting actors, but these are the two main stars.

Mark your arrows with a number so you can differentiate between them. If one always gives you problems, throw it in the wood chipper. I would say though, it sounds like you are "plucking" or pulling your hand away from your face at the shot. I believe this is caused mostly by "throwing" you fingers open to release instead of letting the hand glide straight back and the string slipping out.

Move or post this over in Form section for possibly more posts.
A deeper hook helps my lefty hits because I think I get closer under dominate eye or just cleaner release..better back tension.
Frustrating for sure.
Mike

QuoteOriginally posted by Blackhawk:
An old archer once told me (and still does from time to time) that there are two main principles to be followed during the shot.

1.  A firm archor at the same spot, and

2.  Rock steady bow arm until the arrow hits.

Of course there are other supporting actors, but these are the two main stars.

What he said!  My left shots are when my hand is not tight to the face and getting the arrow under the eye.

Mike Fedora says 'when righties miss it is to the left' and it is from fatigue or a lack of concentration; which is what  Blackhawk talked about above:

Originally posted by Blackhawk:
An old archer once told me (and still does from time to time) that there are two main principles to be followed during the shot.

1. A firm archor at the same spot, and

2. Rock steady bow arm until the arrow hits.

Of course there are other supporting actors, but these are the two main stars.

Left for me is either bow arm moved or incorrect hand placement on grip.

Sam, Above is all good advice, your question might get more responses on the SHOOTERS FORUM. I will be following this thread cuz I have a ton of fliers, my bow is very light on mass weight and is a hybrid which means form needs to be very good. IMHO

QuoteOriginally posted by creekwood:
If you are anchoring to the corner of you mouth or some other specific area of your face, make sure it is where it needs to be and not away from your anchor spot.  Even a quarter of an inch can be inches downrange.

Yep^.

It could also be bow hand torque and/or short drawing, causing your arrow to act stiff.

You are probable short drawing which is causing  stiff spine.

QuoteOriginally posted by katman:
Left for me is either bow arm moved or incorrect hand placement on grip.

Typically for me, if my bow hand moves right at the shot, the arrow hits left on the target. If I pull the hand left at the shot, the arrow lands to the right. The best cure I've found for this was from Rick Welch's DVD. If my bow arm isn't locked and has a slight bend in the elbow, the bow moves forward towards the target instead of left or right since the arm's forward travel isn't already maxed out.

The other influencing factors for me are the grip as mentioned above as well as not relaxing the back of the string hand. If I pluck, I have a higher tendency to push the riser left of right with my bow hand because my whole upper body is tense and I think my brain subconciously knows it and tries to correct it at the moment of the shot.

Heavier risers seem to mitigate this some for me and I see this more while shooting my longbows as opposed to when shooting my recurves.


Hope this helps,

Stump

I would say dropping the bow arm or plucking the string. try to keep you head release hand and bow arm still as possible until arrow hits the target. I will also add that your one flier probably comes after you have shot for a bit, and lose concentration and you start to hurry to much.

Most archers have a problem with a flyer at some point in time. As someone above suggested, mark your arrows to determine if it's an equipment problem. If it is, it's repair or replace.
If it isn't an equipment problem, it's shooting form and almost every archer has had to deal with this at some point. Try this, it may help:
First, cut down on the number of arrows your shooting in each set. If working on form, I suggest shooting only two. One fletched and the other bare shaft. The bare shaft will pick up even the smallest form problem.
Next, in my experience three common shooting form problems can result in a flyer:
1. Plucking the string on release. This is caused by jerking the hand away from your face when releasing the bow string. I find that my fingers just slide along my face when my release is correct.
2. Canting the bow. The further you cant the top limb of the bow to the right, the further the arrow tends to hit to the right. Make sure you're canting the bow at a consistent angle with each shot. A flyer to the left can be the result of tilting the top bow limb further to the left on that shot.
3. Jerking the bow arm to the left on release. If you move the bow arm during the release, the arrow will move in the same direction.
String plucking and bow arm movement can result from fatigue. Remember, it doesn't matter how many arrows you shoot with each practice. The key is to shoot each arrow well. If you begin shooting poorly, take a break.

Lots of good advice here, however I have to disagree on bow cant. If your point of impact is moving right when you cant the top limb more or left when you hold more vertical then something is wrong with your tune - most likely spine.

When I shoot to the left it is usually my anchor hand has either not got to the correct anchor spot and I release too soon or my hand is going forward as I release. When I pluck the arrows always go to the right. I shoot right also.      :confused: