String slapping my face

[Arctic Hunter]

I've researched this, but can't seem to fix it. I got out of trad bows after a couple shoulder surgeries. I ordered a 64" PMA thinking the extra length would be easier on them as I was finally able to shoot again. Bow is great, just like the other six widows I've had.

But I can not quit hitting my face and nose with the string when I shoot normally. I sacrificed one of my tabs by trimming it down a little at a time. Tried not leaning into the string, bringing the hand to the face (which I've always done anyway), adjusting my anchor higher, 3 under and split, etc...

I shot 60" and 62" bows with the same style of shooting for years and never dealt with this. Anybody else have that happen going to a longer bow? What am I missing? I hate to shorten my anchor since it makes me feel like I'm totally out of alignment and makes it harder to keep good back tension.

It irritates me so much when it happens I'm literally about to sell the bow. Just don't want to wait a year.

[black velvet]

You can try turning your head more towards the target.

[Jim Wright]

X2 on trying when you come to full draw turning your face more directly at the target and away from the string. And when you think you can't trim any more off your tab, trim a little more.

[Andre South]

I had the same problem and it is extremely frustrating.

My issue was that, in an effort get more settled into my anchor position, I was unintentionally turning my face into the string path.

The solution for me was to bring the string to my face instead of my face to the string, keeping my head in a natural position.

My head turned (fully) toward the target, drawing with proper back tension, and bringing my draw hand to my anchor point (without settling my head down).

That's what solved it for me.

[Orion]

Yep. It's not the bow.  It's your head placement.  Turn it more toward the string as others have suggested.  Opening your stance a little, i.e., turning a little more toward the target, will facilitate that. 

[Andre South]

nothing quite pisses you off like getting your nose thwacked by your string... that, and stepping on a LEGO barefoot

[McDave]

All good suggestions.  In addition, try working on your release.  In a good release, the fingers should relax and the string should push them out of the way.  In a video, it can look like the string is slicing through the fingers.

In a bad release, the shooter tries to open the fingers, so the string rolls off the fingers rather than pushing them out of the way.  Sometimes if the string rolls off your fingers, it can roll into your face.

[Mike Walker]

What is your draw length with that 64" bow?

Your problem makes sense to me as the longer bow has less string angle and this puts more string at your face.......especially if you have a shorter draw length.

Certainly don't shorten your draw and get out of alignment, but opening up your stance may help.

[Arctic Hunter]

Thanks for the suggestions. Just baffles me that I can pick up a shorter bow and don't have the issue. But I'll get back out to the range soon and try some of this stuff.

McDave, no doubt cleaning up my release might help. I dropped down in weight some as well, which has taken some getting used to.

Mike, I'm drawing a little over 30". 

I think I'm either going to have to get comfortable with different form, or go back to what I was used to.

[Mike Walker]

Wow, that's a long draw length......don't seem like the 64" bow should be causing issues.BUT, since it is, maybe the shorter bows just work better for your shooting style.

Good Luck!

[Jeff tech]

Has your dominant eye changed?

[Arctic Hunter]

Has your dominant eye changed?

I hadn't thought of that. It hasn't changed but my up close vision is definitely worse. Not sure if that would have an effect or not. I went up and shot some today and really concentrated on keeping my head straight. It helped my nose, but my face still took a beating. It's definitely less accurate right now for me. I'll keep working on it.

Thanks for the help everybody.