Helping get rid of left and rights with your groups

[MnArch]

Sometimes when archers practice, left and rights on the target can be a frustrating problem.  There are some simple things you can do to greatly reduce your groups and achieve the next level of accuracy. 

When most people pick up a bow for the first time, they want to hold the grip like they would a pistol or like they would hold the handle of a suitcase.  By doing this you have a lot of contact on the grip of the bow, thus increasing the amount of hand torque.  Instead of the "pistol grip" try imagining your pushing a car out of the ditch. When you do this the base of your thumb will contact the lower part of the grip and the space between your thumb and index finger will contact the top part of the grip.  When done right your knuckles will be at at 45 degree angle.  This lines the bones in your hand up with your wrist allowing the bow to "float" the way it naturally wants in your hand.

Now that we have the right grip we can focus on the easiest fix.  That's your bow hand fingers.  I reccommend purchasing or making a wrist sling.  Keep the sling a little loose on your wrist.....(If it's too tight it will cause torque)   So.....with a sling on your bow what should you do with your fingers?  It's a common misconception to think that you should hold your fingers straight out allowing the bow's sling to catch it after the shot.  By holding your fingers straight out you create muscle tention in your forearm causing fatigue and the shakes.  Keep your fingers limp as a noodle.  Focus on allowing the sling to catch your bow and not grabbing it after the shot.  Let that bow "pop" the way it wants to.  Don't worry about where you hit until you have this down.

When you have the right grip, a sling, and a loose relaxed hand, you will see your groups get smaller.  It's all about taking the human manipulation out of the shot.  Practice this and trust in your sling.   

[Grute Man]

I can always tell when Im getting tired from shooting because I start to put that death grip on the bow and the arrows start going hay wire.  That's when Im done for a while.  I don't have a sling so I think I'll go get one today.  Thanks for the tips MnArch.

[awb500magman]

And if you have a level on your sight use it when you are practicing...............Never forget that one Barry   

[MnArch]

Right on, Adam! Many of the new sights offered for bows have a level built in. Some have a third axis adjustment to keep the bow plumb no matter the upward or downward angle of the shot. The further the shot, the more apparent a canting or tilting of the bow becomes. Works especially well when shooting on uneven ground!

[Outdoors Junkie]

Great tips!

[22lex]

Great tips for everybody. It's nice to read the info. about the groupings. From time to time this happens and I do have to "downgrade" my killer grip on the bow and take my time and think things through.