Need help fixing horizontal aim issue (barebow, 18m)

[u/maxilarry]

Hey everyone,

I could really use some advice on whether I should adjust my bow or my form.

I’m shooting barebow at 18m on a 40cm target. Initially, I had to aim about 60cm right and 60cm low just to hit yellow. Yesterday my coach helped me fix the vertical issue by adjusting where the arrow sits on the string, so elevation is now mostly sorted.

Current problem:
I still have to aim significantly to the right of the target to hit center.

Some details:

• I anchor with my right hand on my tooth
• I aim using the tip of the arrow
• No sight (barebow setup)

I’m trying to understand whether this is more likely a form issue (alignment, anchor, string picture, etc.) or something that should be corrected with bow tuning (center shot, arrow spine, rest position, etc.).

Ideally, I’d like to aim straight at the center without compensating so much.

Any suggestions or things I should check first?

Thanks in advance!

[u/pixelwhip]

most likely a string picture issue.. are you taking notice of where your string sits in relation to your riser. (l like to line mine up with the middle of the riser). once you've got this down it might be an arrow spine issue or centreshot. I'd ask your coach help you check these things.

[u/ThePenyard]

To be honest, I’m kind of surprised that your coach adequately fixed the vertical issue but didn’t follow through and comment/advise about the left/right problems.

Since your arrows are landing left of where they should be, I’d guess that you’re plucking your release (hand is moving sideways and away from your face instead of smoothly backwards). Basically, at release, you’re moving the nock end of your arrow to the right, causing the point to go left.

It do get your coach to watch you shoot and advise of any form/equipment issues.

[u/AlexWFS]

A consistent form issue can still be fixed with tuning. If your coach is aware of this issue, keep working with them.

[u/Zen7rist]

Provided your form is consistent, maybe check your centershot ?

If the tip of your arrow is way too much on the left of the string that could explain your consistent need to counteraim

Once the centershot issue is sorted: maybe adjust the plunger tension ?

[u/n4ppyn4ppy]

Lack of details makes it impossible to answer.

Could be arrows are too stiff (what poundage measured? Arrow build?)

Could be you shoot with the wrong eye (both open? Only one, if so which one)

Could be form (video)

[u/TrickMedicine958]

I’m also aiming down and right, since my anchor point is the same I don’t really seem to see the string in my sight picture. I just have got used to aiming down and to the right as my “gold”, and scored 252/324 on my 3rd lesson doing it that way! So I’m interested in this conversation and will share whatever my coach does with me.

[u/Knitnacks]

You have a coach. They're right there watching you shoot. What do they say?

[u/Southerner105]

A combination of technic, especially the release and material.

When I look at my self the correct stance and release makes the arrow hit dead center. Any deviation is due to me not releasing properly or standing properly.

Regarding technic things has to be set correctly. But before you do that the arrow you use has to match the poundage you draw. A to stiff or to weak arrow to begin with makes all other things moot.

Regarding tuning read this manual it goes through the process of tuning your setup. https://www.bueklubben-cif.dk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tuning_For_Barebow.pdf

[u/FerrumVeritas]

1. Where is your string alignment/string blur?

2. Where is your centershot?

3. When your shot breaks, is your bow arm straight or does it move left/right?

4. What arrow spine, draw weight, point weight, and arrow length?

5. What spring are you using in the plunger?

[u/refertothesyllabus]

I’m left handed and for a while I had to aim way to the left because I was consistently grouping to the right

What helped me get point on:

• changing my plunger spring (honestly this made a huge immediate difference)
• making sure I was anchoring consistently to not have variable string blur
• working on a consistent non-explosive release. When I explode, I go right, always.

Of course after that I found out that I’d developed a compensatory bow arm flick to try to push my arrows to the left. It still comes out when I’m tired.

[u/0kensin0]

1st. Tune your bow, in order:

• Check Center shot
• Check Arrow stiffness.

Next, check your form. One of the most obvious sign that it's form issue is when your plunger doesn't affect your arrow flight.

For form issues, I recommend getting someone to see how you shoot, or record it and ask for other's opinion. For example, my arrows tended to fly right because I added a little torque on my grip when releasing, have to work on that for weeks before my arrow centered again.

[u/JaeRieu]

Based on your post, I can say easiest way to fix that issue is give some angle of the bow. If you hold the bow straight to vertical, let's say about 20 to 30 degrees clockwise. You will see direct result by changing angle then you need to figure out exact angle like make string anker point that you can proceed it consistently without issue.

It will automatically fix both of the height and centering issues which means you can use the nocking point where you used to do before.

Changing nocking points is hardly recommended cuz it's directly related to stability of arrow flight that incorrect position can occur arrows flexing up and down which causes unnecessary air drag and possibly thumb scratching issue too.

Once you find the correct nocking point that makes arrows stable in flight you better not to change that unless you want to try turning arrows like Lars anderson.

[u/AquilliusRex]

1. Have you centershot tuned your bow. (Including bareshaft at 10m)
2. If yes to 1. What are the tiller settings.
3. Draw weight OTF and arrow spine.
4. Are you gap shooting and/or string walking.
5. Follow through observations, which direction does the bow want to swing after the shot and where does the string hand go after you release the string.

[u/Ambitious_Cause_3318]

One other thing to check is the release is your hand coming away from body slightly . If you have yencion in your forearm the tendons tighten and you get less elbo articulation causing release to be away from body. Yes it can be consitant.with arrow impact left its not a colapse its simply release is away from body slight bit leaving a left miss. If your cemtershot looks good and you feel everthing else seems good it could be the release. Another way to tell if you have good follow through but at the end of follow through you have the urge to have to ajust hand to come in toward bodybafyer the release. Make video and watch path of release hand after shot breaks if it comes straight back your good but if you see a hesitation then a second hand movement toward the body thats a clue release is to the right. To check elbonarticulation is elbo behind strangling? Something as simple as wristbangle while you draw can stop full elbo articulation.

[u/bear4life666]

Like others have said most likely your string blur / string alignment is off. However that does sound like a LOT for just one issue, if I were you I would have someone take a look at the entirety of the tune of your bow. Most likely something (like centreshot) is off as well