One of my kids just started shooting and is shooting pretty well but has been complaining that the fletching on his arrows are hitting his hand. After watching him shoot i am also seeing that his arrows are porposing.
My question is, is this related to knock point or poor form. is there some science involved in correcting this or just trial and error.
I dont want to change the bow if its related to form because he is so new to shooting but i also dont want him to change how he shoots if it can be fixed in the bow tune.
I wonder what the brace height is on his bow? On some kids bows, the brace height is pretty low, and the feathers almost reach the bow shelf when the arrow is nocked on the bow. If that is the case, you might consider a higher brace height, if possible within bow specs, or shorter feathers.
Where is the nock point? For someone who is learning to shoot the bow, it is probably best to set the nock point at some standard position, like 1/2 - 5/8" for split, or 3/4" for 3 under. Don't be afraid to raise the nock point up higher than normal if that solves the problem, as a high nock point will be easily corrected by the fletching.
Some bow grips are built such that the bow hand is very close to the arrow. I have bows like that where the feather brushes my forefinger with every shot. Some bows are built with no arrow rest, and of course the feather will brush the bow hand if the bow hand is being used as an arrow rest.
If he is shooting split fingers, and is pressing down on the arrow at full draw with his forefinger, the arrow will porpouse. An indication of this is if his string elbow is much higher than the arrow nock.
Sometimes it is hard to get an arrow that has a weak enough spine for a low poundage kids bow. Arrow spine problems usually result in fishtailing, but a large enough mismatch could result in porpousing.
i will watch for the elbow condition that you mention. the bow is 20# shooting kids arrows with 3" parabolics they are cut pretty low but the grip could be the reason the feathers are hitting his hand but my thought is that it is not the cause of the poor arrow flight. i have not spined the arrows i got them from lost nation labled youth arrows. i guess i should check the spine. if anything the brace height is too much at nearly 10" with the manufacturers string.
Good luck ,My grandsons 20# bows, yes 2 of them are very hard to tune, we get good flight only for a while.
10" seems way too high to me. You might want to get a new string.
Did you check nock as mentioned above? Also have you had arrows made recently I know it sounds crazy but I had a set made recently and did not notice until I got stung a few times. The arrows I received were left wing and found I get a little sting from the arrow as it leaves vs my right wing feathers. I have adjusted a little but my arrow will sometimes kick up as a result of the contact. Just a thought.
the bow is a fiberglass 20# bear wizard. it is braced at 8 1/2" currently knocked 1/2" above the rest. the arrows spine right at 20#. they are fletched straight.(yuck) have not had a chance to see him shoot this week early doe season just ended tonight. maybe i will see him shoot tomorrow.