I switched to trad a couple of years ago.  I have been using a Neet glove, but I'm not happy with my release.  So I made up a little tab out of some leather just to try it out before buying one.  My groups immediately tightened up, but they shifted up and to the left.  I'm right handed and shooting three under.  Anyone have any ideas why the groups shifted like that?  Could it be my little homemade tab?  Should I try it again with a store bought one?  I'm having a hard time explaining what is going on and any help is appreciated.  Thanks.

TTT

It is probably just a consistancy issue. I'd be willing to guess that something has changed in your form to a small degree whether it is in your release, string hook, anchor etc.

If you are right handed and hitting upper left that could be a sign you're "pushing" the bow on release.  You scrunch up on full draw and when it releases you "expand" your chest; moving the bow arm up and left.  Pull with the back muscles and make a concious effort to expand your lungs as you reach full draw.  Try not to move your bow arm and retain a motionless follow-through.  Plucking with a deep finger-grip can put you off either left or right.  Try a stiffer tab (add a layer of leather).

Thanks for the suggestions!

I recently had a similar problem.  Sounds to me like your tab is too long and/or you're not taking a deep enough "hook" on the string.  The string should ride in the first joint of the fingers and the tab should fall a bit short of the fingertips when pulling the string.  It also might help you to try an "active release" if you aren't doing so already.  Do a search, there are a few threads about this on the first few pages of this forum. - John

The archery shot is a "swing" just like baseball and golf. The drawing arm and the bow arm must be active before back motion "triggers" the release or dropping of the bow string. To do otherwise will keep this forum alive and over-flowing for many additional generations.

I sent you an e-mail.

I too recently switched from a glove (which was more comfortable to me) to a tab because of age-related hand soreness. I love the Cavalier Elite by 3-Rivers. Because it is a tab used by FITA archers it comes with too much hardware but you don't have to use it all. I especially like the way the metal frame of the tab, behind the soft leather, helps you set the draw hand consistently from shot to shot.

The tab must fit a deep hook and you'll likely have to trim the index finger (top) to get the feel you had at anchor with the glove. I think your different group is caused by having a slightly different anchor than when using the glove. I would not expect you've changed anything else in your shot sequence other than anchor which of course could also change your conscious or subconscious sight picture.

I'd highly recommend you get the tab fitting comfortably before you pay any attention at all to the arrow's result in the target.

A tab, especially a good one like the Cav Elite, will give you a cleaner release, so your arrow may be showing "weak". I used Neet gloves for a while, but they wore out and suddenly I'd start spraying arrows.

Most times a tab or glove changing windage impact changes is the result, of a different material thickness,or the way the change allows your to reach anchor, is actually changing the rear of the arrows position relative to the point....in other words, due to the change the arrow is now pointed either right or left.

Thanks for all the input everyone!  I switched back to my glove until I get ahold of one of those cordovan three under tabs from 3rivers.