I have a friend who I shoot with that shoots recurves he owns and shoots about 4 or 5 different bows I mostly shoot a long-bow and he'd like to get one to shoot/hunt with. He has shot mine some and a lot of different bows at different stick-bow events these range from brand new bows to people we run into on the ranges that have their own set-ups. The issue is he consistently shoots to the left it doesn't seem to matter if it's a new bow off the table or one that some-one has dialed in I'm thinking that it's more of a form issue than a set-up issue since it's across the board with all the different set-ups any ideas? THANKS.

Sounds like he's plucking the string.

If he's right handed, he could be left eye dominant.

i have no idea what the cause maybe i have the same problem when i go from my bob lee recurve to my bear montana long bow. so it may have to do with the cut of the shelf

That, or not anchoring tight to his face. If his anchor is off to the right(for a right hand shooter), it's like moving the rear sight on a rifle to the right. I know this is the cause of most of my left misses.

I,m going to say cut of the shelf as most recurves are cut closer to center than longbows

I'm going with the cut of the shelf also

I would strongly suspect he is getting some unwanted help from the left eye as was stated above. He can prove or disprove this by fuzzing up, winking, half-closing, or closing the left eye to see if the group moves.

I am RH but left-eye dominant. I shoot left-handed. Occasionally the pesky right eye tries to help me and pulls my arrow a few inches right.

Watch him shoot(stand behind him about 4ft) and see if he lifts his head or cants it away from the string before he releases.

Is this "shooting to the left" only with the longbow, or also with his recurves?

Shelf not cut as deep. Have him try a hybrid longbow and he will hit the same as his recurve. Also arrow spine is important with longbows not cut as deep.

Sounds like he is not getting full back tension on the draw and is either creeping or short drawing. If he is shooting bows that other people can shoot fine the problem is in his form.

Does he cant the bow or hold it straight up? If he does in fact he holds it straight up, long bow shelves aren't cut as deep. I'll bet when he draws the arrow is pulling slightly away from the riser. If this is true a slight cant will keep the arrow against the riser. Make sure he isn't "rolling" the string when he draws back. Make sure the string is in his first digits of his fingers. Upon the release he has to have his fingers explode open.

It's only with the longbow, like the rest of us (or me at least) he has good and bad shooting days but the longbow has been a consistent problem. The hybrid may be an option, I can't honestly remember if he's tried one. To watch him shoot he has a mild cant at full draw, anchors well and doesn't creep it may also be a matter of finding a comfortable bow and re-learning to shoot. THANKS guys.

Posting this under "The Shooters Forum' may get you on track.

Perhaps he doesn't draw as long as he thinks he does and is overspined?

This happens to me when I don't keep my bow arm in place at the shot. A follow through problem and form related as mentioned but could indicate he is slightly over bowed. I'm a lefty so mine go right when this happens. Is this more prominent after he has shot for a while and has begun to tire?

I'm with Duncan. When I shoot left I invariably have released my bow arm prematurely.must hold the bow arm until the arrow hits the target.

Are you using the same spine arrow that shoots so well in the recurve?? Not so in a longbow..Going with that or shorter draw due to lower grip shortened draw.
Mike

OK I'll play. My guess is that its his grip. Grab that longbow like you are "choking a snake".