Paper tuning your bow is the art of adjusting or fine tuning your knocking point and rest position such that your arrow comes off the rest centered each time. Paper tuning works best for compound shooters using mechanical releases, however, I have also provided instructions for finger shooters here. If you have ever seen a video of an arrow at the second it is shot, you will have seen the arrow endure some very tough torque. Any mis-adjustment in your knocking point or rest will increase this torque and cause arrows to fly with a wobble. Paper tuning rids or greatly reduces arrows of their wobble. You can see a wobble in an arrow flight by closely watching your arrow go down range or stand behind someone who is shooting. If the bow is not tuned you will see the fletch end of the arrow wobble during flight.

To properly paper tune a bow place a piece of paper, secured in some frame, approximately six feet infront of the shooter. The shooter should draw the bow back so that the arrow is level or parallel to the ground. The shooter should concentrate on making as clean a release as possible. After the arrow is shot, examine the tear the arrow maked in the paper.

Below are some clickable images. Find the image that best resembles the tear made by the arrow and click it. You will be transported to a page with instructions on how to make adjustments in your knocking point or rest which ever the case may be.

The circle in the image indicates the point at which the arrow struck the paper.

The "V" part of the image indicates where the fletching cut through the paper


This image indicates that your arrow is striking the paper with the fletch end higher than the point. In other words, the arrow is being kicked up as it comes off the rest. This is not totally a bad thing. Many professional target archers prefer a little knock kick because they believe that at short distances, the arrow strikes their target more cleanly thus improving accuracy. The point here is short distance. At longer distances, this knock kick can cause inaccuracy. The following instructions are for right handed shooters. If you are a left handed shooter, simply reverse the instructions. For example, if the instructions suggest moving the knocking point up, left handed shooters should move it down (unless otherwise indicated).


The high fletch tear indicates a high knocking point for mechanical release shooters and a clearance problem for finger shooters.


CORRECTION

 

For finger as well as mechanical release shooters, move your knocking point down 1/16th of an inch and shoot through the paper. It is a good measure to shoot at least 3 arrows through paper before making any adjustments. If all three tears are different, you have a release problem and you should be concentrating on your form rather than the bow's performance. If after several adjustments your arrow is still tearing knock high, then you have other problems. For example, you could be shooting an underspined arrow for your draw weight. Check for the correct arrow for your set up on my arrow chart page. Torgue is generally vertical with mechanical releases rather than horizontal. Try reducing your draw weight, use a stiffer arrow or lower your point weight. If these remedies don't work, check your wheels for timing. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Lower Your knock point 1/16th inch
Reduce Draw Weight
Lower Your Point Weight
Use a stiffer shaft arrow
Check bow for timing


This image indicates that your arrow is striking the paper with the fletch end lower than the point. In other words, the arrow is being kicked down as it comes off the rest. The following instructions are for right handed shooters. If you are a left handed shooter, simply reverse the instructions. For example, if the instructions suggest moving the knocking point up, left handed shooters should move it down (unless otherwise indicated).


The low fletch tear indicates a low knocking point for mechanical release shooters and a clearance problem for finger shooters.


CORRECTION

 

For finger as well as mechanical release shooters, move your knocking point up 1/16th of an inch and shoot through the paper. It is a good measure to shoot at least 3 arrows through paper before making any adjustments. If all three tears are different, you have a release problem and you should be concentrating on your form rather than the bow's performance. If after several adjustments your arrow is still tearing knock low, then you have other problems. For example, you could be shooting an overspined arrow for your draw weight. Check for the correct arrow for your set up on my arrow chart page. Torgue is generally vertical with mechanical releases rather than horizontal. Try increasing your draw weight, use a more flexible arrow or increase your point weight. If these remedies don't work, check your wheels for timing. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Raise Your knock point 1/16th inch
Increase Draw Weight
raise Your Point Weight
Use a more flexible shaft arrow
Check bow for timing


This image indicates a stiff arrow reaction for right handed finger release shooters. For left handed finger release shooters it indicates a flex arrow reaction. For you left handers, do just the opposite adjustments listed below.

For mechanical release shooters this tear indicates that the rest is too close to the riser and the arrow may be getting a kick from it. Try moving the rest out away from the riser but ever so slightly. Too much and you'll be tearing the paper just the opposite. You may also be torguing the bow with your grip hand. Be conscious of this.


The right fletch tear indicates that the finger release shooter is using too stiff a shaft and for the release shooter, arrow may be getting a kick from the riser.


CORRECTION

 

For finger release shooters, you can try several remedies, but only one at a time. Try increasing your bow's draw weight, increase your point weight, use a more flexible arrow; check out my arrow chart page. For compound finger shooters, make small adjustments to your rest by moving it in toward the riser. For release shooters, concentrate on not torguing your bow. If you are not torguing the bow, then make small adjustments to the rest by moving it out away from the riser. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Finger Shooters
Increase draw weight
Increase your point weight
Use a more flexible shaft
Move rest in toward the riser
(compound finger shooters only)
Release Shooters
Don't torgue your bow
Move your rest away from the riser


This image indicates a flexible arrow reaction for right handed finger release shooters. For left handed finger release shooters it indicates a stiff arrow reaction. For you left handers, do just the opposite adjustments listed below.

For mechanical release shooters this tear indicates a underspined arrow or clearance problem. Or, you could be torguing your bow with the grip hand. Be conscious of this.



 

CORRECTION

 

For finger release shooters, you can try several remedies, but only one at a time. Try reducing your bow's draw weight, reduce your point weight, use a more stiffer arrow; check out my arrow chart page. For compound finger shooters, make small adjustments to your rest by moving it out away from the riser. For release shooters, concentrate on not torguing your bow. If you are not torguing the bow, then make small adjustments to the rest by moving it in toward the riser. You can also reduce your draw weight, use a lighter weighted point or use a stiffer arrow. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Finger Shooters
Reduce draw weight
Reduce your point weight
Use a more stiffer shaft
Move rest away from the riser
(compound finger shooters only)
Release Shooters
Don't torgue your bow
Move your rest in toward the riser
Reduce draw weight
Use lighter arrow points
Use a stiffer arrow
This page is for those of you that your tears are going off at angles. Essentially, you have two problems and must fix each of them one at a time.

 

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both down and to the right. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For down adjustments goto high center adjustment and then goto left center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both up and to the right. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For up adjustments goto low center adjustment and goto the left center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both up and to the left. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For up adjustments goto low center adjustment and then goto right center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both down and to the left. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For down adjustments goto high center adjustment and then goto right center adjustment. Good luck.
This page is for those of you that your tears are going off at angles. Essentially, you have two problems and must fix each of them one at a time.

 

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both down and to the right. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For down adjustments goto high center adjustment and then goto left center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both up and to the right. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For up adjustments goto low center adjustment and goto the left center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both up and to the left. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For up adjustments goto low center adjustment and then goto right center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both down and to the left. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For down adjustments goto high center adjustment and then goto right center adjustment. Good luck.
This page is for those of you that your tears are going off at angles. Essentially, you have two problems and must fix each of them one at a time.

 

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both down and to the right. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For down adjustments goto high center adjustment and then goto left center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both up and to the right. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For up adjustments goto low center adjustment and goto the left center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both up and to the left. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For up adjustments goto low center adjustment and then goto right center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both down and to the left. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For down adjustments goto high center adjustment and then goto right center adjustment. Good luck.
This page is for those of you that your tears are going off at angles. Essentially, you have two problems and must fix each of them one at a time.

 

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both down and to the right. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For down adjustments goto high center adjustment and then goto left center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both up and to the right. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For up adjustments goto low center adjustment and goto the left center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both up and to the left. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For up adjustments goto low center adjustment and then goto right center adjustments. Good luck.

This image indicates that you need to make adjustments both down and to the left. Remember, make one adjust at a time. For down adjustments goto high center adjustment and then goto right center adjustment. Good luck.


This image indicates that your arrow is striking the paper with the fletch end lower than the point. In other words, the arrow is being kicked down as it comes off the rest. The following instructions are for right handed shooters. If you are a left handed shooter, simply reverse the instructions. For example, if the instructions suggest moving the knocking point up, left handed shooters should move it down (unless otherwise indicated).


The low fletch tear indicates a low knocking point for mechanical release shooters and a clearance problem for finger shooters.


CORRECTION

 

For finger as well as mechanical release shooters, move your knocking point up 1/16th of an inch and shoot through the paper. It is a good measure to shoot at least 3 arrows through paper before making any adjustments. If all three tears are different, you have a release problem and you should be concentrating on your form rather than the bow's performance. If after several adjustments your arrow is still tearing knock low, then you have other problems. For example, you could be shooting an overspined arrow for your draw weight. Check for the correct arrow for your set up on my arrow chart page. Torgue is generally vertical with mechanical releases rather than horizontal. Try increasing your draw weight, use a more flexible arrow or increase your point weight. If these remedies don't work, check your wheels for timing. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Raise Your knock point 1/16th inch
Increase Draw Weight
raise Your Point Weight
Use a more flexible shaft arrow
Check bow for timing


This image indicates a flexible arrow reaction for right handed finger release shooters. For left handed finger release shooters it indicates a stiff arrow reaction. For you left handers, do just the opposite adjustments listed below.

For mechanical release shooters this tear indicates a underspined arrow or clearance problem. Or, you could be torguing your bow with the grip hand. Be conscious of this.



 

CORRECTION

 

For finger release shooters, you can try several remedies, but only one at a time. Try reducing your bow's draw weight, reduce your point weight, use a more stiffer arrow; check out my arrow chart page. For compound finger shooters, make small adjustments to your rest by moving it out away from the riser. For release shooters, concentrate on not torguing your bow. If you are not torguing the bow, then make small adjustments to the rest by moving it in toward the riser. You can also reduce your draw weight, use a lighter weighted point or use a stiffer arrow. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Finger Shooters
Reduce draw weight
Reduce your point weight
Use a more stiffer shaft
Move rest away from the riser
(compound finger shooters only)
Release Shooters
Don't torgue your bow
Move your rest in toward the riser
Reduce draw weight
Use lighter arrow points
Use a stiffer arrow


This image indicates that your arrow is striking the paper with the fletch end higher than the point. In other words, the arrow is being kicked up as it comes off the rest. This is not totally a bad thing. Many professional target archers prefer a little knock kick because they believe that at short distances, the arrow strikes their target more cleanly thus improving accuracy. The point here is short distance. At longer distances, this knock kick can cause inaccuracy. The following instructions are for right handed shooters. If you are a left handed shooter, simply reverse the instructions. For example, if the instructions suggest moving the knocking point up, left handed shooters should move it down (unless otherwise indicated).


The high fletch tear indicates a high knocking point for mechanical release shooters and a clearance problem for finger shooters.


CORRECTION

 

For finger as well as mechanical release shooters, move your knocking point down 1/16th of an inch and shoot through the paper. It is a good measure to shoot at least 3 arrows through paper before making any adjustments. If all three tears are different, you have a release problem and you should be concentrating on your form rather than the bow's performance. If after several adjustments your arrow is still tearing knock high, then you have other problems. For example, you could be shooting an underspined arrow for your draw weight. Check for the correct arrow for your set up on my arrow chart page. Torgue is generally vertical with mechanical releases rather than horizontal. Try reducing your draw weight, use a stiffer arrow or lower your point weight. If these remedies don't work, check your wheels for timing. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Lower Your knock point 1/16th inch
Reduce Draw Weight
Lower Your Point Weight
Use a stiffer shaft arrow
Check bow for timing


This image indicates a flexible arrow reaction for right handed finger release shooters. For left handed finger release shooters it indicates a stiff arrow reaction. For you left handers, do just the opposite adjustments listed below.

For mechanical release shooters this tear indicates a underspined arrow or clearance problem. Or, you could be torguing your bow with the grip hand. Be conscious of this.



 

CORRECTION

 

For finger release shooters, you can try several remedies, but only one at a time. Try reducing your bow's draw weight, reduce your point weight, use a more stiffer arrow; check out my arrow chart page. For compound finger shooters, make small adjustments to your rest by moving it out away from the riser. For release shooters, concentrate on not torguing your bow. If you are not torguing the bow, then make small adjustments to the rest by moving it in toward the riser. You can also reduce your draw weight, use a lighter weighted point or use a stiffer arrow. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Finger Shooters
Reduce draw weight
Reduce your point weight
Use a more stiffer shaft
Move rest away from the riser
(compound finger shooters only)
Release Shooters
Don't torgue your bow
Move your rest in toward the riser
Reduce draw weight
Use lighter arrow points
Use a stiffer arrow


This image indicates a flexible arrow reaction for right handed finger release shooters. For left handed finger release shooters it indicates a stiff arrow reaction. For you left handers, do just the opposite adjustments listed below.

For mechanical release shooters this tear indicates a underspined arrow or clearance problem. Or, you could be torguing your bow with the grip hand. Be conscious of this.



 

CORRECTION

 

For finger release shooters, you can try several remedies, but only one at a time. Try reducing your bow's draw weight, reduce your point weight, use a more stiffer arrow; check out my arrow chart page. For compound finger shooters, make small adjustments to your rest by moving it out away from the riser. For release shooters, concentrate on not torguing your bow. If you are not torguing the bow, then make small adjustments to the rest by moving it in toward the riser. You can also reduce your draw weight, use a lighter weighted point or use a stiffer arrow. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Finger Shooters
Reduce draw weight
Reduce your point weight
Use a more stiffer shaft
Move rest away from the riser
(compound finger shooters only)
Release Shooters
Don't torgue your bow
Move your rest in toward the riser
Reduce draw weight
Use lighter arrow points
Use a stiffer arrow


This image indicates that your arrow is striking the paper with the fletch end higher than the point. In other words, the arrow is being kicked up as it comes off the rest. This is not totally a bad thing. Many professional target archers prefer a little knock kick because they believe that at short distances, the arrow strikes their target more cleanly thus improving accuracy. The point here is short distance. At longer distances, this knock kick can cause inaccuracy. The following instructions are for right handed shooters. If you are a left handed shooter, simply reverse the instructions. For example, if the instructions suggest moving the knocking point up, left handed shooters should move it down (unless otherwise indicated).


The high fletch tear indicates a high knocking point for mechanical release shooters and a clearance problem for finger shooters.


CORRECTION

 

For finger as well as mechanical release shooters, move your knocking point down 1/16th of an inch and shoot through the paper. It is a good measure to shoot at least 3 arrows through paper before making any adjustments. If all three tears are different, you have a release problem and you should be concentrating on your form rather than the bow's performance. If after several adjustments your arrow is still tearing knock high, then you have other problems. For example, you could be shooting an underspined arrow for your draw weight. Check for the correct arrow for your set up on my arrow chart page. Torgue is generally vertical with mechanical releases rather than horizontal. Try reducing your draw weight, use a stiffer arrow or lower your point weight. If these remedies don't work, check your wheels for timing. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Lower Your knock point 1/16th inch
Reduce Draw Weight
Lower Your Point Weight
Use a stiffer shaft arrow
Check bow for timing


This image indicates a stiff arrow reaction for right handed finger release shooters. For left handed finger release shooters it indicates a flex arrow reaction. For you left handers, do just the opposite adjustments listed below.

For mechanical release shooters this tear indicates that the rest is too close to the riser and the arrow may be getting a kick from it. Try moving the rest out away from the riser but ever so slightly. Too much and you'll be tearing the paper just the opposite. You may also be torguing the bow with your grip hand. Be conscious of this.


The right fletch tear indicates that the finger release shooter is using too stiff a shaft and for the release shooter, arrow may be getting a kick from the riser.


CORRECTION

 

For finger release shooters, you can try several remedies, but only one at a time. Try increasing your bow's draw weight, increase your point weight, use a more flexible arrow; check out my arrow chart page. For compound finger shooters, make small adjustments to your rest by moving it in toward the riser. For release shooters, concentrate on not torguing your bow. If you are not torguing the bow, then make small adjustments to the rest by moving it out away from the riser. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Finger Shooters
Increase draw weight
Increase your point weight
Use a more flexible shaft
Move rest in toward the riser
(compound finger shooters only)
Release Shooters
Don't torgue your bow
Move your rest away from the riser


This image indicates that your arrow is striking the paper with the fletch end lower than the point. In other words, the arrow is being kicked down as it comes off the rest. The following instructions are for right handed shooters. If you are a left handed shooter, simply reverse the instructions. For example, if the instructions suggest moving the knocking point up, left handed shooters should move it down (unless otherwise indicated).


The low fletch tear indicates a low knocking point for mechanical release shooters and a clearance problem for finger shooters.


CORRECTION

 

For finger as well as mechanical release shooters, move your knocking point up 1/16th of an inch and shoot through the paper. It is a good measure to shoot at least 3 arrows through paper before making any adjustments. If all three tears are different, you have a release problem and you should be concentrating on your form rather than the bow's performance. If after several adjustments your arrow is still tearing knock low, then you have other problems. For example, you could be shooting an overspined arrow for your draw weight. Check for the correct arrow for your set up on my arrow chart page. Torgue is generally vertical with mechanical releases rather than horizontal. Try increasing your draw weight, use a more flexible arrow or increase your point weight. If these remedies don't work, check your wheels for timing. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Raise Your knock point 1/16th inch
Increase Draw Weight
raise Your Point Weight
Use a more flexible shaft arrow
Check bow for timing


This image indicates a stiff arrow reaction for right handed finger release shooters. For left handed finger release shooters it indicates a flex arrow reaction. For you left handers, do just the opposite adjustments listed below.

For mechanical release shooters this tear indicates that the rest is too close to the riser and the arrow may be getting a kick from it. Try moving the rest out away from the riser but ever so slightly. Too much and you'll be tearing the paper just the opposite. You may also be torguing the bow with your grip hand. Be conscious of this.


The right fletch tear indicates that the finger release shooter is using too stiff a shaft and for the release shooter, arrow may be getting a kick from the riser.


CORRECTION

 

For finger release shooters, you can try several remedies, but only one at a time. Try increasing your bow's draw weight, increase your point weight, use a more flexible arrow; check out my arrow chart page. For compound finger shooters, make small adjustments to your rest by moving it in toward the riser. For release shooters, concentrate on not torguing your bow. If you are not torguing the bow, then make small adjustments to the rest by moving it out away from the riser. If all else fails, be humbled and take your problem to a professional archery shop.


SYNOPSIS
Finger Shooters
Increase draw weight
Increase your point weight
Use a more flexible shaft
Move rest in toward the riser
(compound finger shooters only)
Release Shooters
Don't torgue your bow
Move your rest away from the riser