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Advice needed for teaching basic shooting form - keeping the arrow on the bow

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DesertDisciple:
So my wife has had a board bow I made her for a while and has wanted to learn how to shoot. She struggles with a number of things that make it frustrating for her and I was hoping I could glean some tidbits to help her.

Her biggest hurdle is keeping the arrow on the bow. some things Ive noted:
-she tries to "hold" the arrow on the string by torquing her fingers (I call it Deathclaw)
-she starts with the bow canted very slightly then it jerks in the other direction about 6in from full draw (bow arm wrist rotation)
-I have a feeling shes looking ather hand or at the arrow. Could this be the source?

As you can imagine, its very frustrating for her. Perhaps shes overbowed? She can draw it easily enough without the arrow on. Maybe practicing a smooth draw sans arrow will help? She does have a glove and the string is served, with the arrow nock carved to click on and hold.

What do you all think?

PEARL DRUMS:
Make sure she is using a deep finger hook on the string.  Have her draw the bow without an arrow and see if she reacts the same way. That arrow out front changes everything. Our minds are capable one conscience thought at a time, and that's ever fleeting and changing. If she is looking at her spot, then looks at her arrow or bow, then back at the spot....its already heading in the wrong direction. If the weight is good, Id have her draw the bow over and over until she gets that motion right and solid. Then worry about arrows coming off it.

Pat B:
That "deathclaw" gets all beginners. Trying to grip the arrow nock and string as the bow is drawn will throw the arrow off the bow every time. Using a hook without gripping is the secret but it has to be learned.

TimBo:
Also, if she is sticking her elbow out (the arrow arm, not the bow arm), that might twist the arrow away from the riser.  I tell people to think about rotating their arrow hand clockwise (for RH shooters) into the riser.  Of course, you don't want to overdo that, but a little goes a long way in keeping the arrow on the bow.  That motion should help provide a better release - it goes along with the rotational draw philosophy. 

This is making me want to go shoot...maybe I can give myself some good advice for once!

Del the cat:
Get her to cant it over at 45 degrees or even horizontal, just to build up confidence.
There is no earthy reason to hold a bow vertical... unles it has "sights" (spits on floor) on it.
If you tell her that it may remove some preconceptions and worry about doing it "right"
Del

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