Bend in Bow Arm

[buzz lite beer]

Is it the done thing as a coach to advise archers to shoot with a bend in the bow arm *(recurve), Have seen many new archers shoot this way and heard a few coaches advise this, yet there are very few top level shooters who shoot with anything other than a locked arm, what is the reason for this line of tuition, is it just a sudo cure for string clearance. surely as a coach you should be leading students towards the top level.

[napolienne]

Not sure about the locked arm part...and just how bent is the bent arm these new archers have? I've always been told arm straight (by the time you anchor), but not locked.

Surely having a bow arm bent significantly is going to put uneven strain on the arm muscles?

[Bald Eagle]

I think you already know my answer to this Buzz, by "bending your elbow" you automatically drop your shoulder and this stops the string from making contact with the forearm, very common in novice archers. The elbow doesn't have to be 45 deg, just a slight bend so as to relax the shoulder. Locking the arm is very hard to do for some archers and can cause tension and a bad release. Remember Wip Weekers KISS, keep it simple, stupid!!

[buzz lite beer]

Originally Posted by Bald Eagle

I think you already know my answer to this Buzz, by "bending your elbow" you automatically drop your shoulder and this stops the string from making contact with the forearm, very common in novice archers. The elbow doesn't have to be 45 deg, just a slight bend so as to relax the shoulder. Locking the arm is very hard to do for some archers and can cause tension and a bad release. Remember Wip Weekers KISS, keep it simple, stupid!!

My apeal was are GNAS coaching recommend methods.
So that method is just given to novices, then they progress to a straight arm or is it recommended pursuit of all archers to shoot with a bender??
Bones in line = Less muscle involvement

[LineCutter]

There seems to be a circular series of discussions about how straight a straight elbow is & whether bent ones are really just unlocked straight ones! (& don't forget the hyperextendable elbows that some beginners torture themselves with).

IMO:
Logically, you want the force of the draw to pass through the centre of the pivot of the joint. Then is doesn't need a bend or locking out with muscular forces...but. That would mean carving a channel up your arm pretty much as far as the shoulder joint. Ergo, all recommendations represent a compromise. The more bent the elbow the further from the ideal line. This may not be a problem for low poundage bows (i.e. beginners), but will start to cause stability/fatigue issues at higher poundages. Of course, a bent elbow makes it harder to throw your arm as you release, but that's a different training requirement.

[TJ Mason]

The GNAS recommendation is "straight but not locked". This makes the best biomechanical sense. If the bow elbow's bent, it will straighten out sharply when the bow is shot, which will apply jerk force to the muscles, tendons and joint tissue.

If you have a look on Archery Talk, you'll find many compound shooters complaining of pains in the bow elbow. I'm strongly of the opinion that this is a result of shooting with a bent bow elbow, common among US compound shooters.

[tel]

Just a thought - unless the bend is consistent (and how could you tell?), aren't you altering the drawlength too?

[JohnK]

I have seen coaches - both GNAS and other - telling archers to bend their bow arms when shooting recurve. The results are never good and can lead to injury.

As for the difference between locked and straight, that depends on the archer.

[Marcus26]

Teach em right from day one.
Hope if one of these archers develops tendonitis they sue their coaches.




OK flame away, I'm ready <bracing>

[wingate_52]

The bow arm should be straight and pushing towards the gold.