straight bow arm

[xeonsPWN]

so tomorow im goign to try to keep my bow arm straight instead of bending the elbow like my instructors always say. im a little worried the string is going to hit my arm if i dont bend my elbow..... is there anythign else i should do to make sure that doesnt happen?

[Big Boy Blue]

My coach told me that the elbow is supposed to be locked and facing outwards. I have no problems with the string hitting my arm. I would guess that there are other body alignment problems if this is happening, chest pushed forward etc.

You could also try a more open stance to reduce contact.

[matt]

All depends on the shape of your elbow joint which does vary between people. If I straighten my arm out I have part of the elbow sticking out in the line of the string.

For me the solution is to rotate the elbow joint clockwise so that the elbow joint is vertical. This gets the elbow out of the way of the string. It might take a bit of work but is better than having a bent arm.

Stance shouldn't really make a difference as even with an open stance your shoulders still should be inline.

[elastoplastscavenger]

if i lock my elbow it ends up bleeding...

[Bald Eagle]

Bend your arm, slightly , this will drop your shoulder and stop you hitting your arm. Try shooting a whole day with a straight arm and you will soon go back to a relaxed bent bow arm!

[LineCutter]

The elbow thing is actually a shoulder thing. Straight arm, with shoulder rotated inwards (i.e. elbow bends so that the forearm moves horizontally) is no problem for string clearance.

I'm sure that the main reason for people finding the bent elbow "safer" is that you can't really draw a bow with a bent elbow & the elbow bending upwards (shoulder joint rotated outwards). Women suffer from externally rotated shoulders even more than men - their elbows get hit more easily.

I use a straight arm & struggle with the idea that I can relax an arm that is being bent at the elbow by the force of the drawing arm. Then again, like everything in archery, you should go with what works for you.

[Woodie]

If the knucles of your bow hand are at 45 degrees this should set your elbow in the right position.

[Marcus26]

What is the phobia that people have about armguards? I see so many people shoot crap form so they don't have to wear one.
Look at pictures of Peter Elzinga. Dude shot 1410 with a 357 at 50m wearing an armguard.
As for the whole shooting with a bent arm thing, go get yourself a 40lb weight and stand in the middle of the room with your legs bent and hold them in exactly the same position. Not the best way of doing thigs is it?

[hooktonboy]

I'm with Woody on this. If you have your knuckles at 45 degrees I.e hold the bow with thumb and first 2 fingers, tuck the other 2 in like a fist, this makes your forearm / elbow rotate outwards - no string hit and incidentally you'll probably have a more relaxed "grip" on the bow. Worth a try anyway.

[Jerry Tee]

When people say 'bent' perhapps what they mean is not locked that's the way I shoot. About 5 or 10 degrees off the locked (can't get it any straighter)position.