String slap

[Gooderz]

When i have been shooting lately when i straighten my arm that holds my bow, when i shoot the string hits the inside of my forearm. It isnt that painful bu is just really annoying, does this happen to enyone else and is there a solution.

Thanks :D

[Luke]

An armguard ;)

[brandon002]

bend your arm,or you could just use an arm gaurd.

[Dave]

Drawlength is to long and you are over extending your arm until it bends inwards. Arm should still be slightly bent when you are at full draw.

[No eye deer]

Draw length too long. A lot of people shoot with too long of draw length.
Even 1/2" can make a difference (and a nasty bruise)

Mark

[aussiehunter]

dave could be right there :)

pat :)

[XTfreak]

dave could be right there
I think so too...
Bill

[Luke]

Isn't it bad form to have a bent arm?

Isn't a bent arm reproducibly inconsistent and doesn't it lead to early/easier fatigue (and then the shakes) due to having to use muscles to stabilise the joints instead of the natural alignment of bone on bone? :?

Some people's arms just stick out more, it could be a lower brace height on the bow. I know I used to get smashed by my supertec (but put up with it) but every other bow (including my longbow and recurve) I've NEVER had a problem.

:? :shock:

[danceswithdingoes]

a combination of poor form and incorrect drawlengh is most likely the culprit. Any chance of picture of you at full draw, with release aid, arrow in bow and level, at least from hips up? And Luke....my supertec doesnt touch me :wink:

[aussiehunter]

luke did u watch some of those clips willy r put up the other day?

it explains u should have a slight bend in the elbow...

gooderz showing a clip of u shooting or pics would be helpful

pat :)

[GREG 2533]

yeh mate i had the same problem untill i was shown by and experienced bowhunter to have a slight bend in your elbow and it has elliminated the problem

Greg

[danceswithdingoes]

Pat, this has been argued ad-nauseum on other forums, lets just say that the majority of those that know recommend an extended bow arm, radius and ulna aligned with the wrist bones (elbow down) bow hand at 45 degrees and relaxed, with fleshy base of the thumb contacting the bow grip only. Shoulder low with arrow shelf at similar height.
Here's a pic I pinched from AT:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f16/nutsandbolts2006/Form/Keepemsharp_SmallPix_WristReleaseFo.jpg

[woodstoka]

if seen tom shoot his preety good considering he only started afew weeks ago his brace hieght on his pse is very short and a combination of to longer drawlength might be the prob this was happening to me a wile ago but then it just went away my arms obviously grew lol :D

[Kimall]

A form thread is always going to get interesting as every person has a differant body size and strength and style.But as we are a bowhunting site and not an IFa site I would go with the bent arm style.In my experience it is rare to shoot in the traditional upright back and straight arm position on game as you are normally kneeling or bending to get a shot away at game.Also 3d suits or a winter jacket can come into play in the bush.This is the main reason I have always trained with a bent arm for reasanable
results.In target archery HEAPS of time is taken going through a shot rutine to get everything into place and this also is rare in the field.I also found (and this is a personal thing) that shooting with a fully straight arm the bow arm wanted to move to the left(RH shooter) at relese but with the bent arm style the bow can move a little forward and not affect the left right of the shot.The one thing I have found made a big differance is to have the line in the crease on the inside of the elbow as straight up and down as possible at full draw as this brings the forearm away from the string also.This is all just MHO but has worked for quite a few guys that I have helped at the club.Luke if you are at anchor and pulling to the wall how can the draw be inconsistant?This is why correct draw length is so important as if it is to long(common)you cant do this as you tend to float in the valley and be very inconsistant.For me the perfect set up is at full draw and then move the whole set up back toward me to get the same feel each time.If I start to straighten the front arm to much it all gets a bit spongie.
Cheers KIM

[aussiehunter]

dances,mate im missing what ur saying??

in this pic it looks to me he has his elbow slightly bent...

ive shot with extreme bent,then full on straight and now back to a slight bend...slight seems to work for me,buts thats me....

pat :)

[Luke]

.Luke if you are at anchor and pulling to the wall how can the draw be inconsistant?

Because muscles move. Easy. The degree of bend in your elbow can never be EXACTLY the same each time. Whereas bones never change length = same degree of bend every draw.

Muscles get tired... fatigue sets in and shakes start.

As I said earlier, I have always used a straight arm and never had a problem in ANY shooting position with either compound or trad bow.

Until we see his form this is all smoke n mirrors anyways ;)

8)

[Gooderz]

ok thanks for the replies i will try and get a picture after work tommorow for you guys.

Thanks again :D

[danceswithdingoes]

Pat, that guy in the picture hasn't got a bent arm, he has bone-on-bone alignment, it looks like its bent because his elbow is pointed downward this gives the dip impression between the shoulder and the wrist.
Kimall are you seriously suggesting that someone should practice poor form because something 'might' get in the way? I respectfully disagree and feel this is irresponsible and aliken it practicing punching a release because you may not have time for using correct backtension in your release. Good form=good accuracy, having said that there are many archers that shoot very well with a bent arm (like Dejan Sitar) but should we actively teach that? The coaching manual says no :D

[aussiehunter]

dances ,mate mind if i ask who wrote the coaching manual?

mate,i dont agree that s its bad form,again this is another case of differing opinions :)

there are so many that say for a slight bend and then u say u have some for straight..

as per the clips that were posted earlier by a bloke who has records a mile long ,he recommends a slight bend...

thats just my thoughts and i ll let u guys discuss it :)

cheers pat :)

[Kimall]

Dingos I DONT believe it is bad form and lets keep punching the release out of it as that was never mentioned.(Lets keep it clear).A real prob I have with a rigid straight front arm is it tend to lock the front shoulder and this in a field situation can hinder your shot.To say practice for something that might happen is a bit nieve(SP) as I have seen time and time again people that have only shot at targets in the perfect form stuff shots on game because it is NOT the same.I have had to follow up and finish at least 4 goats that were shot by a target shooter that was so out of his comfort zone that he could not hit the vitals in the field.This is a hunting site and my thoughts(and these are only MY thoughts) are only concerned with a perfect shot in the field.I would not post on AF about form as I would be WAY out of my depth but the bows I have owned these things have worked for me.It is not from popular opinion or from a book but what has worked for ME.We are discussing ideas here so what is irresponsable about that I did not say change to my style and I did say it is differant for each person.For the record I have shot 395-400 at ABA so feel that it must work OK but of course it may be just me.
The bottom line is IF YOU CAN DO IT THE SAME EVERY TIME IT WILL WORK so draw with your teeth if you like (not really) but practice until it feels second nature and you wont go far wrong.
Cheers KIM
PS Dingos if we have a shot together one day and you can show me somwthing that works better I will be happy to change. :wink:

[Gooderz]

Hey i managed to get a pic just before. This is it. I look like a bit of a grub but i am still in my work clothes :D http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u173/TommyGooderz/pics002.jpg

[danceswithdingoes]

The 'coaching manual' as it stands was written by former Australian, Korean and now US coach, Ki Sik Lee, based on the Korean School and the practice of Biodynamics which goes back several decades and in one form or another is the most widely accepted theory used by high performance coaches world-wide. As I stated earlier many good archers shoot with bent elbows but should we teach beginners this in the off-chance that it suits them?
Gooderz, based on your pick there isnt too much to correct, at first I would shorten your draw at least and inch and shorten your release aid a further inch as well, also try and halve the length of the string loop if possible. Try to get the string to align with the tip of your nose whilst keeping your head and back straight. We can work on your bow arm and grip later but the shortened dl should ease the string slap. Refer to the pic I posted earlier and compare it with yours and you'll soon pic the difference. :D

[Luke]

Certainly Kim, and I for one do appreciate your input from what you've learnt.

I am always keen to read what you say and appreciate your taking the time.

As with myself, my opinion is based on what I've learnt from my shooting and also from what I know having studied anatomy, physiology, physics and biomechanics at a Uni level specifically related to Human Sports Performance. I'm not saying this is more "qualified" or gives my contributions more weight than yours, merely adding to support the background to me making the statements I have.

cheers,

8)

[Luke]

I'd say shorten the draw length ;)

[Kimall]

Yippeeeee I agree shorten the draw length so we DO agree on something.On this bow and on other target bows the string on the nose thing will work fine but on a 32 inch bow I have found you will struggle to get it anywhere close and still be able to line up the sites and peep.Better to work on getting a good anchor with your release hand on your jaw.BUT this is for a HUNTING bow which again shows how hard it is to give form advice on a forum without seeing someone shoot.The thing with pics is not many people hold for a pic exactly the same as they would shoot arrow after arrow.
Luke it doesnt make you more qualamyfied just a GEEK. :D :wink:
Cheers KIM

[Luke]

GEEK.

Hey, I represent that comment! :lol: (when it comes to that stuff) ;)

8)

[rinaldo]

Yup you could shorten you draw length, your front shoulder is to high if you drop it and engage your scapular you will lengthen your draw length. You have to much hand on the grip and you need to rotate your bicep in so its a little more horizontal to the ground. All these things will help reduce string slap. Also your loop is way too long hope this helps.

[Gooderz]

Hey thanks for all the help i was just wondering what my loop is Also your loop is way too long hope this helps.

[Luke]

the D loop - the thing you clip your release aid onto ;)

[Gooderz]

OH YEAH DOH!!! :oops:


thanks for the tip :D

[Luke]

Anytime mate :D

[rinaldo]

I think you could shorten your release aid so you are triggering the release deeper into your finger rather than the tip of your finger. This will help bring your release hand closer to your face rather than have it floating around in mid air on the other side of your head, it should help your accuracy, more reference points etc. IMO :D