bruise marks

m9a9g9i9c · 05-06-2007, 12:20 PM

ok, first time I shot with a release and my new tomkat I let the string burn a nice little bruise on the inside of my elbow, not on the fore arm.
is this me standing wrong or could it be my drawlength is wrong ?
gonna heal up first and try figuring it out, in the mean time any useful tips ?
first time I've experienced this, ****in' painful.

Frank

davepjr71 · 05-06-2007, 12:33 PM

Could be either one.

Check the following problems:

1. Left elbowtoo straight. Caused by trying to extend the bow out or gripping too tightlyinstead of just holding it loosely in your hand.
2. Right foot is not directly behind left foot. Try a more closed stance.
3. Left shoulder pushed up. Shoulder gets pushed in from too much draw weight.

I usually hit mine if I break 1 or 2.

m9a9g9i9c · 05-06-2007, 12:52 PM

thx, I didn't choke the bow, but I didn't position my feet all that well, and I overstretched my elbow a bit, gonna check my drawlength at the shop tomorrow...

thx for the help

davepjr71 · 05-06-2007, 01:40 PM

One other thing to check. Is the string touching your nose at full draw? If it's out in front of your nose then you probably aren't pulling the release back far enough.

I switched releases and was used to having my right hand further forward. Had to change my anchor point entirely with the new release. Just something else to check.

Len in Maryland · 05-06-2007, 01:55 PM

Archery shouldn't be a hazardous sport. You're going to really hurt yourself unless you get PROfessional help quickly.

If you're hitting your elbow, you've got some serious form and fit problems. Your best and safestway to fix it is to let someone, who knows what they're doing, examine everything. If your archery shop let you walk out the door with that set-up, go back and demand that they do it correctly. I hope that they are a PRO Shop and not just an archery retailer.

Good luck.

m9a9g9i9c · 05-07-2007, 11:20 AM

well, the bow's fine, I must have been too eager hitting target and forgetting my stance, the guy at the shop actually changed the drawlength when I asked fora release, it needs getting used to not having the string on your fingers.....

what surprises me is the nice accurate response on the forum, even for a novice like me, it's been 3 years since I last shot a bow.

thx again.

Frank

BGfisher · 05-07-2007, 02:25 PM

Frank,

Normally when changing from fingers to release you have to shorten the bow about 3/4" in draw. The string makes a sharper bend around the release/loop instead of that nice long arc around the fingers.

Bow hand position on the grip can make a whale of a difference, too.

davepjr71 · 05-07-2007, 03:31 PM

I'm glad everything worked out. Sometimes all you have to do is step back, take a deep breath, and think things through before going into code red.

I took 2 yrs off and switched everything when I started back. Getting used to having your hand back under your jaw instead of right by your nose is a big adjustment. But once you find that anchor point that works everything comes together rather quickly.