ORIGINAL: Rick James

Been through extensive coaching with 2x seperate NAA and NFAA certified coaches, both of which have students holding world records and one of which has 2x students on US archery team. Both teach straight arm, not hyperextended. I shoot straight arm and can shoot the straight arm with absolutely no tension in it or in my front shoulder if I bottom out the shoulder. I shoot the same way with a hunting setup and if you are usinga proper grip on it I never have arm contact issues even with cold weather hunting clothes.

This debate is as old as the hills and you will always see people on both sides of the fence. Look at the pro's though, and you will see both as well, but a LOT more of them with a straight arm.Then again,some shoot very well with a bent arm. It all depends on repeatability and almost as important..........if you can do it with no tension in the arm and shoulder.

Jesse Broadwater shoots the bent elbow VERY well:



Corey Monahan shoots very well with a straight arm: