I shoot with a very slight bend in the elbow. I used to shoot with a straight arm and my brother convinced me to change my form. I didn' t see much of a difference. I read an article in Bow and Arrow Hunting, don' t remember the fellow who wrote it, on this subject. The guy is an olympic archer and he shoots with a locked elbow. His opinion was do whatever is comfortable for you, neither is right or wrong. Try both and make your own decision.