I read a passing comment in a recent thread that implicitly indicated that the person who made the comment has bought into the "bent bow-arm" method of shooting a bow.

The thread subject was actually about why the shooter was experiencing forearm contact from his or her bowstring. Eventually, he/she made a statement indicating (paraphrased) that he/she knew the bow-arm should be relaxed and not fully straight. A few readers reinforced the shooter's belief my saying that the bow-arm should be bent.

Additionally, a reader or two seemingly suggested that bending the bow-arm was wholly or partly the cure for string slaps to the bow-arm. Not only do I not endorse the bent bow-arm shooting form to be proper form, bending the bow-arm to prevent string slap would be a Band-Aid, would mask the actual cause, and would introduce new shooting problems.

I have read articles in which the writer casually recommended the bent arm form but did not explain why he/she believed the bent arm method is proper form. I have read articles in which the writer advocated the bent arm form and attempted to give brief reasons why the bent arm form was important. I have been around a few shooters who use the bent arm method, try to explain why the method is proper form. In none of the cases in which a bent bow-arm method was insinuated or said to be proper form was I ever clear or convinced that the method makes sense and contributes to accuracy.

I am curious and would like to read explanations as to how the bent-arm evolved and why some believe the method is proper shooting form or is not proper shooting form. I have many reasons why I believe some shooters shoot with a bent bow-arm and why I consider the bent arm method to be detrimental to form and accuracy, but I am going to sit back and read awhile to see if others that do not support the method for some of the same reasons I do not, and to see if someone who does support the method can clearly explain and justify the "method."