help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Ok guys ihave a form promlem or something. every time i shoot im getting some forearm slap so i have to use an arm guard. I shoot with an open grip, i grip the bow in a way as to align my grip with the bones in my arm, the bow feels like it fits like a glove and im very comfy with it. Im holding my release elbow slightly higher than my anchor point. This has been a problem with me for many years and every bow i have shot. HELP STOP THE MADNESS[X(] Bow is a mathews Q2 bought new in 2005 (factory leftover) whisker bisquit that i have absloutly no trouble with. copperjohn dead nuts sights, peep, kisser button, truball release, carbon express termanators.
Dan

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

The main reason this happens to people is because they lock their bow arm./ Try relaxing it. Even bending it out somewhat, just to get in the habit of shooting it relaxed. Youre bones should be farther out than your grip.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Are you sure you're shooting with your correct draw length and not just whats comfortable?

More often than not people shooting with a draw length that is longer than it should be get slapped by their string.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Just to add to other comments, make sure you rotate your elbow out, not down.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Dan nailed this one.
Shorten your draw length just a little at a time.
It will cure the problem when you get it to the right drawlength.

MC

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Draw length would be my guess.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

You could just cheat and keep shooting the same and buy an STS.:D

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

As others mentioned its def. a draw length problem!!!!

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

People always get mad when I say their draw length is too long so I won't go there. Make your arms longer.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

3 things. And you can take them to the bank.

1. More than likely your DL isa bit too long....Shorten it up a bit.

2. Open your stance. For instance, if you shoot right handed, move your right foot 1/2 step forward, away from you. That will move the your release arm, and the string, away from your bow arm.

3. Unlock your bow arm elbow, but 90% of the time when folks do this it is because their draw length is too long....

One or a combinationof these corrections works 100% of the time, in my experiences anyway......I am SURE someone will pop on here and say neither of those worked for them, but I assure you it will.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Ben Pearson solved this problem with their biogrip bows. The grip is angled at 20 degrees which keeps your forearm out of the path of the string. It's the most comfortable way to hold a bow, but it's only available on Ben Pearson bows. Take a look at the Pearson Pride, for example...



Or you could just get an STS.

I like to shoot with my bow arm straight. I'm more stable that way, and I get more speed due to the increased draw length. I use an STS and it eliminates all forearm slap, even with a heavy coat.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Your draw length is too long. You should have a slight bend in your elbow when you are at full draw.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

# 1 reason - Draw length as posted numerous times before. If the draw length of the bow is more than your body's natural form you will "lock" your elbow in a straight position which exposes the forearm.

On a side note, it is better to shoot a bow that has a shorter draw length whereconsistent accuracy is concerned. Too long a draw length bow will not allow you toanchor at the same point each time you draw. This is because you have to over-draw (your form)to find the wall of the cam(s).

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

By the sounds of this forum, I have a draw length problem...yet I shoot alright and I have a solid anchor point. I had this problem (forearm slap) a few years ago and changed the way I hold the bow. I hold it with an open hand such that my finger tips face the ground (my forearm also faces the ground). I don't smack my arm anymore and my accuracy has increased...but now you folks have me thinking about the draw length thing. Might be something to look in to. Thanks.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

gzg i really like the looks of that bow whats the price and specs on it

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Blood post a pic of your form...WH is on the right track...you may be shooting too long a draw.

Bo

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Draw length definetely. I had a draw length too long and would slap mine too. I shortened it and it went away.

When it happens now, I just relax my bow arm a bit or try and face the target differently.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

voz -

You stated you have a solid anchor point. That anchor point is determined not byjust where you place your release hand or kisser button or whatever you use to locate the string end of your draw to a consistent place.

If the draw length of the bow is longer than your body's draw length, you are not holding the bow in the same position each time and are instead compensating byallowing your bow hand to move into a natural position(locked), or somewhere close.

A shorter draw lengthwill force your elbow out and away from the bow, thus preventing string sting.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Guys, guys , guys!


Before you change draw length, try this;

When you grip the bow handle, do not let the palm of your hand touch the handle. The heel of your thumb should be all that touches the grip.

This pic shows what part of your hand should be making contact with the grip.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

When gripping the bow to shoot, your grip should look similar to this. I say similar because I just took the photos of myself holding the bow ( kinda awkward)


Just keep your bow hand sorta open with the heel of your thumb holding back the bow.

Try a few shots like this. It should eliminate the forearm slap. Let us know.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

keep your lifeline (The one by the thumb) perpendicular to the ground

Try to get your first two knuckles as close to paralell with the ground as possible

dont lock your elbow and turn it out not down

If you dont have a bow sling get one

If you cant keep a good anchor in that position then your draw length may be too long

Windwalkers pics are excellent

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Gripping the bow in this manner causes the elbow to bend outward.


Even if you just draw back your bow in this way, you will see your elbow go out. I use to have a big problem with this many, many years ago. I was at a proshop looking at armgaurds when the owner showed me this way to grip.

He lost a sale that day but helped me overcome my problem.


Too long a draw length will also cause forearm slap but even with proper draw length,a bow gripped the wrong way will cause slap.


I've showed this to quite a few guys that had problems. Today, they don't wear their armguards anymore.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

This is actually what you need to be trying to accomplish.The FOREARM is what needs to be turned out NOT THE ELBOW.This will create space.Your draw length,may or may not be too long.It always amazes me that people make draw length assumptions and have never even seen a picture.If you lean back or hit your arm,people start screaming draw length.It is form more often and not draw length.

Check out this picture,most on here will say his draw length is too long.His elbow is not turned out but his forearm is turned outward but not out.He is a level 3 coach and has about 7 national championships to his name.I quess his elbow is too high too.:D

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

It's called the Pearson "Pride". It retails for $609 but you can pick them up much cheaper than that. Last week a new one sold on ebay for $280. It has great specs -

32.5" a to a
7.75" brace
4.2#
Bio Grip
Vib X
Vapor Trail Strings and cables
Solid limbs
312 ibo
Lifetime Warranty.

If you haven't shot a Pearson bow, you don't know what your missing. They are extemely quiet and shock free. Thebiogrip is like heaven. It just feelsso much more natural than trying to force yourforearm and elbowout of the way.www.benpearson.com

Pearson also makes a Limited Run version of the exact same bow called the Python. It's a non-catalog bow that is for dealers only. Everything is identical to the Pride - riser, cams, string, except the name and it doesn't come with the Bowjax. Go over to Archerytalk.com and type in "Pearson Python" into the search function. You buy it from Monofletch for $385. He sells tons of Pearson's over there and everybody loves their bows. His partner also sells the Limited Edition Pearson's on ebay. His name is "Bubbabuck". These bows come with a Lifetime Warranty from Pearson.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

I cannot see the pictures, but please explain to me how you can rotate your arm so as to move your forearm away from the bow without also moving your elbow in the same direction.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

gforce,it isn't hard.look at the muscleabove his elbow.It is pointed up.If you turn your elbow out,it will be pointed in,toward the bow.

Turning the forearm out is done with the wrist.When you turn your wrist parralel(or close to)to the ground,you will see this muscle tighten up but the elbow will not move.This turns the forearm out but not the elbow.If you are trying to turn your elbow,you are creating angles instead of bone to bone contact.Too many angles in your form is HARD to repeat and takes MUCH practice to repeat.When you get proper bone to bone alignment and the fewest amount of angles possible,the form is EASY to repeat.

Try it a few times and you will see what I am talking about,I HOPE.The internet is hard to explain these kinds of things but if you copy the picture,you will be there.The only possible issue might be that you could hit clothingwhilehunting.Some will say to shorten the draw length and bend the elbow,This will create space and it will help but it is a bandaid fix.Proper form will also eliminate the slap.Bending the elbow is fine,(especially for hunting)as long as your are not turning the elbow out away from the string.Do this (turning elbow out)and you will see an angle that I speak of above.The arm will go out and then back in.It should have a straight line to the shoulder.


Hope this helps and doesn't confuse.[8D]

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Try this guys!


Hold your bow arm straight out.

Make a fist.

NOW! Make sure your knuckles are straight up and down.

NOW! Make your knuckles horizontal.

Notice what your elbow does.


It's all in how you grip the bow.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Oh;)!!! Had to grab my bow and try moving the position of my grip, forearm, etc. to see the relationship while at full draw.

My youngest daughter had some trouble with string sting when she first started shooting her Parker Buckshot. Her arm actually hyper-extends at the elbow when holding her arm straight. We tried shortening her draw length, maybe we should work on adjusting her grip instead.

THANKS TFOX

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Unbelivable responses, this is why i love this site, great info and even pics, you guys are great, I was draw length measured at the pro shop but i realize that does not mean its right. couple more questions.1.- my bow says it is a 29 " draw, if my draw length is to long, can it be shortened with cam adjustments? 2.- I keep hearing about an STS, what is that? I will experiment with some of these suggestions, the pics are great!!:) Heck, Tfox even offered to meet up sometime and try to resolve this, WOW!! I will try some of the different ways to grip and play with the arm rotation a bit. Davidmill, dont hold back bud, i wont get mad, im a big boy i can take it[8D]I will let you guys know what i come up with.
Dan

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Guys if i posted pics of myself shooting, i would fear Germ would think im good looking and would want to cuddle.[8D][8D]
Dan

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

http://www.obsessionarchery.com/sts-shock-terminator-suppressor-p-698.html

The STS is a string supressor that mounts on your stabilizer hole and wraps around toward the string. I couldn't find the manufacturer's website because well...I'm not sure who that is...but the above link will explain it anyway.

The theory with the STS and arm slap goes as follows.....The STS stops the string at the bows brace height, not farther. People get the arm slap from the string going BEYOND brace height. We've not seen this actually work to stop arm slap at the shop, though I don't discredit it's validity.

The open stance, grip, and proper draw length are the 3 most reliable cures, IMHO. The STS is, however, GREAT at making a bow quieter.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

Thanks for being there Mobow!! its appreciated.
Dan

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

You will see this with alot of girls.Just like the girls seem to be left eye dominant and right handed more than boys.

She is most likely locking the elbow if she is hyperextending it.I don't promote locking the elbow but some coachesdo.I am not a certified coach but have been coached by a level 4 coach.If you look at recurve shooters,alot of them lock their elbows but a recurve is different than a compound.Just a tad bit letoff.;)

There is also a chance the draw length is too long.


I can hit my arm with bows that are way too short on draw if I don't turn my wrist properly,and I can shoot bows that are too long on draw with no problems when my arm is right.My bow is actually pulling 28 3/4" right now,which is a 1/4" too long but I am having no trouble shooting it with my hunting clothes on but I also use an STS.I shoot better with a little bit longer draw than I do with a draw that is a little too short.It cuts down on lefts and rights.I am a little backwards of normal.:eek:I am getting ready to twist a little to get my draw back into my specs.It just feels better and I do shoot better at 28 1/2"


We tend to want a little shorter draw when hunting because of clothing and shot situations.The picture is of TARGET form and shortening up a little is probably considered "correct" for hunting.

RE: help-- stop the forearm slap
 

After a number of viewings of the photos you posted, I could finally see them. Something weird must have been going on with my PC when I firstopenedyourearlier post to thethread.

Jen isright-eye dominant ( verified before starting to shoot .22's years ago) and right-handed. After watching her form duringarchery practice, she goes through a ritual following the draw. She acquires the target, takes the time to place the sight pin on the bullseye and Iwatch her adjust her bow arm into aposition that does not involve shifting her elbow,but indeed moves her forearm away from harms way as far as the string is concerned. I think we got her draw length down, and I believe she is naturallyadjusting her grip position in the process. In doing so, she has not since gotten bit by the string. Her accuracy is amazing out to twenty yards.

Form, grip and draw lengthall=the equation in this instance.