My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

When I release on my shot, my bowstring keeps hitting my forearm. I use a armguard but why does it do this? Is it because the draw length is too long or what??

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

Bend your elbow slightly. It works for me . . . and OH when I forget . . . OUCH!

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

Very often it is either a drwlength problem as you stated or a locked elbow/deep grip problem.

Use a very slight bend in the elbow and get the grip more onto the thumb side of your lifeline with your nuckles at about a 45 deg. angle.

Or......shorten that draw;)

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

micdundee

Once you do what DC and Rack say, try this simple test.

When your in your shooting stance, move your right foot (if you are right-handed) a half to a full foot-length forward and then shoot. It is not an absolute test, but if the string stops slapping your arm, most likely your draw-length is too long.

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

Slight bend at the elbow works for me too. Maybe you should try it also......Hope it works! The draw lenght is probably the next thing to check...

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

[:o]Hurts don' t it![:o]

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

First thing that came to mind was that the drawlength was too long. I have used a more open stance and slight bent elbow to keep from doing it but I think this is more of a fix to the problem then a cure to it. I noticed that I would also hit more to the left (RH shooter) when it was too long also. If you can shorten the draw I' d try that and see how it works.

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RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

Check your brace height. I was having the same problem and it turned out to be string stretch. I twisted the string to bring the brace height back into specs (which shortened the draw length) and all is well now. My arm is almost healed and the flinching is less every day!

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

I agree with all the advice you have received here. My own testimony is - I was getting string slap for years and wore an arm guard and declared that my draw length was perfect but after reading some posts here on the board I decided to try shortening my draw length by 1" . What a difference! I don' t get string slap at all, I shoot much better, I flinch much less, and for the first time the bow ' feels right' . Good luck.

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

Shortening my drawlength helped me, but more than that, do what Rack said. Move your bow out away from the center of your palm. Hold it more on the ball of your thumb and cock your wrist a little. Hope this helps, I know how bad it hurts.

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

An ' ole timer once told me to fold my pinky and ring finger in, and hold the bow with the index, midle, and thumb.... I don' t hit my arm, and I don' t have to bend my arm. I' ve built a nice calus on my ring finger, and I' ve shot much better.. I believe that as long as you do the same thing everytime.....you will shoot consistantly...same with a pistol, or rifle. Shooting is a physical thing...change the least from shot to shot, and you will be more..consistant....and if you are consistant, you can get yourself to the center of the target. Just my opinion...good luck.

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

There could be MANY reasons for your problem-I was a pro shooter for 20 years & have been an avid Archer/Bowhunter 45 years.
Draw your bow, anchor & then while at full draw rotate your elbow out about a quarter turn (easy to do at full draw). You will be able to shoot WITHOUT a arm guard after a little practice & you will start doing it without thinking about it after a little practice. You may want to use an arm guard hunting to hold your cloths out of the way. I don' t 7 have no problems. Good luck.

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

Shorten your draw. You' re hitting your forearm because you' re overextending your arm to fully draw your bow. Take an inch off, and you will see how much better you shoot. You may lose a couple fps, but you will be MORE stable at full draw and will be able to more carefully aim.

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

I would also agree and tell you to shorten your draw by an inch.

RE: My string keeps hitting my arm???
 

One other thing that helped me: hold the bow more loosely in your hand. I had the same problem due to holding it too tight and torqueing the bow out. Try drawing it with your hand more open and slowly close for a very light grip.

Not that the other suggestions here are bad ones, but this one requires no resetting of your bow and no money spent.

Good Luck!