Arm guard? yeah or neigh.. if your form is good should it hit?

[Wobbly_Alaska]

well the welt on my left arm is HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i can tell when my form is slacking when the string slapps my arm.. do you use an arm guard? what are the pros and cons of it... aside from the zinging stinging ZAPPOLA....

i just had the wife video me and seen my shoulder drooping slightly... man am i out of shape... getting the new Z7 worked in got a 30 yard range set up today...

what other tips you got to help form and consistancy ... been a long fattning winter thats for sure.

vince

[Prairiepredator]

If you find the string slapping your arm, try holding the bow a bit differently. You could possibly be gripping it to tightly or have too much of your hand on the grip. But I guess if none of that seems to work, try an armguard...don't think you are too tough or macho for one. I find that an armguard is great to put over top of bulky clothing while out hunting, so the sting will not catch any clothing that would be in the way of the bowstring.

A good way to grip your bow is by holding out your hand in a stop sign position, and then close it on to your handle. You will find that not very much of your hand is even touching the handle and that it is fairly relaxed.

I hope some of this can help you out.

[mossyhorn]

You could also have too long of a draw length. I havent used a armguard but see nothing wrong with them. Just do what you comfortable with man.

[Wobbly_Alaska]

oh i am only getting aobut 1 in 10 slapping me.. just got lazy this winter. and a new bow to learn... but would like to know how folks lean with training aides...

[mossyhorn]

Oh mine trainning aid was hitting my arm HARD and my buddies dad laughing saying I bet you wont do that again. Guess what he was wrong. But it hasnt been as bad as that first time.

[RangerClay]

You could also have too long of a draw length. I havent used a armguard but see nothing wrong with them. Just do what you comfortable with man.

I was taking a used Drenlin for a test drive last year. That bow kept slapping my arm. Found out later that its draw was a 1/2" longer than mine. It was just enough to straighten out my arm.

[wtnhunt]

No arm guard for me. I do use a compression sleeve when hunting. Oldest daughter uses an arm guard when she shoots.

[dbHunterNY]

I think that the draw may be too long. Some people have a naturally hyper extended arm too. However, I think your grip shouldn't change. In my opinion, you should always shoot having a low wrist loose grip on the bow, with the grip edge seated nicely along your "life line" on your hand. About the only thing I know of that may not kill your form is to rotate your natural stance slightly to the left if you're right handed. That way your bow arm is pulled out of the way a little. I'd say it's mainly based on draw length. I only really use arm guards for keeping clothing back away from the string. I know some that will add a half an inch to their actual draw length, trying to get the most speed from their bow, but that is a mistake. I think you should if anything be half an inch too short opposed to being too long.

[Muleyman]

It is definetly either your form or your draw length is too long. Don't go for an arm guard because thats not gonna solve the problem, its just gonna make it hurt less. Like prairiepredator said...make a stop sign with your hand and slowly form it onto the grip and that is how you should be holding your bow.

I hope some of this can help you out a little....Good luck!

[m gardner]

My hunting bow is 1 inch too long in draw length (30 inches) so I can get some extra speed and because of the severe string angle I need it to touch the string to my nose. I shoot a Scott Little Bitty Goose with the NCS and shorten the strap up so the string comes back further but all else stays where it's supposed to. My Martin is a longer bow (less string angle) and I shoot it at 29 inches with the original Mongoose which is a long release and the string doesn't come back as far to get a good anchor. I use a compression sleeve too when I'm wearing bulky clothes but no armguard. Try putting your hand on your chest with your elbow straight out. Then straighten your arm. Turn your knuckles at about a 45 degree angle with your hand in a pushup position and slightly bend your elbow out and down. That should be a proper position for your bow arm.

Mark

[Muleyman]

Ya I use one of those team realtree compression sleeves when I am wearing bulky clothes too.

[Wobbly_Alaska]

hmmm well i shoot 28.5 on all my bows and rarley get hit. i know that this Z7 slapps like a drunk ticked off house wife when i hold it wrong thats for sure! the bruise where the welt was yesterday is testoment to that!

[The Kid]

negative ghost rider,, maybe if you had real baggy hunting coat, but i never use one

[camoman1]

Sounds like some form fixing is in order haha!! I always have a slight bend in my bow arm, I also dont have the grip tucked into the 'palm' of my hand, it actually rests more on the meat of my thumb.

As far as keeping clothes out of the way...I found that cutting the end off of a green or black sock and sliding that over my bow hand to keep my clothes out of the way is a good inexpensive option.

[Wobbly_Alaska]

hey thats me....

found this posted on the mathews forums

great video...

http://www.bowtube.com/media/6/Get_A_Grip/

of course maybe it is my Popeye shaped forarms EH?

[ChrisSeb53]

maybe shorten the draw by .5" and see you you like it?.. i bet you would have much less wrist slap if it isn't your form causing it

[Wobbly_Alaska]

spent an hour blazing away at the target last night, kept the form good and no more welts. still working on the center shot on this new bow, i guess i will have to go indoors today to get some controlled environment for sighting

[ChrisSeb53]

sounds good... get that sucker sighted in so you can get out there and enjoy God's country! (and maybe collect some bone while you're at it)

[MichiganHunter]

you could have it set a little long so you are over extending. I had that issue with my last new bow and had it shortened about .5" and it didn't happen again.

[russell4214]

If your form is good then their should not be a problem. But if the problem continues just get a good arm guard

[Wobbly_Alaska]

If your form is good then their should not be a problem. But if the problem continues just get a good arm guard

problem solved!!!!!! she's perfect and the welt is GONE baby GONE!

[ildrhntr]

never used one ever but I know some people who have always used one

[hunterbobb]

I don't use an arm guard. I've never been slapped since I started using a compound bow.

I'm not sure if that means I have good form or I just don't shoot enough.

:gun2: