Use of Arm Guards-Pros and Cons

[Penntradarcher]

#6816

Been shooting my new longbow about a week now, having switched from a recurve. With the longbow I’m findng I’m getting string slap on my forearm, something that never happened with the recurve. Okay, so I put on an arm guard that I have laying around and the string hitting the arm guard seems to be causing inaccurate shooting. So I’m wondering is this a problem with my form or do I need a lower-profile armguard (if they make such a thing)?

[BuckyT]

#55130

The only time I wear a arm guard is when I’m hunting in cold weather. Keeps my extra clothing out of the way.

[BuckyT]

#55132

And.. If you’re slapping your arm constantly, arm guard or not, your form is incorrect.

[Penntradarcher]

#55141

Not slapping constantly but enough to start hurting after awhile. 🙂 I like to cant the bow when I shoot, a tip I picked up from reading G.Fred Asbell. I just don’t feel comfortable shooting standing with the bow straight up and down. Having said that, do you think it’s the canting that’s causing the string slap?

[David Petersen]

#55151

Penn– the number one cause of string slapping arm is too low a brace height. Bring it up incrementally until the slap stops and you should also have a better-tuned bow, quieter and less hand shock. If that doesn’t work then indeed you must be gripping in a way that torques your bow wrist inward.

[Mark Turton]

#55704

If none of the above help you may be locking your elbow out this may be the cause, turn your elbow out to the left (assuming you are right handed).

Mark.

[David Coulter]

#55731

My bowyer, Leon Stewart, offered this when I talked to him about string slap. Hold the strung bow straight armed out in front of you. If the string is against your wrist, turn the bow in your hand so that the string is below your wrist. That’s where you grip the bow. I usually only wear an arm guard when my shirt or coat might get in the way. Even with a heavy wool coat I usually don’t have a problem. Give it a try. dwc

[Wexbow]

#55955

As already said – check brace height and ensure adequate elbow “rotation”, i.e. turn your bow arm bicep towards the ground.

[Ralph]

#56058

Then again, if you have “popeye” forearms like I’ve been accused of having all my life, an arm guard is a mighty good thing to wear to avoid that, when least expected, little sting. Once stung, not forgotten. Really don’t need it most of the time but sometimes I do. The sting usually tells me my string has lengthened some and needs twisted up a couple of turns. Some people shoot their longbows with as low of brace height that they can get away with to get that little bit more speed but one good whapp on the arm ain’t worth that. The difference is really negligible to most of us anyway. So raise it up and go for it. Or wear an arm guard and not worry. You probably gonna need one anyway with long sleeve shirt or a coat.

My 2¢

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#58410

It could be a number of things. for me, it’s a always a form mistake. I never wear an arm guard and I occasionally slap my arm when I don’t pay attention to my arms/shoulders alignment.

[Ripforce]

#58981

I only wear arm guards with heavy clothing, I have a stretchy sleeve that goes over my forearm! I shoot longbows exclusively 2 R/Ds, a flatbow, Selbow, and a D-Style I have never got stringslap. I also shoot with a slight cant, as stated above it could be a grip or bow arm issue, try changing those. you will figure it out!:D

[Dan Sweeney]

#61452

Bend your arm.

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