Full Draw?

[CRM_95]

I've been shooting a LOT, and I'm getting better every day. I can tell I'm doing the same thing every time, my draw is the same, anchor is the same, release is the same...But when I draw to anchor I feel like there is a slight, very slight, bend in my bow arm. My elbow is locked but it doesn't feel completely extended. Should I force my bow arm out more so that it's completely straight? I've tried it, and of course it throws me off. Just wondering if a slight bend in the bow arm elbow is ok, or if I should really try to force that bow arm out.

[jt85]

I shoot with a slight bend in my bow arm, it's comfortable and I never slap my arm with the string.

[ranger 3]

Everyone shoots different, some shoot with a slightly bent elbow and upon release the arm gets fully extended toward the target. Its a push to the target and pull to your anchor I hope this makes sense.

[CRM_95]

Originally posted by ranger 3:
Everyone shoots different, some shoot with a slightly bent elbow and upon release the arm gets fully extended toward the target. Its a push to the target and pull to your anchor I hope this makes sense.

It does make sense. I notice when I release my bow arm moves forward toward the target slightly as well. I can really stretch it out and push my bow arm straight, but when I do it feels almost like I'm overdrawing my bow and my arrow could end up anywhere!!

[mangonboat]

Men tend to have different upper limb geometry than women..that's why most men naturally have a slight bend at the elbow when their arms are hanging relaxed at their side. You  dont want to force your elbow to hyperextend beyond its natural position. Perhaps a better question is whether you are certain that you are using your back muscles fully.

[Shadowhnter]

See, im different. I use to shoot with a bend, but i broke that habit. I found my groups to lack consistency. With the bend, i had nothing to gauge the amount it was bent, and under the pressure, would make tiny variances that would throw my arrows more. I know what you mean about feeling like you over draw, but what i adopted, was a more open stance facing the target slightly more, instead of so much dead sideways to it. Doing so, clears my arm of the string, and with a straight arm i can come back to middle finger at mouths corner, feeling quite comfortable, and shots are much more consistent then they were for me when i used a bent arm. I shoot instictive soley with no reference points, and cant my bow a bit. Other methods may not work like that idk. Its still the same push pull feel, but in pushing, it seems to spring more at the target in a controlled way upon release. If your elbow is extended naturally without force, thats all you need.

[Shadowhnter]

Everyone is different though

[KAZ]

I believe you're good to go as is.... I shoot with slight bend as well. Push-Pull, back tension is critical.... Focus intensely on your spot, push your bow hand towards the spot firmly & actively (not static), Pull with your draw arm through back muscles/shoulders to anchor while staying loose (not bound) and ACTIVE Push-Pull, then loose the string. bow hand naturally moves forward a little, Draw elbow should naturally come back some at the release of energy.... Hopefully all in alignment with arrow ,straight back. I think you've got it.

[McDave]

I recommend an unlocked, though pretty much straight elbow.  If you do insist in locking out your bow arm elbow, be aware of any elbow pains before they develop into tennis elbow and stop locking your elbow, at least as long as the pains last.  Bow arm tennis elbow can be caused by repeated small shocks to the elbow every time you shoot the bow.  Unlocking the elbow cushions these shocks to some degree.  Obviously, shooting a bow without much hand shock helps too.