Slapping forearm

[Greg Gilliland]

So when I shoot any longbow I slap more my forearm on every shot. Shoot my recurve never touch it. Same as when I shot a wheelie bow never touched it. Any ideas on why. I feel my forms the same. Not sure, any help would be great.

Thanks Greg

[Friends call me Pac]

First thing I would do is increase the brace height.  Works for me with my longbow.

[Pops]

Maybe your wrist is rotating with your longbow

[lpcjon2]

Check your wrist and elbow

[George D. Stout]

You should be shooting your longbow just like you shoot a recurve.  If you are taking some folks advice and gripping it, you will probably have wrist slap.  What kind of longbow?  Is the grip dished or locator, etc.   Mostly it's just a form issue....like that darned gripping thing.

[Rob DiStefano]

i never ever need an armguard, even for low braced hill longbows.

grip the bow's handle lightly between the web of your thumb and forefinger, with the majority of pressure at that web and on the thumb/palm flesh, and angle your bow hand - don't grip the bow vertically.

[Bob L.]

Rob,
Is there anyway you can post a pick of how you grip angle the bow hand cause my arms black and blue?
Thanks
Bob

[xtrema312]

The grip is one.  Also watch that you are not plucking and shooting the arrow into your arm.  Keep your elbow turned out; that should be the same on all bows, but on a LB if you have a straighter grip it is a lot easier to let the elbow fall for me because the hand angle is different on a LB grip vs. a curve.  Don't be afraid to get you lower finger tips on the riser center of the back or even tucked in a little to help with the elbow and find a grip that works better.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Bob L.:
Rob,
Is there anyway you can post a pick of how you grip angle the bow hand cause my arms black and blue?
Thanks
Bob

in particular, notice the knuckle alignment.
 
straight, arm slappin' grip - see how the arm is tucked in and the knuckles are verticle?  not good ...
 

angled, arm clearing grip - now the arm is rolled out and the knuckles are angled.  good ...
 

[JF]

How you grip the bow makes all the difference.John

[Earthdog]

Great example Rob,hope you don't mind me copying them to my collection ?
I won't use them on line, but I would like to show them to some mates the next time the subject comes along.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Earthdog:
Great example Rob,hope you don't mind me copying them to my collection ?
I won't use them on line, but I would like to show them to some mates the next time the subject comes along.

be my pleasure, sir.

[Earthdog]

Thanks mate.

[BobCo 1965]

Hey, I think that's my old longbow there Rob! Hope you're liking it.

To go one step further, in order for me to shoot a longbow such as the one pictured, HH types, or selfbows, I have to get that thumb joint pictured just to the right on Rob's bottom picture, pretty much in the direct center or just slightly off to the right of the handle.

People are different so don't be afraid to experiment. Also keep safety in mind however.

Much like this (picture from HH Shooters website, picture is not me).

   

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by BobCo 1965:
Hey, I think that's my old longbow there Rob! Hope you're liking it. ...

hey bob, love the sunbear.  finally glad to have a chance to own one of charlie's fine creations.  so, thank you!  

just as you've stated, there are form basics to observe and almost all will need to get tweaked to fit an archer's physique.