string slap

[bear mike]

Okay for some reason as of late I'm getting some string slap on my upper arm. I shoot with a pretty heavy cant I used to never really need to wear anything to keep arm slap from happening because its never been a problem any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Mike

[McDave]

On your upper arm, you mean the string is hitting your arm between your shoulder and your elbow?  Where exactly is it hitting your arm?

[bear mike]

yes my upper arm between my shoulder and elbow I shoot a straight limb longbow with a pretty heavy cant

[Jim Casto Jr]

You should be shooting with an open stance.

[McDave]

Over years of instructing many people to shoot the bow, I have encountered a number of people who had string slap on their lower bow arms, but never one who had string slap on his upper bow arm.  Shooting my own bow last night, I tried to imagine how it would even be possible, and couldn't come up with anything.  I don't think any of the usual remedies would apply, other than Jim's suggestion to shoot with a more open stance.  Perhaps you could send us a video so we can see better what's going on?

[bear mike]

Thank you guys for the help I should have been more clear my bow string is catching on my clothing not actually hitting my skin. I took my sweatshirt off and no more issue although I've shot with heavy clothing before and never an issue

[McDave]

Just some general form issues for you to check.  Shoulders should always be down in a neutral position like they are when you are standing without drawing the bow.  Don’t let them ride up toward your neck when you draw the bow. At full draw, your shoulders should be pointed toward the target.  Have someone put an arrow on your shoulder blades at full draw; the arrow should be pointed toward the target. Your string forearm should be lined up with the arrow at full draw.  You should be able to rotate your bow arm elbow at full draw without moving your bow arm; you want your elbow vertical at full draw, so if you bent your bow arm, your hand would come towards your chest and not your face. Hold your bow so the pressure is against the part of your hand between your lifeline and your thumb, not in the middle of your hand.  Keep pulling through release. Your string hand should not fly away from your face on release; it should move straight back.

[slowbowjoe]

I always wear shirts or sweaters that I know don't interfere with the string; I've slimmed down the sleeve on some so they'd be fine for shooting. Don't need an armguard either.

[mgf]

It's winter here and some of my warm clothing gets in the way. I sometimes wear a chest protector to keep baggy clothing out of the way.

"Proper" posture (chest down) helps too.

[Sam McMichael]

I have had a few instances of the string catching my sleeve. Usually, this was because my stance was too closed. I don't wear sleeves that are overly bulky. But now, whatever the sleeve, even short sleeves, I always use an arm guard. It is a good insurance policy.