Question about shoulder alignment

[JFPJR]

I have been reading some threads about shooting. I am about to lay down the ugly wheeled thing for good and use only trad/primitive. My question is this: How can you guys line up your feet and shoulders with the target line and not rip skin off your forearm? Is it acceptable for the string to slap your arm before the arrow leaves its nocking point? I have always shot with an open stance to create more of an angle between my "closest to the target shoulder" and the target line. I have done this to create room for the string as well as additional clothing I wear in cold weather. It seems to work well with the wheeled things, yet I am worried about my consistency with the bent stick.

I am sure the armguard will come into the discussion at some point. I wear one mostly to keep loose clothing close to my arm and out of the way. If, however, the string ever hit the guard, I always assumed I did something wrong.

Would someone steer me right?
Thanks in advance.
BTW, I am a noobie here. Betcha couldn't guess.

[Jacko]

JFPJR can I recomend that you get hold of the DVD Masters of the Barebow and while you are at it get John Schulz's book Hitting Em Like Howard Hill and a little gem called Hit the Mark by Paul Comstock . Enough info there to make your head spin on various techniques to adapt to suit yourself .
   I acheived clearance for my bowarm by not locking it out straight and ridgid [musles tire quickly this way ] and shooting . I shoot with my bowarms elbow slightly crooked and my head tilted slightly over the arrow and the bow canted .I do not deliberatly bend my elbow but rely on my skeletons natural alignment.
   To acheive this stand side on and extend your arm and point at a distant object with your hand in a relaxed bow grip position. For me I notice that with my arm extended my elbow has a slight bend held in place by the natural alignment of my skeleton . This method is versatile enough for it to work with a side on or angled stance. Play with this might be something there for you. regards Jacko

[JC]

This thread has some good pics that help illustrate proper alignment:   Terry\\'s form clock

[Terry Green]

There's a lot of info in this forum if you take the time to look around, and there's some detail on this subject on 'The Bowhunters of Trad Gang' DVD that going to be released next week.