A Little Help Please - Pain

[BobCo 1965]

I've moved from a Bateman Glove with inserts to a Bateman Cordovan Tab with a Backing (Bubba Stayput) and have been getting a pain on my ring finger. It isn't in a place which would indicate a high elbow (which I am confident I do not have, I am pretty much directly behind the arrow, elbow is 9:00 if looking at Terry's diagram). I have a couple of theories, but would like to hear from some who may have experienced the same thing. Below is a picture of the painful callus that has developed. BTW, I shoot split fingers am RH and anchor at the corner of mouth with middle finger.

 

[hera]

nice pic . LOL
I have same problem.I shoot 3 under.
I think my form are not too bad.  

 

[SHOOTO8S]

Guy's, both those sore spots indicate some "scrubbing" of the fingers at release...Bob's may come from the index finger opening a tad slower than the other..with Hera's 3rd finger getting burning by the string, because its didn;t clear quick enough. Both are primarly caused by un-needed tension in the string hand, or a slight collapse at release.

Try using ONLY enough tension to keep the hook formed and while increasing back tension, relax ONLY the back of the hand.

[Three Arrows]

I have a blackened bruise on my ring finger too.  I went to the Big Shot and don't feel anymore pain.  62 to 72# bows.

[hera]

Thank you Rod.

I'm amazing to find your bow case are floatable.

[SHOOTO8S]

Three...no doubt a thicker glove will lessen the soreness, but often masks the underlying problem.

 hera, I've flipped a canoe or two while hunting, and made sure my case would float for guys using any watercraft for hunting....plus the Etafoam makes excellant padding!

[Three Arrows]

That's what it is Rod!  I eased up on the Super Claw and got a cleaner release.

[cvarcher]

Ha I had blood blisters in those same spots when I was 17 years old and strong as an ox. Get yourself a shultz traditional glove with no ends.Make those stalls 1 3/8" long for each finger.Tell Deana I sent ya. Youll be in heaven.Heck with tabs!

[Fritz]

I have the exact same problem (3-under).  Thanks for the explanation Rod.

[Shakes.602]

Hey, that Indoor Archery Lane looks a Lot Like Mine Does!!     Hey, anytime, anywhere! When that Urge to Shoot Bites Ya    , Your All Set!!  

[BobCo 1965]

Originally posted by SHOOTO8S:
Bob's may come from the index finger opening a tad slower than the other.. Both are primarly caused by un-needed tension in the string hand, or a slight collapse at release.

Try using ONLY enough tension to keep the hook formed and while increasing back tension, relax ONLY the back of the hand.

Not to sound stupid, but is the index finger opening slower then the others also a problem created by too much tension? I've rested the finger for a while and got the callus removed and resumed with the suggestions made. It looks like now the callus and pain has come back, however if looking at the orignal picture, the callus has moved slightly to the right.

[Orion]

Yep.  Happens to me too, for exactly the reasons Rod mentions.  I've been using a big shot glove for several years now.  Does lessen the soreness, but only good form corrects the problem.

[ISP 5353]

Rod hit the nail on the head.  I have the same problem of my ring finger opening slower and less than  my index and middle.  This is just something I live with that was the result of an injury.  I have found a couple of things that help though.  One is to take a small piece of thin plastic like a soft drink bottle and trim a small piece to fit over the tender area and tape it in place with a band-aid or first aid tape.  The other solution I use if I am going to be shooting a lot, 70-100 arrows, I use the finger stall from and old Hill style glove over my ring finger and then use my tab as normal.  For hunting I don't even notice a few shots rubbing my finger, but for competition or lots of practice I do have to protect it.  Let me know if these work for you.  Good luck.

[BobCo 1965]

Just an update on this. Yea I know, it only took ten months.    

Looks like the problem was caused by taking a semi-deep hook on the ring finger while the middle and index finger were deeped grip. It's been feeling a lot better lately.