Why does the string hit my arm?

Usually because the forearm is in the string's path at release. Common causes are an elbow that is not rotated out of the way, a grip that brings the hand and arm too far in, or a stance and posture that leave the forearm close to the string. Wear an arm guard, and work on bow arm, stance and grip with a coach.

Should my bow arm be straight or bent?

Extended but not locked is the usual advice. A hyperextended elbow whose inside faces the string tends to sit in its path and can strain the joint, while a strongly bent arm usually takes more effort to hold steady. Many coaches teach a straight but soft arm with the elbow rotated slightly out of the string's way.

Luková ruka

The bow arm is the arm that holds the bow out towards the target. It has to stay steady against the bow's weight through the draw, the aim and the release. Its shoulder, elbow and hand together set how the bow sits and whether the string clears the arm, so a repeatable bow arm is part of a repeatable shot.

Detaily

Many coaches teach a bow arm that is extended towards the target but not locked, with the bow shoulder kept low rather than hunched up towards the ear. In that model, the arm pushes towards the target while the back pulls the string, so the shot is held in balance between the two rather than by the arm alone.

Elbow position decides whether the string clears the arm. Many archers rotate the elbow so its inside turns away from the string's path, which keeps the forearm out of the way at release. A string that slaps the forearm is a common sign that the elbow, the stance or the grip needs work, as well as being painful.

An arm guard protects the forearm and keeps loose clothing out of the string's path. World Archery's target rules allow arm guards in every division. It is a safeguard, though, not a fix: if the string hits the arm regularly, look at the bow arm, stance and grip first.

Through the shot, the bow arm should keep holding its line towards the target as the bow jumps forward, rather than dropping or swinging away. Watching where the bow arm goes at follow-through shows a lot about how the shot was executed.

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Why does the string hit my arm?: Usually because the forearm is in the string's path at release. Common causes are an elbow that is not rotated out of the way, a grip that brings the hand and arm too far in, or a stance and posture that leave the forearm close to the string. Wear an arm guard, and work on bow arm, stance and grip with a coach.
Should my bow arm be straight or bent?: Extended but not locked is the usual advice. A hyperextended elbow whose inside faces the string tends to sit in its path and can strain the joint, while a strongly bent arm usually takes more effort to hold steady. Many coaches teach a straight but soft arm with the elbow rotated slightly out of the string's way.