Bow arm elbow?

[NockOn]

Correct me if I'm wrong but in MCB James says in one place that the orientation of the bow elbow should be 30 deg and a few pages past that it should be such that if the arm is bent it will move horizontally.

I always thought that it was the later that was correct :-? Which one is best?

[James Park]

NockOn,
My error. I want the bowarm elbow joint to be angled at about 30 degrees to the horizontal (so that if you bend your arm your forearm will be at about 30 degrees to the horizontal). I have fixed the text so that it is clear.
The angle I am after is: if you start with your arm by your side and then raise it without rotating your upper arm.
Typically, compouders who shoot with bent arm have their arm bent in a near vertical plane, which results in a poor orientation of the Humerus.

[NockOn]

I had always heard that it should bend on a horizontal plane. Any ideas why some people might be pushing this? Might it be just for string clearance?

I'm not doubting what your are saying, just trying to understand. That way when I start to coach people I'll know what to answer.

If I may make a constructive criticism on the book. It would be great on the next edition to have the lines in the form pictures numbered or identified with letters. Talking about a blue or red line in a black and white book doesn't make a whole lot of sense :roll: Beside that I love both books and can't seem to be able to put them down. I lent them to my shooting buddy and had to pry them from his hands to get them back :lol:

Cheers,

Claude

[James Park]

Regarding the book: I have made the change. Fair comment. I have also increased the font size.
Regarding elbows: I think it is pushed for string clearance. The orientation I am suggesting is both natural, helps get the shoulder in close to the arrow, and helps get the bowhand position as desired (life line vertical, and pressure on the thumb muscle).

[NockOn]

Great now I'm going to have to untrain my trainned elbow :lol:

Now If I can only get my new sight and scope to arrive in the mail I'll be all set :P

Cheers,

Claude

[A&O]

james,

i have not bought your books..yet.. :)
so a quick query..

what about for recurve..what angle should the bow elbow be at?
i was taught to make it 90 deg to ground since day 1..
and i also find that i can set my shoulder in and relax easier that way..is that different in compound?

Ken