The form of the bow arm is not good on her. It goes like a zig-zag. It should ba as straight as possible. Simple as that. The wrist and elbow are now bent inwards, which results in the forearm being too close to the bowstring. That's why beginners need those bracers on the inside of their bowarm, since they bend their wrist and elbow in a way that exposes the inside of the forearm to the moving string. That's bad technique, and won't be corrected by using a bracer. Instead I embrace not using a bracer and soon an archer learns not to bend the forearm in the way of the string. Pain teaches.
There is very little amount of historical archer's bracers found. If everybody would have used them, there should be way more. Also they are depicted very scarcely on period artwork. They were sometimes used, but weren't widespread by any means. Since most archers knew how to shoot without hitting their forearm with every release.
Keep your bow arm bent! With the elbow away from the string. And even then, the longbow will still graze you at brace height. I believe there have been bracers found on the Mary Rose.
ReplyDeleteWell, yes, your bow arm should be slightly, but not overly, bent, and to the opposite direction than that shown in the picture. That way you won't hit your arm. The wrist should also be properly aligned in order to avoid wrist hits from the bowstring.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that some historical archers have used bracers to avoid injury to their wrists, such as those found from the Mary Rose, but I think they were not the norm.
Thanks for commenting.