Post by smj on Jul 3, 2006 9:16:48 GMT -5
Somewhere along the line I have seen a couple of posting about shooters getting numb fingers after taking a few shots... Ever have that? I used to get it every time I shot traditional! I went to a release for shooting compounds because of a numb index finger...
OK - the compound was short axle to axle and put a whole lot of pinch on my finger that resulted in nerve damage. (31+ inch draw length.) How do you tell, true nerve damage takes a long time to heal back up, like months once it gets bad. For traditional, I used to get the same issue but not as bad because the recurve was longer nock to nock than the compound was - so there was less pressure on the finger, less damage. I went to longbows, 68 inches nock to nock. I changed my hold to three fingers under the arrow. This was better still! But my arrows flew like they'd had to many beers! So I went back to one finger over, two below. However, the tips of my fingers started getting numb and would swell up after even 50 rounds or so. Back to my release? NO! What I found was a form issue. I had started holding with just the tips of my fingers, trying for a more smooth release. The tips of my fingers were not happy with this development. Result, I went back to taking a deeper hold on the string with my fingers. Last night, for example, I shot about 120 rounds with the longbow... No swelling, not numb. I use a tab or a glove. I think the tab protects the fingers better and is worth adding in to the change list as well.
So if you are shooting fingers, and getting some swelling or numbness -
1 - Try shooting 3 fingers under the arrow. You may or may not be able to find arrows that shoot well with this change up. Typically limb lengths are changed a bit to accomodate either style. Some bows shoot both ways just fine.
2 - If the string pinches your finger without mercy between the string and arrow nock, you need to consider a longer bow to reduce this pinch, or shoot a release.
3 - You might try a thick tab rather than a thin glove. Not all tabs are equal, I like one with thick leather and a hair inside surface.
4- If you have done all of the above and still see swelling and numbness in your finger tips - try taking a deeper bite on the string when you draw and hold. Once you get used to it, you will find that you can shoot just as smooth even though taking a deeper hold on the string. I now hold inside the last knuckle on all three fingers - trying to stay off of the joint, others have said be right on the joint... My joints are old and I don't want to harass them!
Expect your shooting to be way messed up for a while as you get used to the modifications in shooting form! Give it a couple weeks, and you should be shooting better than ever - without the numb fingers, once they heal up!
OK - the compound was short axle to axle and put a whole lot of pinch on my finger that resulted in nerve damage. (31+ inch draw length.) How do you tell, true nerve damage takes a long time to heal back up, like months once it gets bad. For traditional, I used to get the same issue but not as bad because the recurve was longer nock to nock than the compound was - so there was less pressure on the finger, less damage. I went to longbows, 68 inches nock to nock. I changed my hold to three fingers under the arrow. This was better still! But my arrows flew like they'd had to many beers! So I went back to one finger over, two below. However, the tips of my fingers started getting numb and would swell up after even 50 rounds or so. Back to my release? NO! What I found was a form issue. I had started holding with just the tips of my fingers, trying for a more smooth release. The tips of my fingers were not happy with this development. Result, I went back to taking a deeper hold on the string with my fingers. Last night, for example, I shot about 120 rounds with the longbow... No swelling, not numb. I use a tab or a glove. I think the tab protects the fingers better and is worth adding in to the change list as well.
So if you are shooting fingers, and getting some swelling or numbness -
1 - Try shooting 3 fingers under the arrow. You may or may not be able to find arrows that shoot well with this change up. Typically limb lengths are changed a bit to accomodate either style. Some bows shoot both ways just fine.
2 - If the string pinches your finger without mercy between the string and arrow nock, you need to consider a longer bow to reduce this pinch, or shoot a release.
3 - You might try a thick tab rather than a thin glove. Not all tabs are equal, I like one with thick leather and a hair inside surface.
4- If you have done all of the above and still see swelling and numbness in your finger tips - try taking a deeper bite on the string when you draw and hold. Once you get used to it, you will find that you can shoot just as smooth even though taking a deeper hold on the string. I now hold inside the last knuckle on all three fingers - trying to stay off of the joint, others have said be right on the joint... My joints are old and I don't want to harass them!
Expect your shooting to be way messed up for a while as you get used to the modifications in shooting form! Give it a couple weeks, and you should be shooting better than ever - without the numb fingers, once they heal up!
