Archery is a sport that can be challenging to beginners but that gets noticeably easier with practice and with the right gear. One of the pieces of gear that you'll want to buy before you take up this pastime is a chest protector, which is also called a chest guard. This device, which you'll find at most archery shops, goes over your left or your right shoulder and takes just a moment to put on. It's an integral piece of gear because it can provide a number of benefits. Here are three positive things that you'll notice once you start to wear an archery chest protector.

It Prevents Pain

You might not think of archery as being a physically painful sport, but it definitely has the potential to be this way. When you have the bowstring pulled back, it possesses a significant amount of pressure. Upon releasing it to shoot the arrow, the bowstring zips past your shoulder and can frequently make contact with it. Until you've shot an arrow without a chest protector, it's difficult for you to imagine how this can feel. In just a few shots, you can definitely be nursing a chest that is extremely sore. Your protective gear provides a padded layer that keeps the string from bothering you.

It Lessens The Risk Of Clothing Mishaps

An archery chest protector can also be a valuable ally when it comes to helping you avoid clothing mishaps. If your shirt is the least bit loose, it's conceivable that the bowstring can grab it on the way past. This not only could potentially cause damage to your shirt, but it could also leave you in a precarious situation with your clothing tangled around your bow. As soon as you begin to wear a chest protector, such a mishap is highly unlikely to take place.

It May Improve Your Technique

If you don't use an archery chest protector, you may find that you're holding your hand away from your chest so that you don't sting yourself when you release the bowstring. This poor form can lead to poor marksmanship, however, because your hand will lack stability. Knowing that your chest protector will keep your body safe allows you to hold your hand in the proper position, thus encouraging you to use the correct technique. This can make a difference in your accuracy when you're shooting at targets at the local archery range. Visit a local archery shop to learn more about this and other gear.