Good god! Yup, you really want to ensure that your foot hold on that stirrup is sound and true! Shot this new Xbow close to 100 times now (getting better each time) Now, free hand shots between 25 and 30 yards are a given harvest (which is a HUGE improvement since I've moved off of shooting from the rest).
HOWEVER!!!! I was getting so excited because since I've move off the table I have only recently (yesterday) been able to drill the vitals at that modest range (for now). In that excitement I found myself RUSHING to get it loaded for the next shot. Well, foot slipped off in my haste and punched the hell out of what I have come to find out is my Xiphoid Process and accompanying Sternocostal Triangle. Guys, it felt like the lights were going out. Now I'm just sore as heck there, and it looks like I'll be real tender-like there for some time. Point is, for beginners like me, a firm foot hold on that Stirrup and good boot tred is pretty darn important. Be very deliberate in your mechanics when cocking the bow. They are not kidding when they tell us that this matters!!!
I had a release for one of my verticals, a four finger number with adjustable tension screw, I punched myself in the mouth twice at 72# draw! It still hurts when I think about it. Sounds like you got a degree from the school of hard knocks too!
Glad you're OK!
It’s not the way you rock, it’s the way that you roll!
When I was taught to load a crossbow, this was well back before Excalibur was made, they taught you to stand to the side of the stock just for that reason. If your foot slips, the stock comes up the side of your body, not into your rib cage. Back then the sturrips were not as large as they are today. I have heard of people breaking ribs, collapsing lungs and other things just because their foot slipped.
Yes it is very important to make sure your foot is in and secured before cocking.
Tom
Tom
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I cock my Equinox with the CB on the outside of my right leg with my right foot in the stirrup. I try & do the same thing each time and also with the un-cock process. One time while in the tree stand I forgot to remove the BH on the un-cock process and lucky for me my son was close by and he climbed up and helped me remove the arrow before the BH went through my boot. Get in a rhythm and try and do the same thing each and every time.
THAT SH!@ HURTS! . . .make sure you're Xiphoid Process aint broke loose and floating round' . . . pending on yer age it ain't cartilage anymore, its sharp bone!
You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.-Blondie,
The good, the bad, the ugly
xcaliber wrote:I had a release for one of my verticals, a four finger number with adjustable tension screw, I punched myself in the mouth twice at 72# draw! It still hurts when I think about it. Sounds like you got a degree from the school of hard knocks too!
Glad you're OK!
That makes me feel better, thanks! It hurts as much as it humbles... Not a totally bad thing!
Last edited by mike w on Sun Jun 01, 2014 3:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
. . .make sure you're Xiphoid Process aint broke loose and floating round' . . . pending on yer age it ain't cartilage anymore, its sharp bone
I think it's ok cause I've bee kind of messaging it in that area slightly to keep track of it all. Feels real tender but in tact. Thanks for the heads up though for sure, I'll keep an extra bit of attention to it now. I think my ego got just as bruised as my chest! 
Do NOT wear sandals when you cock your crossbow!