Somebody declared a specific type of grip the correct one in a different thread: See Greg / MO's post. I was taught to shoot with a high wrist versus the low wrist that he says is the proper way to grip a bow. I did some looking and found this site: http://bowsite.com/bowsite/features/practical_bowhunter/grip/index.htm. Nothing on it leads me to believe that I should move to a different type of grip save one point, that it could possibly be easier to maintain the same contact and thereby improve consistency. I don't know if I've ever had that much of a problem with consistency in grip though. Anybody have any more information that could help sway me in a different direction?
Most professional archers and/or coaches (e.g., Larry Wise, et al) will tell you a low-wrist grip is the preferred method as it removes more of the "muscle memory" out of the equation. The key to archery is consistency, and the most reliable method is to remove as many variables as you can from the equation. With the low-wrist grip I described (and model in my picture), what you end up getting is bone-on-bone contact. For lack of a better explanation, my "grip" isn't a grip at all; it's merely an extension of my bow arm and is in place to keep the bow from flying back and hammering me in the face when I come to full draw. World champion archer Michael Braden explains it this way: "Lean on a fencepost or doorjam sometime... Bend your elbow or raise your wrist so that you incorporate muscles into holding your weight up. Now, straighten your arm so that there's bone-on-bone contact, and lower your wrist so that it's your radius bone absorbing your weight --NOT the muscles in your hand. Which can you maintain longer? Which would ultimately offer more consistency?" CAN you shoot adequately with a high wrist? Sure you can... and I myself did it for years, killing dozens of big-game animals before I started pursuing more wisdom from world-class archers. And... there's probably even some world-class archers who do it... do anything long enough with enough repitition, and you'll get good at it. But I think it's safe to say that MOST world-class archers advocate the grip I described. I'd welcome any other input from other members.
Sorry i didnt mean to cause controversy. But i swithed to the grip greg has reffered to years ago and dramatically improved my groups. Now that being said no one shoots groups at 1 deer and your grip may very just like a pitchers arm movement. I think the important thing is that you are consistant and comfortable.
Looks like I have been doing it right all along. well, maybe not at first but, when I started shooting opened handed, my wrist kind of did this automatically.
Greg is right, I'm just asking questions and trying to learn. I hadn't read anything that had swayed me to move and that's why I asked for more information about "grip." I think I'll at least give the low wrist a try now.
Aweseome, I like it. I run into an issue with my current bow because it is old enough where it has a contoured grip, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to until I get my new bow in a couple months. And thanks for introducing me to bowtube!
True to both of those (I've conversed with him as well...) but I didn't think I need mention ALL his attributes in order to give credit to him. Perhaps your post would have been better as thus: Nice explanation Greg. AND Michael Braden is also a high level coach and great guy. :D
I started shooting last october is and to be honest my wrist kind of just did this on its own. I am not very flexible so when i learned i had to keep my hand open to prevent toque my hand just fell this way. I guess i am lucky in that i only have to make minor adjustments to get my grip perfect i am going to do it.
I use a very similar Grip to what Greg describes, with only a slight variation. I do not rotate my wrist and keep it straight and in line with the forearm bones. I have found that it reduces tension and muscle strain in my support arm.
