Does shooting with an open bow hand make much improvement in your groups? I am sure a true death-grip is NOT the answer, but, do you recommend a firmer grasp than "open hand"?
All thoughts and opinions about how to grasp the riser is appreciated. BTW, I am mainly concerned with recurves instead of longbows for now.
Many thanks, Skychief!
When I shot a compound I used an open grip with a wrist strap. Now I have a soft hold on the bow and my heal is down but I think the open grip would be better for me. My bow arm would be straighter and closer to the arrow and I think more consistent. So I would like to hear what others have to say as I was going to ask the same question.
Terry
Try holding your bow as if it was a sparrow that you wanted to hang on to but didn't want to hurt.
Moebow...that's a VERY interesting way to look at it. I don't have a "soft" grip by any means, but my fingers ARE wrapped around the bow completely...but I'm not clutching on for dear life either.
The looser the better, just as long as you are consitent.
My forefinger and thumb touch...but the bow is primarily held there against the web of my hand by the pressure of the bow being drawn.
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Glenn
QuoteOriginally posted by Igor:
My forefinger and thumb touch...but the bow is primarily held there against the web of my hand by the pressure of the bow being drawn.
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Glenn
I do the same. I was griping more, but now I do this. Very similar to my compound grip. I also now tuck in my bottom three fingers and touch the back of them to the grip. This really cut down the bow torque. The problem with wrapping fingers even lose is that you will have a natural tendency to grab the bow. Not every time, but sooner or later you will. This way I can't. I picked that up from MBB3.
I actually use a pretty tight grip at the moment. I seem to be able to have a more consistent hold when I do. I may need to work on it during the off season.
"Soft hands make arrows fly straight". Old Slavic saying.
Depends on the bow for me.
My old longbow I shot with a high wrist and firm grip even though it was a straight gripped bow.
My recurve I shoot with a loose grip.
My Martin venom I shoot with a very firm grip.
My new Howard Hill,,,,I'll work that one out when it get's here.
Several good reasons for not having a death grip, it's so easy to torque the Bow and you can stop pushing into the target and just end up holding the bow on target.
Lose grip helps you find natural centre force of the bodies bone structure and bow, keeps the forces always pushing into the target, the only thing that takes practice with a Longbow is too keep a firm but relaxed grip as not to grab the bow on release.
Recurve with wrist\\finger sling makes life much easier, IFAA Longbow allows slings but I've learnt
to keep a relaxed grip and feel no need for one.
The thing you do not want to do is to change whatever type of grip that you are using during the entire shot sequence including the follow through.
An open hand is ok, however you will have to use a sling as Zeta mentioned. If you do not, the bow will fly out of your hand if you do not change the grip during the sequence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH6FOfCpbEI
This is what happens without a sling, the hold was correct and just Coach Kim checking Archer was holding the right way.
My talks with him regarding longbows I said Longbows don't have the mass or balance of Recurves and it's very difficult to make an open hand work even with a sling, he agreed with me that a light grip on a Longbow was the way to go as long as you dont grab the bow at moment of release.
I've tryed several differant grips! I feel the light touch is the best way to go. I'm with Glen on this one. Thumb and forefinger touch and tuck three in, alot less likely to tourqe. Heel down I tend to shoot high, tight grip I tend to shoot right, loose grip the bow does the work and the arrow goes where I want (which is alway's a good thing) HA! JMHO! Jason
If it is a straight grip longbow and it is the right size for the hand, a little pressure works; for pistoled grips that same amount of force will usually torque the bow a bit.
Most times when I'm not getting 'em (close) to where I want 'em it's one of three things. Poor focus (picking a tiny spot), Poor back tension or Over gripping the bow which causes me to torque n release. Oh yeah, or one of my shooting "buddies" asked if I breathe in or out while I'm drawing.
I have to add that I would have an occasional flyer out of my A&H ACS long bow which has a recurve style girp which I like vs a low wrist grip. Not that I was shooting bad but read this thread got me thinking. Went home at lunch and tried my thumb/index finger grip with the bottom three fingers tucked in. The bow felt very loose in my hand and almost like it was going to fall out, which may be a good thing. My first three shots were like darts! Continued to play with this grip and it sure cleaned up my flyer problem. I will have to shoot some more to become comfortable with it but I may have found a new grip! Thanks!!
Still new and working on form. However, a very relax grip seems to help with my windage training!!!
Pretty firm grip with intentional arm stiffening until arrow hits the target. Seems to work best for me.
I like to touch my finger and thumb with other fingers loose.With Hill straight grip i have to use light grip and have trouble with torque.
loose grip seems to work best for my rc . john
A firm, full-handed grip for me. It's more consistent, quieter-shooting, easier to control the bow in 'odd' shooting situations and actually REDUCES the amount of torque issues I've had (the bow/shelf/sideplate has less jump or twist if is firmly held vs. losely 'balanced'). It promotes a push-pull motion, works for any bow (longbow or recurve) and it enhances string clearance since the arm is bent more than with a straight wrist 'gentle' hold. Plus, no armguard is needed except when wearing heavy clothes.
I use a firmer grip but not white knuckles. I find it helps me with follow through and accuracy. I will try the fingers tucked under though. I only started shooting trad in 07 so lots to learn.
I have more of a firm grip, but never really use the pinky or ring finger in my grip.
I pull back into the web of my hand and as I come to anchor I use just enough index and middle finger pressure to keep the bow from lurching out of my hand.
Now my long bow is a different animal. It requires a little more control.
Having a quiver mounted on the bow changes my grip a bit. I use a solid grip with as little tension as possible.
QuoteOriginally posted by xtrema312:
QuoteOriginally posted by Igor:
My forefinger and thumb touch...but the bow is primarily held there against the web of my hand by the pressure of the bow being drawn.
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Glenn
I do the same. I was griping more, but now I do this. I also now tuck in my bottom three fingers and touch the back of them to the grip. This really cut down the bow torque. [/b]
I have started to shoot this way as well with my bottom 3 fingers tucked in and it has helped me alot!
I have a light grip on both lb and recurve. The harder I grip the more torque I had.
When I started archery 1 year ago with Olympic style I shot open grip with sling. My Hoyt recurve riser is heavy and with stablizer so open grip was never an issue. After I found there are more fun shooting trad, I switched to longbow. The longbow is much lighter in mass and open grip will let the bow torque if the release is not clean. Depending on how good my releases are on the day, I will grip the bow firm accordingly.
The other thing I noticed is recurve grip are usually higher. I have to conciously "heel" my palm to the longbow grip instead of "choking the throat". If I heel the grip, I usually don't need to grip the bow dead.
For recurves there seem to be pretty consistent guidance. I previously had too tight of a grip & did note torque. Then I just stared at Asbell's picture on the Instinctive Shooting book until looping my forefinger around the grip, meeting my thumb, became second nature. Allows my wrist to better align w/the arrow & the shot is more consistent. Don't know how the "curling the bottom 3 fingers" works, tho. I've tried that & must be doing something wrong - seems to put too much pressure on the fingers. Loose grip is my much preferred approach. Great topic. Thanks.
I like a loose grip, everytime I grip firmly I torque the bow and start going left/right.
Depends on the bow
My recurve I shoot with fingers just touching the front of the bow
On my long bow I grip it firm but no death grip
Long bow rist down .recurve high rist high
I went to a much firmer grip on my bows as I get more control on where I am pointing the bow and a much more consistant follow through on my release...but thats just works for me. There is no one perfect way to shoot you just have to find what works for you.