I've been an archer for a very long time, and usually I'm pleased with the results. Like every one I'm always striving for improvement. Because I never have been able to shoot a straight grip bow well, I restrict myself to bows described as high wrist. Naturally I thought I was shooting with a straight wrist. Wrong. I just finished reading Asbells new book. What a difference.It changes everything. Looks like it adds about one inch to my draw, and of course that adds poundage. I only had one evening to work on this, so I can't say that it works great ot nix.
Any comments on this subject?
LARRY
My opinion is that you can torque a bow up and down. Everyone always talks about left and right. Look at Fred on the cover. That bow can be torqued up and down. Now, picture that bow laying flat on your palm. I don't see many or any Oly guys with a high wrist.
Bowmania
Flat on the palm so the skeleton supports the grip instead of muscles. More repeatable and less fatigue. But, as is the mantra in many circles, do what your want for your own reasons and results. Of course grips can be contoured to support higher wrist configurations will still allowing palm/grip contact.
I shoot with a straight wrist and don't have any problems with it, but that is the way I was taught to hold a bow. If you are close to being over bowed though you will have some struggles. Any changes to your shooting style will take a while to get used to. Try it for a month or so and then I think you will get a better idea on how well you like it.
With that BW a straight wrist is good and proper, with a straight grip allowing the wrist to bend and allow the bow to seat itself against the bone gives a more predictable shot and possibly more forgiving. Adding an inch of draw while it may give one more performance, draw length is not everything, it is not as important as having a forgiving and predictable shot. Whatever, you still need to do what works for you.
There are great archers that use all types of different grips.I had shot high wrist for a couple of years. When I was on, my groups were some of my best. Fatigue would set-in quickly and and my groups would significantly open up. Hi wrist didn't seem like a good fit for me when shooting from an elevated position. Also, the hi wrist shooting sessions weren't nearly as enjoyable for me. I abandoned the high wrist for a grip that focuses on applying pressure in the web between my the thumb and fore finger. Accuracy has improved since I am much more comfortable and practise more. Trad is to be enjoyable.
Use the grip that is best for you.
JMHO.
As long as i can get bone to bone support I'll shoot either but prefer for day in day out shooting a low wrist straight grip
Sure was pleased for the input. After a few sessions I've decided not to alter my mediun wrist approach. Myfirst few groups with straight wrist were excellent however the wrist got tired very quickly, I enjoy shooting too much to limit myselfto twenty arrows or so. However I'll always be looking for ways to improve my form.
Larry
I am also currently reading G. Fred Asbell's new book. I've learned a lot from Asbell's writings over the years and really appreciate his shooting style. But for the life of me I cannot grip a recurve like he does and still shoot with any degree of consistency. The grip on my Blacktail fits my hand perfectly and it feels more natural to me than the way Asbell does it. So even though he has forgotten more about shooting a bow than I will ever know, I am going to stick with the gripping style that I am more comfortable with.
He states right in the book that however you grip the bow make sure it is consistent. That is common sense. I have always liked his writing. I am not done reading the book yet though. Gary