Issues keeping my wrist straight while canted

[David Dumke]

I was shooting at a range today and was doing extremely well at 15 yards. Changing targets every few groups and I was noticing that every once in a while an arrow would fly stray. I immediately became concerned as I have been having this issue now and then the past few days. I guess I didn't notice it as much blank baling.

I slowed down my shooting, keeping my 15 yard distance, and noticed that while canting the bow my wrist would start to become bent reaching full draw. If I don't cant the bow some I get some wicked fore arm slap and I just don't have the funds at the moment to get an arm guard and to be honest don't like the idea of a milk jug strapped to my arm.

My concern isn't with the slapping though, it's with keeping my wrist straight. I've been playing around with grips and even at the range i found one grip that just zipped the arrows dead center where I was shooting. groups so tight I heard the shafts clinking together at shots 2 and 3. (shooting groups of 3 to better analyze my form)

After that my wrist just wouldn't cooperate, I'm not sure if it was fatigue or not because I really hadn't shot all that much today.

Any tips on practicing keeping the wrist straight while canted?

Thanks & off to class I go. Wish me luck on my math test. haha!

[bryan r]

It's awkward at first, and hard to get used to, but have you tried bending at the waist rather than twisting your arm to cant the bow?

[moebow]

David,  Do a search for a thread called "grip question."  I posted a few pictures there of a recommended grip that works with ANY style grip.  It sounds as though you are using a high (straight) wrist -- the is the weakest way to shoot.  As you get tired you cannot maintain the straight wrist and many inconsistencies will show up.  Think about how hard it is to do pushups on your knuckles as opposed  to having your hands flat on the floor.

Also, you should not be hitting your arm with a low wrist if your bow arm elbow is turned all the way to the right (clockwise) (right handed shooter).  Another thread with pictures is "working on keeping the bow elbow out."

[David Dumke]

It dawned on my in class as I was grabbing my soda bottle. I was turning my wrist instead of my arm to can't the bow. Causing the weak wrist and torque. Thank you for the input.

I usually do bend at the waist while shooting but have been practicing shooting in a chair so that almost eliminates that.

Going home to try and figure out if my epiphany is accurate. I got so excited I could hardly concentrate in class Haha.