TEll me about your draw hand!!!!!!!!

[Bullfrog 1]

I have really been trying to keep my draw hand REALLY relaxed during the shot. Any hints?  Thanks.   BILL

[Terry Green]

Yeah.....a hook on the string and not on the pads...

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

I have recently gone to a much deeper hook, only the first knuckle but I "hook" the fingers around the string so they are pointing more back towards me.  I don't relly think my hand is relaxed at all as I keep my thunk is position to become my second anchor point.  I still haven't figured out how to not get my ring finger caloused, though at times I think I do.  When it works it works well.  When it doesn't it's usually a focus issue, not my string hand.

[ncsaknech1ydh]

Hi BullFrog: I swiched to a deep hook (second finger joint) and a Cavalier tab about 7 months ago, the tab took about a month to get used to and now I am more comfortable and relaxed with my hand then I have ever been. That particular tab has an aluminum piece the string lays up against to insure perfect sting alignment on every shot. I think most people who try the Cavalier don't give it enough time in my opinion as it really has a different feel. I to, just like Northwest_Bowhunter have my draw hand fingers pointed back at me. DK.

[McDave]

In order for me to keep my string hand relaxed, it has to start relaxed and stay relaxed all during the draw.  It doesn't work for me to haul back on the string and then try to relax my string hand after I come to full draw.  So I start my draw with a very light touch of my fingers on the string, and feel my hand stretch out as I apply tension to the string.  I try to get the feeling of starting my draw with the muscle right behind my shoulder blade, so that my forearm and string hand are just links in the chain, reacting to the force of my back muscles but not adding any force of their own to the draw.

[Joshua Lee]

I just switched to a deeper hook a few days ago.  So far, in my infancy, I have noticed that when I lose focus I miss by more and when I'm focused I miss by less (compared to off the pads)         But so far I'm a fan of the deeper hook like the pro's before me have described (first knuckle).

[eric-thor]

i use the first joint deep hook as well .. as far as relaxed hand i make sure my forearm and wrist are relaxed as much as to hold the hook and thats it. im told as im releaseing the string the arrow creeps forward from my fingers relaxing and my follow through brings it back and the arrow's gone with my form conclusion.

[term]

I have shot for years just forward of the first joint "just on the pad" I know Its not right. And I can change but is it to late this year to rock the boat? Should I start anew after Jan? Thanks TERM

[RocketDog]

You should be able to modify your string hold and adjust to it with a reasonable amount of practice.  If you move your anchor at all you might need a lot more work.

Depending on your draw weight, you may not want to be fully relaxed.  I have seen guys with moderate weight bows (50 -65#) relax their wrist to the point they actually strain the tendons and ligaments that are doing the actual holding.