Can't do low wrist

[voltradhunter]

I have found that with any bow I pick up, including a straight handled longbow, I am FAR more consistent when shooting a high wrist. My definition of high wrist is that the bones in the back of my hand are virtually parallel with my arm bones (radius/ulna). My current bow of choice is a Toelke whip, which as you probably know has a locator grip and a little bit of a palm swell. I have attempted low wrist position with every recurve and longbow I have owned and never been consistent. I don't want to fix what ain't broke, but I have always wondered if I worked harder at a low wrist I could be more consistent. One other note is that I turn my hand at about 45 degrees away from the handle. Keeps the string from hitting my arm.

1. Could this be simply a structure issue, i.e. the skeletal structure in the wrist?

2. Have I just not worked hard enough at finding the right hand position for a low wrist?

3. Is there any downside of shooting a high wrist from a longbow?

4. Is there a "correct" or at least more common/conventional wrist position that I should strive for?

Thanks,
G

[moebow]

G,  First, what works, works.  That said, look at your hand in the position that you describe.  See how far it is from where the grip sits in the web of your hand to the end of the ulna in your forearm.  For my hand that distance is approaching 3".  Turning your hand as you describe is correct to help with the arm/string clearance, also being sure to have your bow arm elbow joint (pit of the elbow facing the bow string) turned as far to the clockwise position as possible (for a right hander) or counterclockwise for a lefty.  

Do a search for the thread called "grip question"  I posted some pictures of the low wrist grip and it's proper orientation.

Also, you mention that you are not as consistent with the low wrist.  I would ask, how long have you tried it?  If only for one or two practice sessions, you are not giving it or yourself a fair shot at it.  Changing ANY part of your form requires at least 21 straight days of doing it the new way (proven and tested fact) to get it feeling comfortable and to prove whether it helps or impedes your shooting. Everyone's shooting invariably declines during a form change and MUST be expected.  Getting impatient is a self defeating occurance and must be resisted.

Again,  If it (the high wrist) works for you and you are happy with your shooting don't change but  if you are looking to improve, you will find over the long haul that the low wrist is demonstratably stronger and more stable than a high wrist.  The low wrist also places the center of pressure of the bow more directly into your arm bone structure rather than having the center of pressure above the center of the bow's grip.

The low wrist is the position taught to our Olympic and National team shooters who are shooting out to 70 meters ( yes target style).  But since you asked, I'd recommend to any that the low wrist is "better"  and I teach that to all my students BUT there are many shooters out there that can shoot high wrist very well!!!  FWIW

[voltradhunter]

Arne, thanks for the guidance. It is VERY helpful. Have to admit, I have tried a low wrist grip for a couple of sessions at a time only so I have not really given it a fair attempt. I am quite happy with my accuracy but at some point would like to take it to the next level. The pics were very informative. Thanks again.

[voltradhunter]

Update: After a more than a dozen sessions attempting to transition to a low wrist I don't see any progress whatsoever. For whatever reason, I am far more prone to torque when I put more meat on the riser. I guess for me and this Toelke Whip, the high wrist is what I will use. Maybe I will get a straight handled LB and git it another try, but for now, it's a high wrist grip.

Having said that, is it possible to improve the consistency of a high wrist? One thought I had was to use athletic tape on the wrist to help maintain the position I want.

Has anyone tried this?

[reddogge]

In shooting bows and hunting it's best not to rely on crutches like tape for your wrist. You'd be better served by learning to develope a reliable grip without them.

[Javi]

The handle of the bow will tell you whether it wants a high, medium or low wrist... trying to force one or the other onto a piece of wood is fruitless without the use of a file or some Bondo…  :D

[reddogge]

Forget my post. I thought you meant tape on YOUR wrist. Don't do that. Adding tennis tape to the grips is a viable option and I did it to my Hoyt Buffalo to get a little more mass in the grip.

[trad_in_cali]

If it helps, I've shoot my TradTech Titan with a low grip for a year. Then decided to go to a medium, and finally, after anther 8-9 months, 2 weeks ago I went to the high one. I shoot it better than ever. It seems to work for me, though it was a very slow process to figure it out.
Marco

[voltradhunter]

Originally posted by Javi:
The handle of the bow will tell you whether it wants a high, medium or low wrist... trying to force one or the other onto a piece of wood is fruitless without the use of a file or some Bondo…   :D  

I agree with you to an extent, but over and over, with all of the bows I have owned, recurves and longbows, my group size, not the handle of my bow, has told me that for what ever reason a high wrist works better for me.

Now I am thinking that if I find a bow with a grip that "wants" a high wrist, I will have the best of both worlds. This Whip is close.

[Trad-Man]

Although it is rather ugly to look at My Bud Hitt "Black Ace" (72" recurve) has the highest grip I have ever shot...sweet is an understatement.  Regardless of how you pick it up or draw the bow your hand is always in the same place, the same way, on the grip.

High wrist = target style grip.  IMHO it is far easier to shoot, adds at LEAST 1/2" to your draw, is more comfortable, and most importantly in shooting anything...repeatable.

Repeatability = accuracy.

I think a lot of shooters suffer becuase they never quite draw the bow the same way twice.  Close but not quite...