How do you hold yours?

[cliveanne]

I like to see how the others do it, & I was just wandering how you do it.

This is how I do it

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3.../DSCN03081.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3.../DSCN03071.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3.../DSCN03061.jpg

[Wrexham Exile]

i hold my bow with my hand similar to yours but with more hand behind the bow, so less pressure is on the thumb, and a more open grip. but then i shoot recurve so it may be slightly different for you guys.

good pics though. is there any particular reason you hold it like that or is it just what "works"?

Al

[cliveanne]

I also shoot recurve & hold the bow more or less the same, but a little more into the web of the hand. I have a book "Chinese Archery" by Steven Selby (I think). There is a passage in it where an archer under instruction is told to "hold the egg with the bottom three fingers, & to hold the bow with the finger & thumb." It seems that this method develops a natural 45degree angle of the knuckles to the bow, which in turn develops a natural elbow & shoulder alignment. So, I thought I'd give it a whirl & see what it did for me, it felt very strange at first but very comfortable. I do not even use a sling now, as there is no need for one, the index finger, although relaxed, stops the bow from leaving the hand.


PS the pressure is on the base of the thumb.

[Wrexham Exile]

ah i see. thats the way i used to shoot, but as said above i found i was pressurising the thumb too much so changed it slightly, as you said so that its more in the web of the hand. i found this comfy and also gave a strong front arm.

i kept the finger sling for that extra piece of mind though lol.

good discussion

[morphymick]

Bow-hand totally relaxed not gripping anything. (Had to pick up my training bow to confirm before posting)

Hand naturally half closes around the riser at full draw.

Don't think I could shoot without a sling anymore.

Mick

[doubletop]

my bow is more in the web of th hand not gripped tight but held loosely i have no sling and no long rod so bow doesnt tilt forward on shot am looking at getting a sling not sure though finger or wrist advice needed

[cliveanne]

Originally Posted by doubletop

my bow is more in the web of th hand not gripped tight but held loosely i have no sling and no long rod so bow doesnt tilt forward on shot am looking at getting a sling not sure though finger or wrist advice needed

I shot with the wrist for quite a while but there was something not quite right. I was then introduced to the finger-sling (I had only been shooting for about 6 months), this did feel strange, but to give it a fair chance I persevered with it for a while, & on going back to the wrist, I found I did not like it at all.
I have never shot with a bow-sling, so I cannot make any comment about them.

The finger sling I made was totaly adjustable, made from a walking boot lace. The finger loop loop was made by creating a bight in the lace ( it's a knotting term,- make a loop), tie an overhand knot so the loop will fit over the index finger. The thmb loop was made by creating a loop fitted with a spring toggle (off an old coat, washing tablet bag etc.). The distance between the the thumb loop & finger loop, obviously depends on the size of your hand.
To wear & use it: put the thumb loop on, hold the bow, take the finger loop across the palm of the hand (over the bow ), around the ring finger (my personal choice) & loop the index finger, slide the loop down to the base of the index finger. Adjust the thumb loop to fit, so the bow fits snugly in the hand, but not too tight. When the loop needs to be removed, slide the loop up the finger...Job done . I used to keep the thumb loop on until my shooting session had ended.
If you can't be bothered going to all that trouble, you can buy a finger sling from most outlets for a few quid

Hope that helps.

[timppa]

I do it like this:

http://www.kolumbus.fi/taikaverkko/hand/hand_1.jpg

http://www.kolumbus.fi/taikaverkko/hand/hand_2.jpg

http://www.kolumbus.fi/taikaverkko/hand/hand_3.jpg

[Adam]

Clive, it looks to me like you need to get the heel of your hand down and in contact with the grip, and exert an even pressure across the length of the contact area between the base of your thumb and the webbing.

Just my opinion.

Adam

[cliveanne]

Originally Posted by Adam

Clive, it looks to me like you need to get the heel of your hand down and in contact with the grip, and exert an even pressure across the length of the contact area between the base of your thumb and the webbing.

Just my opinion.

Adam

Hi Adam,
I know what you mean, I use that method on my recurve. Strange that the grip has to be modified for the compound...but that's how it is. (For me )
Just in case anyone else makes an observation (But, PLEASE DO) my elbow is at the pre-draw position, My head is just about where it will stay until the end of the shot. Also I'm not using my Cascade. You may have noticed that there is no arrow loaded, (I'm in the wrong direction ) so I have only partial resistance to the mass weight of the bow, therefore, things may not be EXACTLY as they could be. I did not want Sam to be on the wrong side of the shooting line with his camera. His Dad might have had other ideas

timmpa: nice pic's. I get my beginners to get close to what you are doing, they find a big improvement almost straight away