Grip question

[Razorback01]

I have a question related to my Samick Sage- compared to my compound. I shoot the compound with my bow hand relaxed, and of course can't with the recurve. While shooting the recurve, in my attempt to hold on to the bow, my left hand is trying to squeeze to poop out of it after the shot. I'm just lightly gripping prior to the shot, after the shot I somehow manage to try to squeeze the snot out of the grip. And, I really don't want to change my form- yet.

In the 3 Rivers catalog there are some wraps for the grip area, anyone have good luck with it? Some are tape, others are slip on.

[jerp]

What I first used on my Sage was that stretchy blue grip tape made for tennis raquets. It's cheap and you can find it just about anywhere - Walmart, Academy, etc. Put it on and see it it helps. You can still use a fairly loose grip, just touching your index finger and thumb and you still won't drop it. I was told that letting the bow jump - like it wants to - is important, and it does not effect arrow flight. As you know from shooting compounds, if you grab it too tight you might have torquing issues. It just takes a while to get used to not having the security of a wrist sling.

[Bisch]

I have a question related to my Samick Sage- compared to my compound. I shoot the compound with my bow hand relaxed, and of course can't with the recurve. While shooting the recurve, in my attempt to hold on to the bow, my left hand is trying to squeeze to poop out of it after the shot. I'm just lightly gripping prior to the shot, after the shot I somehow manage to try to squeeze the snot out of the grip. And, I really don't want to change my form- yet.

In the 3 Rivers catalog there are some wraps for the grip area, anyone have good luck with it? Some are tape, others are slip on.

That is not correct! You can shoot the recurve with a relaxed bow arm/hand. In fact, it is imperitave to have a relaxed bow arm and hand to achieve good form with any bow. You can put grip tape or leather on the grip of your bow but that is not going to keep you from exerting too much pressure on the bow on release and throwing your shot off.

Check out this thread, starting with post #19. (it does not matter if it is recurve or longbow)

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257271&highlight=hand+position

Mike Javi Cooper has already answered this question in quite detail.

I grip my recurves and longbows just like I did a compound.....except I have to make my thumb and pointer finger tips touch each other to keep the bow from jumping out of my hand on release.

Bisch

[Razorback01]

Maybe I used the incorrect term, my grip does start relaxed only securing the bow, but after the shot and the recurve jumps before I know it I have a real strong grip. I would think it's happening during the shot causing an issue. Some of the issue is the bows grip is smooth and slick, so I was hoping to add a little friction to assist.

[Medichunter]

Maybe if you keep your index finger and thumb lightly touching you will still feel secure in the grip but still relaxed to not affect the shot.. Just thinking lol

[TxAg]

Maybe I used the incorrect term, my grip does start relaxed only securing the bow, but after the shot and the recurve jumps before I know it I have a real strong grip. I would think it's happening during the shot causing an issue. Some of the issue is the bows grip is smooth and slick, so I was hoping to add a little friction to assist.

In Rod Jenkins's training class, he suggests a smooth grip so that there is less torque. However, he also suggests using a wrist sling if you're having trouble with the bow jumping out of your hand. You can make one yourself with an old shoe lace or rope. You can make a loop to slip your wrist through, and a smaller loop on the other end to slip your thumb through. So....you stick your wrist though, wrap string around grip, then stick your thumb through.

[Buff]

When I'm shooting well, I almost drop my bow at every shot.
You just need to relax.
If it slips out every once in a while it is not going to hurt it to hit the dirt

[gatorgar]

Snatch reflex is what you got. You're holding on to something, then it jumps up, most everyone's instinct tells them "don't let it get away!" It will make no difference if you have a grip or not, as soon as your body feels the jump it will react. You just have to break yourself of that habit. I use a lose enclosed grip on my bows. The bow is secure within my hand, but not so tight that I torque it. Kind of like holding a struggling kitten, just enough to hold him, but not enough to smother him.

Hope this helped.

[Ron Meloni]

Have you tried a wrist sling? Just like a compound bow, the Samick accepts a wrist sling easily. It will allow you to relax and keep the bow from jumping out of your hand.

[Razorback01]

I put some racquet tape on the grip today, a wrist sling a couple days ago. Shooting a few min ago it felt better, I'll give it a couple of days.

[edwardv]

Grip on any bow should be relaxed. A tight grip will effect your release and point of impact because it will make your bow react differently every time. When I shoot my trad bows I have a relaxed grip and I just make sure my index finger and thumb are touching so my bow doesn't fly out of my hand.