Traditional Archery Tips - Bow Hand Position

This is the second traditional archery tips video in the series where I'll be breaking down my shot sequence. Today we're covering the bow hand position, why it's important, some common mistakes, and how to avoid them.
A solid bow hand position is important for consistent and accurate shooting regardless of the type of bow - longbow, recurve bow, or compound. A good bow hand position will create a solid connection from your archery form to the bow itself and transfer the force of the bow directly into the skeletal structure of the arm and to the shoulders.
How we grip the bow is also important. We want to minimize muscle involvement as much as possible to avoid the torque it can introduce.
You might also like the last video covering archery stance and posture. • Recurve Bow shooting S...
Don't forget to subscribe to the channel. We're uploading a new video each week that features one of the following topics: how to shoot a recurve bow, archery, bow hunting, bow building, survival skills, bushcraft, self reliance, primitive skills, primitive bows, hunting, camping, fishing, and a lot more!
Big thanks to our partners who help support these videos!
www.3riversarc...
seekoutside.co...
www.vortexopti...
You can also connect with me on my other media outlets!
Website: www.twistedsta...
Facebook: / clayhayeshunter
Instagram: / clayhayeshunter
Patreon: / clayhayes

[@mommabear5297]

I just bought my bow from you guys at the MI Renaissance festival! Trying to get back into archery for the first time since I was a kid, I used to love it and now want to share it with my son!

[@eotwawki1622]

I should have watched this vid first! Always thought my release was my issue making my arrows fly awkward, played with different spines, lengths, point weights and nothing was working. Watched the form vid, new that would be an issue and the new ones and watched this last. My shots aren't the greatest but my arrows are flying beautifully now. So the only thing I need to change now is EVERYTHING! My draw elbow was too high, but after changing my bow hand, my poa came up, moved my anchor point up a little and now everything is much better. I figured out why it changed so horribly wrong. I was using my index finger to guide the arrow on the shelf at the beginning of the draw so it wouldn't hop off. Don't do that! A deeper anchor , shoot with glove btw, seems to twist the string a little to bring in the arrow. Not sure if that is a good habit yet, but time will tell. Thanks for the help Clay!

[@elvispresley7529]

Nice video. I don't shoot in the modern style like you but i've still gotten some good information from watching your videos.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@yugen]

Great stuff. I seriously got into archery about 10 years ago, took a bow making class from Ted Frye in OR, made around 7 bows, strings, arrows, and read all of the Traditional Bowyer's Bibles multiple times each but it's been around 7 years and i'm now getting back into the hobby. Couple questions: - I believe I recall in one of the TBB someone recommending a lower brace height than is typically recommended. What are the benefits and drawbacks of a lower brace height vs higher? - From reading the TBB volumes, I came to know the bow anatomy as handle, lower limb, upper limb, etc. As such, I thought that the term "riser" only referred to more modern laminated or Olympic style bows. Where does the term "riser" originate, and am I wrong in that recollection? I realize it's fairly ambiguous and you're trying to speak a language that most people can relate to, but would like to hear your thoughts on that particular subject. Wonderful material as always. Your sons are incredibly lucky, there's nothing more that i'd love to do than go hunting with my grandpa (who was my father for all intents and purposes) once again.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I use riser to include the handle, arrow shelf (if there is one) and the fades. A low brace height is easier on the bow in the long term but it can cause tuning issues as well as wrist slap.

[@bowman321123]

I'm enjoying your 'refresher course'. Too often I find myself getting lazy and not paying attention to the basics, this is a good series of reminders.

[@jamesjgill]

Good series. I am going through several of your videos. Do you have anything where you talk about the mental side of hunting, or perhaps target / 3D archery? If so, please take the time to give me a link to it. If not, perhaps this would be a great topic for a future video. Thanks for making great content.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ll cover the mental side of shooting later in this series.

[@deepeegg]

And completely straighten your elbow?

[@OdegardOnline]

What is the average airspeed of a mayfly laden with an arrow as it leaves a bow? Thanks for all the great content.

[@killbill5477]

A European mayfly or a an African mayfly?

[@rattdutta6350]

Make a Bamboo bow. ।. ।। easy style

[@aaronjackson5453]

Love you channel! I always learn a lot. I have a couple questions Can you back an ipe bow with hickory? If so, can i use Titebond III to laminate them together or should I use an epoxy like EA-40? Finally, should the hickory be the same thickness throughout, or like bamboo, thinner near the string nocks and thicker near the handle? Thanks!

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ve never tried it but it should work fine. Most of the hickory lams I’ve seen have been consistent thickness, maybe 3/16” or so.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ve only ever used EA40

[@aaronjackson5453]

Ok. Thank you very much! :)

[@seakadventurer1330]

Thats not even noisy!

[@Nukearchery]

You always make the best traditional archery vids man love the channel

[@clayhayeshunter]

I appreciate that!

[@paulm1548]

I'm really grateful for your videos Clay, they're great resources. Thanks! Maybe I need to give it more time, but I've had a hard time adopting the grip you talk about. I find I'm more apt to anticipate the shot/engage my finger muscles to grab the bow so it doesn't fall out of my hand afterwards. So far, I've found focusing on keeping a light grip (like when shooting a rifle) works better for me. Hoping that changes though.

[@embe9146]

"I'll take that!" Hahaha I love it. Great video.

[@brandiwynter]

Clay, my bow is too heavy for me to hold like you show (Martin Saber TD). I tried a wrist strap but unless I cinch it down, I can't hold the bow like that. Any tips?

[@DanielReyes-hz1qk]

Interesting. I'm left handed and don't have that pad of fat or muscle at the base of my right thumb, so I can't hold a bow like that, it's uncomfortable and unstable. Explains some of the issues I've been having 😂.

[@AchakMachk]

Tried holding the bow this way and my grip became so much more stable and my groupings much tighter. Great advice!

[@jamesbaldwin9969]

I've known about you for a while. I did hear your name on Joe Rogan. He had Aron Snyder on. It's episode 1499.

[@williambeatty2675]

Actually My shoots really need help but it up to me to make me a better person.

[@jeremysaunders9916]

Hi Clay, not a bow hunter, can't in the UK but really enjoy your teaching. I am not a member of a club, not a club person. Only reasently got into traditional bow and just wanted you to know that I find your videos invaluable especially these on form. Many thanks Jez.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 🙏

[@diy-hyrum9842]

See, this is stuff that no one really shares info on. Super helpful for me as a new bowyer/archer.

[@JohnJohnson-zz8re]

I shoot a Bear Supermag 48 , 50# purchased from 3R Archery. Wish I could hold full draw like you did at the end of your vid. I'm lucky to anchor, quick aim, and release! Great info, thanks!

[@caseysmith544]

I have a descent hand position where I have the fingers just naturally go to slanted on the front of grip for the bow that in turn keeps most non center shooting bows at that slight slant the type of bow I am using needs but using all fingers but not tight griping the bow. I have done this since about age 12 after shooting for two years with a friend all his and his dads used bows they got at a few Estate sales where the recurve/flat Bows were not selling for a whole lot due to being one or more: all fiberglass, kids models, or brands that were mass produced. He had the 1-2 year of Root/Shakespeare dual labeled bows he had/one strict Shakespeare bow model, the all fiberglass models/few kids models in there too, and last the kids bows that were both Fiberglass compound with really old tech or the low pound recurves he had from the fiberglass sale along with the Komet/Comet by Ben Person.

[@markinaction1]

This eats my shot up. My entire bow arm is always out of line. Shoulder surgery makes it difficult but I am not quitting!

[@mikeewing6035]

Your observation is very true about applying force through the base of your thumb having the extra benefit of increasing clearance between the string and the forearm.

[@armaximus]

These videos have helped my shooting so much. The devil is in the small details. About to start my 3rd day with a 35 lbs sage recurve. The diy video on a leather finger tab was a saving grace for the fingers. It kept me going for hours.

[@Lorenzo-vb1so]

Always helpful to watch these videos

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like them!

[@DavidTaylor-qx9ii]

Yet another GREAT video!! RHANK YOU for sharing SIMPLE but IMPORTANT tips and pointers!! Looking forward to the next in the series!! 👍🏹

[@lindasischo224]

Please remember though women's arm and elbow are articulated a bit different than a mans.

[@slimeboogercatfishcrew4951]

Love your videos man. I've been shooting bows my whole life and your videos are still helpfull toba guy like me and I appreciate you putting them out there to help people with the best sport in the world. I've got a question tho. Is there a reason one of your fletches is a bit shorter than the rest? I'm just curios lol

[@Eric-gi9kg]

This "grip" is how I was taught, though using a compound...makes a World of difference. So far everything that has been shown (up to this point), I also do with my compound. Looking forward to testing this out.

[@incorporeal3793]

That bow ain't noisy. My £60 Amazon bow is what you would call noisy! 🙉😬

[@ronaldgoodrich5460]

You also won't string slap your arm.

[@americanphoenix2617]

Love the videos on form. Thank you.

[@charleyharlan979]

That may fly was looking for a thrill ride, and you should have obliged her, 186ft/sec = happy bug.. #TradinducedG's

[@clayhayeshunter]

😆didn’t think of it that way!

[@johanrautenbach6074]

Great tips, always practical and hunting related

[@pauloduarte3095]

Thank you for all the information you have provided, as a newby to archery and being really obsessed for traditional archery, i find in your channel an amazing font of knowledge and information. Without a doubt the best archery channel in the KZbin. Keep up the amazing work brother

[@clayhayeshunter]

Very welcome

[@brianc6739]

That’s a beautiful longbow man

[@asse1112]

Thanks for the tips Clay. Could you make a video on bow shoulder pain, how you can get it, prevent it, and maybe repair it?? I tore my bow shoulder up last year from shooting too much and possibly having bad form.

[@MrRourk]

Check out Gary Chynne.

[@Primitive-Hunter]

Keep the videos coming.

[@MayhemMaker007]

Great video, great tips!

[@ThumbsMcThumb]

What is your opinion on the fixed crawl?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Works great so long as the bow is tillered and set up for it.

[@dannybyrdjr919]

Hey clay great videos! I Got a question. I been shooting instinctive for a while and I shoot split finger. I tried using a elevated rest and For some reason I shoot high. Is this normal and how do I fix it? Thanks and keep up the good work

[@clayhayeshunter]

Not sure, I’ve never used an elevated rest.

[@dannybyrdjr919]

@@clayhayeshunter k thanks

[@Marmocet]

Have you ever tried shooting with a thumb draw?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Only a few times.

[@williamstewart8449]

No way I can anchor that long. Maybe 2 or 3 seconds.

[@Flexhunter308]

He anchored for ages aye

[@godzillaburger9690]

This helped me SOOOO much! THANKS!!!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad it helped

[@bogenstark_kai8461]

That us a gorgeous bow man! Love it. Why is the lead feather of your arrow cut that way?

[@clayhayeshunter]

It’s just a damaged fletch.

[@bogenstark_kai8461]

@@clayhayeshunter thought you might have some great reason for it, because I liked the look and could use it for myself 😉😉

[@clayhayeshunter]

Nope, I’m just too lazy to fix it😆

[@bogenstark_kai8461]

@@clayhayeshunter you don't seem like the lazy type! But I'll believe you! Found your channel recently, because I try getting back into archery. It's really helpful, thx!

[@kickejohansson1]

Can't wait until next video! Love how all good archery explains quite easy how they are shooting, good job! To explain on e thing easy you have to k ow your stuff!

[@clayhayeshunter]

I'm glad you're enjoying them.

[@paulm1548]

👍 And be a good teacher! Being an expert doesn't necessarily mean you are good at explaining things to non-experts.

[@kickejohansson1]

@@paulm1548 yep, I think to being able to explain something in a easy way, you have to be very good at what you do..

[@romulomesones362]

Habla menos y practica mas

[@ElizaberthUndEugen]

Loud bow? I am always impressed how muffled it is.