High Wrist Grip: Technique, Benefits & Bow Types

A high wrist grip is a bow hand position in which the wrist bends as little as possible, placing pressure high on the hand—specifically on the fleshy thumb pad—rather than at the base of the palm. It sits at one end of the bow grip spectrum, which ranges from low (greatest wrist bend) through medium to high (least wrist bend).

How a High Wrist Grip Works

To form the position, relax your bow hand and place it on the grip so the web between your thumb and index finger seats into the throat—the deepest part of the grip. Rotate your knuckles outward roughly 25–45 degrees and allow pressure to settle into the thumb pad. Most of the contact should fall midway between the wrist crease and the V formed by the thumb and forefinger. Once set, relax the remaining fingers so they rest naturally rather than wrapping the riser. For the string, the archer positions it between the first and second finger joints—closer to the fingertips—and extends the thumb slightly, with its base pressing lightly against the string.

Why Archers Use a High Wrist Grip

The primary goal of a high wrist grip is a more relaxed hand at full draw, which supports three measurable outcomes:

• Improved accuracy: Less gripping pressure means less tension and torque transferred to the string at release, keeping the arrow on its intended path.
• Reduced tension: Avoiding a tight hold lowers tension across the fingers, wrist, and forearm, making it easier to maintain proper form through the shot cycle.
• Cleaner arrow flight: By reducing the tendency to twist or torque the string, the high grip style helps the arrow leave the bow with minimal deviation—an advantage that compounds over longer distances.

Which Bow Types Use a High Wrist Grip

A high wrist grip is most commonly associated with recurve and traditional archery. Olympic recurve archers, for example, typically do not grip the riser at all—they use a finger sling and rely on forward pressure from the thumb pad. Most modern compound bows, by contrast, are designed around a low wrist position, which transfers force more directly through the carpus bones into the forearm. Archers switching between bow types should note that a high wrist position can make draw length feel slightly shorter, which may require a technique adjustment period. The style also requires a degree of forearm strength to keep the hand flat and consistent.

For a broader look at how wrist angle fits into overall technique, see our guide to archery grip types, styles, and technique.