Community hub
Recent from talks
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Bow draw
A bow draw in archery is the method or technique of pulling back the bowstring to store energy for the bow to shoot an arrow. The most common method[citation needed] in modern target archery is the Mediterranean draw, which has long been the usual method in European archery. Other methods include the pinch draw and the Mongolian or "thumb" draw. In traditional archery practice outside Western Europe the variations of the thumb draw are by far the most dominant draw types, with the Mediterranean draw restricted to the Olympic style of target archery.
The pinch draw squeezes the end of the arrow between the thumb and index finger. Most people use this draw naturally when they first start shooting. This is often called the "primary draw/release"; the advantage of this draw is that the release is very clean; when the pull reaches a certain point, friction can no longer hold the arrow and it flies free. However, this release prevents the drawing of a stiff bow unless the archer possesses enormous strength in the fingers. It is now of historical interest, but was widespread in traditional archery in the Americas and is seen (with the Mediterranean draw) in the earlier Assyrian reliefs of Ashurnasirpal II. Among Greek archers it was probably the most common draw until the end of the Classical period.
In the "secondary release", the forefinger and thumb pinch the arrow end as in the primary release. Additionally, the middle and ring fingers are used to hold the string; in this form it may be used by Scythian archers depicted on Greek black-figure pottery, and by an Amazon depicted about 450–400 BCE.
This is further developed in the "tertiary release"; the forefinger not only presses on the arrow end, but also grasps the string. A Scythian is depicted using this draw about 500–450 BCE. These variants were also used in the Americas, appear on the reliefs of Sennacherib, and have been described from Thailand and the Andaman Islands.
This is accomplished by the forefinger on the string above the arrow, and the middle and ring finger on the string below the arrow. The arrow is normally placed on the left side of the bow for right handed archers and on the right side for left handed archers. The modern thought on the draw is to keep effort in the hand at a minimum. The only work the hand has to do is the effort required to keep the bowstring on the fingers. The wrist is to be either straight or flexed away from the archer. This allows for the least tension in the hand, and thus a faster relaxation of the hand at release. This generally results in a more accurate and consistent shot. The nock of the arrow is held on the bowstring between the forefinger and middle finger to help stabilize the arrow before loosing.
The Mediterranean draw and its variants are the main traditional form in Europe; it is also native to the Middle East, appearing on Assyrian carvings at all periods. The Hadza, who do not use quivers, may hold other arrows with the free thumb and little finger.
There are variations of this that include the use of only two fingers, sometimes referred to as being the "Flemish" release. This may allow for a cleaner release. However, more pressure is put on the two fingers, resulting in more strain. Currently, this draw method is little used in Western archery but widespread in Eastern European archery where it is often referred to as the "Hungarian draw". It is common in Hungarian archery, and is taught by several prominent modern teachers of traditional horse and foot archery techniques. The two-finger release can be used on either side of the bow, but is primarily used with a left hand side nocking position bow for mounted and foot use.
The two-finger draw in its Hungarian form can be found in historical records into antiquity amongst Scythian archery and through into the Middle Ages in eastern European manuscripts and art.
Hub AI
Bow draw AI simulator
(@Bow draw_simulator)
Bow draw
A bow draw in archery is the method or technique of pulling back the bowstring to store energy for the bow to shoot an arrow. The most common method[citation needed] in modern target archery is the Mediterranean draw, which has long been the usual method in European archery. Other methods include the pinch draw and the Mongolian or "thumb" draw. In traditional archery practice outside Western Europe the variations of the thumb draw are by far the most dominant draw types, with the Mediterranean draw restricted to the Olympic style of target archery.
The pinch draw squeezes the end of the arrow between the thumb and index finger. Most people use this draw naturally when they first start shooting. This is often called the "primary draw/release"; the advantage of this draw is that the release is very clean; when the pull reaches a certain point, friction can no longer hold the arrow and it flies free. However, this release prevents the drawing of a stiff bow unless the archer possesses enormous strength in the fingers. It is now of historical interest, but was widespread in traditional archery in the Americas and is seen (with the Mediterranean draw) in the earlier Assyrian reliefs of Ashurnasirpal II. Among Greek archers it was probably the most common draw until the end of the Classical period.
In the "secondary release", the forefinger and thumb pinch the arrow end as in the primary release. Additionally, the middle and ring fingers are used to hold the string; in this form it may be used by Scythian archers depicted on Greek black-figure pottery, and by an Amazon depicted about 450–400 BCE.
This is further developed in the "tertiary release"; the forefinger not only presses on the arrow end, but also grasps the string. A Scythian is depicted using this draw about 500–450 BCE. These variants were also used in the Americas, appear on the reliefs of Sennacherib, and have been described from Thailand and the Andaman Islands.
This is accomplished by the forefinger on the string above the arrow, and the middle and ring finger on the string below the arrow. The arrow is normally placed on the left side of the bow for right handed archers and on the right side for left handed archers. The modern thought on the draw is to keep effort in the hand at a minimum. The only work the hand has to do is the effort required to keep the bowstring on the fingers. The wrist is to be either straight or flexed away from the archer. This allows for the least tension in the hand, and thus a faster relaxation of the hand at release. This generally results in a more accurate and consistent shot. The nock of the arrow is held on the bowstring between the forefinger and middle finger to help stabilize the arrow before loosing.
The Mediterranean draw and its variants are the main traditional form in Europe; it is also native to the Middle East, appearing on Assyrian carvings at all periods. The Hadza, who do not use quivers, may hold other arrows with the free thumb and little finger.
There are variations of this that include the use of only two fingers, sometimes referred to as being the "Flemish" release. This may allow for a cleaner release. However, more pressure is put on the two fingers, resulting in more strain. Currently, this draw method is little used in Western archery but widespread in Eastern European archery where it is often referred to as the "Hungarian draw". It is common in Hungarian archery, and is taught by several prominent modern teachers of traditional horse and foot archery techniques. The two-finger release can be used on either side of the bow, but is primarily used with a left hand side nocking position bow for mounted and foot use.
The two-finger draw in its Hungarian form can be found in historical records into antiquity amongst Scythian archery and through into the Middle Ages in eastern European manuscripts and art.