Bow draw

Main methods of drawing bows.

A bow draw is the method used to draw a bow. Currently, the most common method is the Mediterranean draw, long the usual method in European archery. Other methods include the pinch draw and the Mongolian draw.

Pinch draw or "primary release"

A pinch draw

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. 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 was widespread in traditional archery in the Americas and is seen (with the Mediterranean draw) in the earlier Assyrian reliefs of Ashurnasirpal II. The arrow may be placed on either side of the bow.

Variations

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. This is further developed in the "tertiary release"; the forefinger not only presses on the arrow end, but also grasps the string. These variants were also used in the Americas, appear on the reliefs of Sennacherib and have been described from Thailand and the Andaman Islands. It may be used by Scythian archers depicted on Greek black-figure pottery.

Mediterranean draw, Mediterranean release

A Mediterranean draw

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. The modern thought on the draw is to keep effort in the hand at a minimum. The only work the hand is 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 Mediterranean draw or its variants is the only traditional form attested 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.^[1] At present this is by far the most popular method of drawing a bow. It is now used by almost all recurve, traditional, and bare-bow shooters.

Variations

There are variations of this that include the use of only two fingers. 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. It has been described in use by Eskimo archers, and appears on Sassanian royal pictures.

Barebow and longbow archers often have the index, middle and ring fingers on the string all below the arrow. This brings the arrow closer to the eye, facilitating "point of aim" and instinctive shooting, and allows the archer to use the "string walking" aiming technique.

Mongolian draw, Mongolian release

A Mongolian draw

The Mongolian draw, or thumb draw, uses only the thumb, the strongest single digit, to grasp the string. Around the back of the thumb, the index and/or middle fingers reinforce the grip. This is traditional across the Asian steppes, extending to Korea, China, Russia and recent Persia and Turkey. It was also used by Ishi, the last of the Yana, with his short bows.

It gives a narrower grip on the string, as only one digit is used, and this may help to avoid "string pinch" with shorter bows such as the composite bows normally used from horseback. It may also avoid a problem occasionally faced by archers using the Mediterranean release, when the three fingers do not release at exactly the same time and thus foul the draw. It also positions the string further back in the hand, allowing a longer draw, all else being equal. This release is normally used with the arrow on the right side of the bow for a right-handed archer, and on the left side of the bow for a left-handed archer.

Equipment

Protective equipment is normally used to protect the skin of the digits used. For the Mediterranean draw, the fingers may be protected with shooting gloves or by finger tabs. A shooting glove is a three-fingered glove that goes on the primary hand of the shooter. Models range from full-finger leather to gloves that only cover the tips of the fingers. These gloves are used mostly by traditional and bare-bow shooters. Finger tabs are pieces of material that are attached via leather straps or holes to the middle finger. For amateurs a plain tab made of leather is a simple, cheap, and still highly effective protection for the fingers.

Thumb rings or leather thumb tabs are used by archers practising the Mongolian release. Most cover and protect the skin of the thumb only. The Japanese yugake is a reinforced glove with a special ridge which holds the string.

In the past 25 years, with the advent of the compound bow, mechanical releases have become popular. The mechanism is usually attached to the wrist; it holds the string, and releases it when triggered. They offer a cleaner release and require no finger strength. However, finger releases must be used for bows other than compounds in most tournaments (including the International Archery Federation) and thus are still widely used.

Notes

1. ^ Marlowe, 2010. The Hadza: Hunter-Gatherers of Tanzania. Illustrated by front-cover photo.

Further reading

Ancient and modern methods of arrow-release. Edward S. Morse, Director, Peabody Academy of Science. Bulletin of the Essex Institute vol. XVII Oct-Dec 1885. Reprinted 2002 by the Dyfi Valley Bookshop.