SECTION 13 SECTION 13 SECTION 13 SECTION 13
ST ST
ST STEP 3 THE DRAWING HAND EP 3 THE DRAWING HAND EP 3 THE DRAWING HAND EP 3 THE DRAWING HAND
The first three fingers of the drawing hand are placed on the string, the index finger above, and the second and third fingers below the arrow nock.
The student must be taught to take a deep hook; this ensures the hand is relaxed and most importantly, the back of the hand and wrist is kept flat. The knuckles must not be poking out but must be kept flat. The wrist and forearm must be straight - there should be a straight line from the elbow to the fingers.
Initially the string should be positioned behind the first joints of the fingers (Diagram A). The student takes a deep hook. As the bow is drawn the string will roll forward settling in or just behind the first finger joints (Diagram B); this position will prevent soreness and calluses in the fingers. As the middle finger is usually longer than the top and bottom fingers, the string should sit behind the first joint of this finger.
There is much debate as to the amount of pressure that should be taken on each finger. In the past it has been thought that the middle finger takes about 50% of the overall pressure of the string, the top or index finger takes 40% with the third or lower finger taking only 10%. Current thinking is that all three fingers should take even pressure sharing the load.
If the student take a shallow hook (in front of the joint) to commence the draw, when the bow is drawn the string will roll toward the finger tips. This will create excess tension in the finger, hand and wrist and will lead to soreness and calluses and a poor release.
The finger tips should be curled around the string to form a deep hook Diagram C. Note also, that the back of the hand in particular the knuckles are flat.
This also sets up the hand to allow the index finger to make solid contact under the jaw bone giving a strong positive anchor point.
Remember - The finger tips must be curled around the string to form a deep hook, with the fingers tips pointed back toward the wrist, this helps to flatten the back of the hand and straighten the wrist.
Diagram A
Diagram C
Diagram B
Some students assume that to obtain a good release, they should hold the string on the tips of their fingers.
This is incorrect and should be highlight as part of the introduction demonstration. It must be highlighted why the student should develop a deep hook and not hold the string by their finger tips.
The key points that should be stressed are;
• Fingers and hand must be relaxed throughout the entire drawing and shooting process, the hand and wrist should not be under tension to hold the weight of the bow. If the hand is under tension this will make it almost impossible to achieve a clean, smooth release.
• If the student holds the string on the finger tips, the back of the hand will be cupped and the wrist usually bent creating a forced release.
To demonstrate to students the correct way to hold a bow string, have them pick up a bucket or bag. They will automatically grip the handle with the first three fingers in or behind the first joints, with the finger tips pointing toward the wrist and even pressure being taken on all three fingers.
To achieve the feeling of release, have the student relax their fingers and release the bucket allowing it to fall to the ground, mimicking the release. In comparison, have them pick up the bucket with their finger tips and feel the tension in their fingers, hand and wrist. To allow them to experience how difficult it is to hold the bucket on their finger tips, have them let go of the handle.
Take care not to pinch the arrow nock between the index and middle finger as this may cause the arrow to rotate off the rest during drawing, ideally to prevent this and keep the hand relaxed archers should be encouraged to use a finger space between the first and second finger.
This problem will be increased if the student cups the hand during set up and draw.
