In response to the "Holding Time" threads,,,

[kawika b]

If you are struggling with your holding time at anchor then you may consider your draw hand and how deep your hook is. Recently I thought that the early pre-load on my ACS was the reason for my holding woes. I even began to think I was over-bowed. Not so. When I stopped to look over my form in all the different facets I noticed my hook had become shallower than usual. I went back and shot a few arrows paying close attention to my deep hook,,, bingo. Everything was more relaxed now. Hold time increased and consistency picked right back up. I also picked up on a rising draw elbow,,, no detail too small to not be looked at.

With that said,,, be mindful of everything.

[McDave]

I agree.  When I stop getting good groups, one of the first things I look at is how I'm hooking my fingers on the string.  It's not enough just to place the string in the first joint of my fingers.  The tips of my fingers have to be hooked back for me to shoot well.  It's always seemed odd to me that I shoot better that way than with my fingertips more relaxed, and of course I do try to keep the back of my hand relaxed, which is not as easy to do with my fingertips bent into more of a hook.  The only thing I can figure out is that maybe it gives me a more consistent release than holding the string with my fingertips more relaxed.

[kawika b]

The funny thing  David is how people cannot understand how a deep hook helps to relax the draw hand. Heck even I can't really expalin it! It just does,,, feels akward when you first try it but after a while it even helps with heavier poundage.

[Bowtie]

Kawika b & McDave,
Thanks for the tip! I'll try it. I've been shooting a light hook in regards to what you describe. Almost not even to my first joint. Probably a result of how I shot compound with fingers years ago.

[Terry Green]

Yep....if you shoot of the pads of your fingers, and go to a hook, your bow will feel 10#s lighter.....so you can actually shoot a bow 10#s heavier.    :D

[kawika b]

Here's a good examle of a deep hook.

[McDave]

Another example of a shallow hook would be similar to diagram A, where the string is in the first joint, but where the tips of the fingers are sort of pointed to the front rather than hooked back, which is what I have to look out for.

[Savate]

Interesting...I'm learning some good stuff from y'all.

What about 3-fingers under or 1-over/2-under holds?  I first learned the 3under and feel uncomfortable any other way, but does that effect release, etc?

[kawika b]

no ill effects for me w/3under.

[Ybuck]

Great point. Just the way i've alway hooked up, never realized how important it is.

[pdk25]

I always hook at the first joint, but when I relax my hand my fingers don't point back.  As of yet I can't notice a change in accuracy or difficulty holding the bow back.  I guess I need to video myself so I can see what it looks like.

[PA stickbow boy]

that deep hook may just be what i need to do.  i'm gonna give it a try.