How deep do you grab ?

[Pine]

I came across an article that described grabbing the string at the second knuckle . I don't see how you could get a clean release that way .
I get the string in my first knuckle and shoot split .
My brother in law just uses the tips of his fingers and shoots split , half way between the first knuckle and his finger tips .
So how do you hook the string and why ?

[jt85]

I shoot split and hook in my first knuckle. If I try to grab the string on my finger tips I always end up curling my fingers half way through my draw and rolling my arrow off the shelf. I feel I am more accurate with a little deeper hook.

First knuckle. I don't see how second knuckle could even work!

Bisch

[Msbow]

I've heard of that 2nd knuckle release, but I'm like you im not sure how it works. TJ Conrad said in his book to shoot from the finger tips, but I get a cleaner release with a deep hook in the first finger joints. Somewhere I read that the deep hook relaxes your hand and fingers for a better release. If I shoot of the fingertips with a tab that I made. I get all kinds of erratic arrow flight if I hook it deep in the first joint they fly perfect, I dunno, I stay confused about it mostly and just shoot whatever makes my arrows fly right.

[Bowwild]

2nd knuckle with a tab. I have less windage issues with that deeper hold than in the first knuckle. The back of the drawing harm is completely flat in a relaxed state. Try hooking the handle of a bucket of water hanging your arm down. Let that hand stretch out.

An Olympic archer coach told me first knuckle (archer's groove) but deeper is better than less deep.

The finger tip hold bends (bows) the back of the hand preventing a relaxed draw hand at anchor which degrades the release.

[longbow fanatic 1]

I grip half way between first knuckle and second knuckle. When I hit anchor, the string moves slightly toward the first knuckle on release.

[VA Elite]

Almost at the second knuckle. I was using first knuckle but found the deeper the better for me.

[KyStickbow]

First knuckle for me....and 3-under.

[durp]

glove...just above the first nuckle like id carry a bucket of water with a relaxed hand...works for me

[Homebru]

I've posted this before. If anybody knows string placement, it would be Kisik Lee.

Here is the string placement recommended on his webpage.  I think the string should stay at the first joint at full draw.  A deep hook is a good thing and when your fingertips relax, the string will be gone.

Shooting on your fingertips like your brother will cause "plucking" of the string.

homebru

     

[Red Beastmaster]

It depends on where you start counting knuckles.

[MnFn]

I am beginning to see the merit of Bowwild's post.  Sometimes you can't see how it could work until you try it and find out it really does work.

[hitman]

First knuckle, split finger.

[hart2hart]

OK,I'll bite 8>)
If I go 1st joint/index fingertip to corner of mouth,I shoot left.
If I go "fingernail" to corner(point of finger straight back toward drawing shoulder)I stay pretty well in line.
Reasons??
I believe it moves the string closer to my cheek and more in line with my dominate eye.
It seems to give me a stronger BT connection(placebo maybe but who cares if it works)and cleans up release issues.
I start with the string in 2nd joint, but it ends up between 1st and 2nd.You'll see it especially on your index finger if you flex that 2nd joint fully.There's naturally a deep valley for the string to settle in.
Don't curl the 3rd joint!!!(proximal..if my 'nat class memories come back correctly)We know what that does.
Food for thought only..Go with what works for you.
Stay warm if that's possible.
Mike

[gavelguy]

I was shooting split off my fingertip pads and have recently gone to a deeper hook (first joint). It is not only quieter but I picked up 5 fps as my draw length increased almost an inch.