3 under or split ?

[dougedwards]

Just finished reading "Instinctive Shooting" by Fred Asbell.  He suggests shooting with the index finger on the string above the arrow so that the pull is applied evenly to the upper and lower limbs.

I began learning to shoot with three fingers under the arrow but am wondering if this is best.  I am sure that there are pros and cons to each style but I do not know what they are.

 Doug

[Rick Richard]

Do a search.  There is a bunch of information on this subject...no clear "better" way.

[dougedwards]

Ok....just did a search using keywords "three under split" and most of the content of the threads were concerning the adjustments that need to be made to a bow that is tillered for split finger shooting for those who want to shoot 3 under.

Two things.  First is.....why would someone want to make changes to a bow that is tillered for split finger just so they can shoot with three fingers under the arrow.  What advantage is there to that?
Second is.....how would you know how a particular bow is tillered?  I have never seen this stated on any of the trad bows that I have seen.

 Doug

[dougedwards]

Anyone?

[jess stuart]

Shoot what works best for you.  Fred shoots split so prefers that method others shoot 3 under better.

[LittleBen]

I find most bows shoot fine either split or 3-under. I thinks it's more myth than anything else. Don;t over complicate things. Just give it a shot. I have noticewd some bows are quiter one way or the other ... but thats what string silencersa are for anyway.

I shoot 3 under. I like it ... I've shot split too ... I just find it more comfortable to shoot 3under.

[Fletcher]

Good shooters using both, but yet to see an Olympic shooter using 3 under.

[Old Chief]

I shot split for fourty years, then due to arthritis in right index finger, I had to learn to shoot 3 under.  It was a pain for a few months, but I think I shoot better now.

Split finger for me, because that is the way I was taught many years ago. As stated above, there are many good shooters who use three under and there are many good shooters who shoot split. You have to try both and see which works for you the best.

The key is for a person to use the method that he can be most comfortable and accurate with.

Bisch

[dougedwards]

So it is a myth that one method pulls more from one limb than the other?

Doug

[Mitch H]

Originally posted by dougedwards:
So it is a myth that one method pulls more from one limb than the other?

Doug

Of course not…….three under loads the bottom limb harder. That is why custom bowyers tiller for either split or 3 under when building a bow.

Not a huge difference, but there is a difference.

To the OP……I shoot 3 under, and there are a LOT of really good shooters using both methods, just gotta find out which one is best for you.  

[WRV]

Started smooting split 35 years ago, switched to three under abt 3 years ago. shoot much better now.

[jlowrey75]

I was told to start shooting 3 under when i started trad archery. Ive found that I shoot better this way and its more comfortable to me.

[Bldtrailer]

I shoot better    split, but teach 3 under to new shooters and my son shoots better with 3 under(I can't, old dog new tricks)    shoot the way that  works best  for YOU and don't let anyone else change your mind.

[dougedwards]

Ok well.  I won't worry about it then....lol

It feels to me like I am touching the arrow when I shoot with split because sometimes the arrow will come from the rest.  

Based on the responses here I will just continue to shoot with three under.

Thanks for the input.

 Doug

[ChuckC]

There are lots of reasons for either way to be good, depending upon yourself, how you started, how you shoot, what you shoot.

Imagine, shooting barebow or traditional,having the arrow as close to right under your eye as you can get it is a plus.  You can aim right down the shaft.  Of course, that limits your distance somewhat.

If you are using sights, having the arrow closer to your eye is not a good thing unless you use only one pin.  The farther away from your eye the arrow is, the more distance (pins) you can access.

Most. .  (all ?) Olympic archers are using sights and are shooting out to big distances. Think about it. .  If they anchor with three under, close to their eye, they would not be able to hold the pin on the target after maybe 30 yards, if that.  That doesn't help them.  

In days gone by (when I cared about target archery ) the typical target anchor was under the chin, which allowed the string to touch the chin, the tip of the nose and split the aiming eye.  All good things for lining up the same every time, as well as for giving a lot of room for pins.

As above, there is a difference in the way bows are tillered, 3 under and mediteranean ( split), but most will not tell the difference.

ChuckC

[Safari Scott]

I started out split then moved to three under for a while. Now I'm back happily with split, I don't even remember what my bow was tillered for but it didn't make a difference either way.

[Tim Finley]

The best shooters I know shoot 3 under . Myself I have shot that way since the 60s' (not that Im a good shooter!)I think you get a better release . You dont have to tiller a bow any different than normal Its where the string ends as it lets the arrow go not where it starts !!

[njloco]

That's funny, the best shooters I know shoot split     , I guess it depends on where your from.

The arrow comes off the shelf because your pinching it, as long as your nocks have the right tension ( pinch ) on the  serving area of the string you should only need light pressure on the arrow.

I shoot split and I anchor with my middle finger at the corner of my mouth, this gets the arrow up closer to my eye, and makes it easier for my peripheral vision to pick it up.

If your still having trouble, try angling your wrist slightly bent ( say 45* angle ) towards the string, then as you draw the string will have pressure clockwise ( if your a righty ) and help hold it on the rest.

Good luck !