TO SPLIT OR NOT TO SPLIT

[arkiewoodsman]

ive been shhoting a longbow for a few months and the first advice i got was to shoot three under. i am fairly accurate that way at 20 yards or so but i see all the greats shooting split fingered. as dumb as this sounds i want to shoot split even though id have to relearn and im not as accurate. im also having a hard time finding a good anchor point since with 3 under i touch the fletching to the tip of my nose. what now? thoughts?
mmaman

[Shaun]

The big advantage to 3 under is aiming. The arrow is closer to your eye and you can "gunbarrel" down the shaft. With split finger the gap is greater but you have better control of the arrow. Many of the old time shooters claimed to use the instinctive method or split vision (whatever that is). With instinctive you do not look at the arrow or the gap over the point. Just stare at a spot and let loose. Kinda like throwing a baseball.

Most folks use the tip of the middle finger touching some point on the face, the corner of the mouth or a tooth as an anchor.

[arkiewoodsman]

can your ever get as good as the old timers like byron fergusson shooting asprins out of the air if you aim? i though instinctive was kinda the point. thanks for the insight. mmaman

[waiting4fall]

I love shooting 3 under. Here's how I anchor, just to give you some ideas. @ full draw I lock my thumb behind the jaw bone, middle finger @ corner of mouth. Works for me.

[Quill Flinger]

3 under here, similar anchor (most of the time) as waiting4fall, except I put my index finger in corner pressed against a particular tooth.
Lord save my teeth!

[30coupe]

I shot 3 under last year, but went back to split because I feel I have better control of the arrow and the shot is quieter. I don't really anchor any differently, the arrow is just a bit lower. I shoot instinctive, so the arrow position didn't really make that much difference. At first I wasn't as accurate, but after a while I can't tell any difference. With 3 under, I always had the feeling the arrow was going to escape at an inopportune time, like when a deer was under my stand.

By the way, Byron Ferguson recommends starting new archers 3 under, then having them switch as they gain proficiency and confidence.

As many have stated though, there is nothing inherently wrong with staying 3 under if it works for you.