Two fingers ??

[GR]

I've noticed that I have a tendency to draw using only two fingers (index and middle) or to have very light pressure on my ring finger. Is this common? What if any problems does this cause?

[Yellowsnake]

Less contact with the bowstring(fewer fingers on bowstring)SHOULD make for a cleaner release.  Most compound shooters use a mechanical release for this reason.  However, this ain't compound shooting.  Fewer fingers on the string means that more tension/strain is applied to the fingers that are on the string.  This COULD lead to a poor release instead of a cleaner release.  Fewer fingers on the string COULD also lead to possible injury to the fingers and/or hand.  All that being said, if it works for you keep doing it.

[GR]

Thanks, as a little background, I switched from right to left a couple of years ago and dropped down to ~60# bows rc & lb. I don't remember ever doing this as a righty. Honestly it feels better with just two fingers, but was curious if I was setting myself up for problems later. I hadn't even thought about injuries.

[deermaster1]

brooks johnson of double bull archery was in there Another year on the ground 6 video and he shoots traditional and bare compound bows.  i saw him draw 3 fingers under and then hold with only 2 fingers as he aimed.this was with a compound so it was easier to hold at full draw but if you can hold with 2 finger and it works, go for it!

[John 4]

I have a friend that shoots two fingers under.
He can't shoot targets to save himself,but he's a very successfull hunter,,so you can't really argue with that.

[Scott J. Williams]

Two fingers under, three fingers under, one finger over, one under, one over and two under, really doesn't seem to matter as long as the nocking point/tiller is set for your shooting style.  

I had this conversation with my fiancee' last evening, while we all desire to have the most consistant release possible, it seems to take care of itself when we set the rest of the shot up.  

When I get that elbow in alingment with the arrow and maintain the proper tension(not creeping or colapsing at the shot)I have gotten away with all kinds of crazy things with my release and the arrow still went where I was looking.

I think that we pay a little too much attention to that part of the game.

[loco_cacahuate]

I've shot 2 fingers split for 25 years, havent had any probs so far.

[A.S.]

Last year I shot 2 fingers split, this year I switched to 2under and I'm shooting better than I ever have (17 years trad). I'm just shooting 50-52# bows, not sure about the injury possiblities if you shoot heavier stuff.

It definately gives me a cleaner release using just 2 fingers.

[joebuck]

I shoot 2 under......I hold a split grip but my index is resting beside the string. It does no pulling or holding.

[NDTerminator]

I have Scott Antzak's video Dead On Traditional, in which he uses a three under draw then drops the bottom finger completely off the string for a two under hold & release... with an 80# Martin Hatfield!

I call it the "Two Under Steel Fingers Of Death Method"...   :D

[cvarcher]

My thoughts on all these differant finger configurations is this... if you can shoot great that way then do it. BUT... You could bet your money Howard Hill would have tried it all and he settled with the split finger one over two under. Until someone breaks all his records of accuracy ,speedshooting ,tournaments and hunting game with some other finger configuration Thats the way I will shoot.

[MikeP in WV]

My ring finger has been killing me too lately, giving me shooting pains in the joint when I first begin shooting and feeling numb or "asleep" almost 24/7.  I've considered 2 under since I'm a 3 under shooter but didn't want to do it without consulting with experts like Tradgang. How do you 2 under shooters anchor mostly? Middle finger at corner of mouth or index finger???
MikeP

[StickBowManMI]

My wife shoots her Navajo Scout Longbow(52lbs@28") using only two fingers and she shoots great. However, she is having trouble with her shoulder. Not sure whether this is related to shooting with 2 fingers.

[SELFBOW19953]

I tore a ligament to my ring finger several years ago (unbelievable pain in my forearm diagnosed by a physical therapist).  I shot 2 finger split for over a year with 60 to 65# longbows.  When the ligament was completely healed, I went back to 3 finger.  There was a short learning curve getting the feel of something different, otherwise I didn't notice much difference.