Switching from split finger to three under

[dwh74]

Been shooting traditional for a while. Started out shooting split finger with the bow canted. Recently my form and accuracy have taken a turn for the worse. I recently watched some videos by Jimmy Blackmon and decided to try to switch to three under with the bow straight. My shooting improved dramatically. This is new to me, so I could use some help. What is a good tab to use. I have read some good reviews on the Fred Eichler tab from 3 Rivers, but i'm not sure if I would like that style or one with the band. I know this affects the tiller of the bow, but in what ways. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[McDave]

First, realize that when your "form and accuracy have taken a turn for the worse," this has nothing to do with the way you hold the string or whether the bow is vertical or not.  If you were shooting better before, holding the string and bow however you held it, and started shooting worse, holding it the same way, then you must have changed something else.

When you switch to another method, like 3 under or holding the bow vertical, everything is new and you become more aware of what you're doing, for a while.  I happen to be a big fan of Jimmy Blackmon, and try to do a lot of the same things he does.  Maybe you're better off holding the bow vertical and holding the string 3 under.  But that's not the reason you started shooting worse.  Being aware of what you're doing during the shot, so you can recognize when you change things, is the skill you need to develop.

Start with a simple tab, just a piece of leather with a hole in it.  I have tried a lot of them, and I currently like the tab sold by Rod Jenkins of Safarituff, but there are a lot of good ones out there, and the differences won't affect the way you shoot that much.  My experience is that when you switch from split to 3 under you need to raise the nock point about 1/8".

[dwh74]

Thanks for the information McDave, it is greatly appreciated.I'm always trying to learn as much as possible to improve my skills as an archer and to execute good ethical shots in the field.

[snapper1d]

I have shot split finger all my life and last week I got a wild hair and tried 3 under.Man I still cant believe the improvement in my accuracy.I am not saying you will do better by going to 3 under.I am saying it helped me a great deal.

[Jake Scott]

I just started a pretty lengthy post about this in the powwow.  I agree with McDave, if your shooting took a turn for the worst before switching to 3 under, you would probably be better served examining Terry Greens form clock and checking any issues with alignment.

Having said that, I recently switched to 3 under and tightens my groups up considerably.  The same principles of alignment still apply however, 3 under just presents a slightly different sight picture and I find it easier to find a consistent anchor point/s.  Everytime my accuracy starts to slip I go back to that form clock and study it closely.  It is a simple, but EXTREMELY valuable tool.  These are just one mans opinions, and there are certainly guys here that can help a lot more than me.  Stay at it and one way or another things will improve.

Jake

[rwbowman]

I made the switch to 3 under Friday night at the indoor range. While I am enjoying the tighter groups at 20 yards (new point on) I am suffering on shorter distances, as I typically shoot instinctive up to 30 yards while shooting split. Shooting 3 under, I'm using the same anchor (middle finger in the conrner of my mouth) and am wondering if I can change to my ring finger for shorter distances (around 10 yards). Anyone have any experience with using a different anchor for different distances?

[Fattony77]

rwbowman, What you're describing sounds very close to what's called "face walking".

There's a guy (can't remember his name) in Masters of the Barebow 2 that uses face walking very successfully. It's similar to string walking, except you change your anchor point instead of changing your finger position on the string. You just figure out at what distance a given anchor point will give you a "point-on" sight picture.

Don't know if I'm explaining this very well, but it's much more understandable if you watch MBB 2.

[rwbowman]

Great explanation Tony. I tried it out and so far, I'm pleased.I found to be point on at ten with my ring finger and twenty with the dirty bird. Can't wait to try index for thirty. I wonder though, if I'll be able to run back to split for a point on at forty.

[katman]

rw, going from 3 under to split will change your tune, primarily nock point height.

[Todd Cook]

I think McDave nailed this one.Have you ever noticed when you get in a shooting slump and make a little change, all of a sudden you start shooting lights out? I've done it and decided I'd discovered "TheSecret" to archery. And then a few days later, it's not working as well.

I think what really happens is when we change something, our focus is temporarily magnified. When your focus is good, you usually shoot good.

I'm not saying form doesn't matter. It certainly does. I just believe really focusing on "the spot" is the most important part.

[rwbowman]

Well now that turkey season is in and I plan to spend more time in the woods than indoors shooting, I've been trying to work my way back to shooting split to reduce bow noise when I shoot. I built and tuned a string to shoot three under that reduced the noise quite a bit, but it's still nowhere near as quiet as when I shoot split. I don't know, maybe I'll just stick to three under and pray the arrow meets its mark before the mark reacts.

[mightyox]

I switched to 3 under and can't tell a difference in noise. im also accurate using 3 under. Now im thinking about switching to a tab instead of a glove.