split vs 3 under

[Ari_Bonn]

So I have always shot split with my middle finger at corner of mouth like john schulz teaches in the video.

Today I made a massive discovery in that it really doesn't work with my face all that well.

I tried 3 under for the first time putting the index finger to my mouth, I seem to be getting the same angle to eye but my hand fits flatter to my face.
Then I tried my middle even though same as split it raised the arrows even closer to my eye and seems to clear my face so much better!!

Locking onto target is so much more easy now its almost like iron sights.

What do you guys prefer when shooting "hill" style?

[the rifleman]

I just made the same change and after a couple adjustments one to the bow and one to me I'm shooting much more accurately than I did split.  I really believe the key is finding what works for you.  I think some put so much emphasis on " shooting instinctive" that it can make someone just starting out think that aiming should not be part of the process, making the journey that much more difficult--- ask me how I know...  I shoot better w the arrow closer in my peripheral vision and when I aim-- I'm doing both of these better 3 under.  I do miss the smooth feel of the arrow leaving the bow, but a small bit of noise and a good hit beats a smooth miss everytime

[forestdweller]

The greatest shooters of all time past and current all shot split finger.

I tried 3 under but for me personally my arrow drops off too heavily around 40 yards for me and it relies too much on aiming at the closer distances.

Shooting split fingers the perceived trajectory is flatter and I can comfortable shoot out to 50 yards (not accurately of course) whereas with 3 under they drop way too much at 50 yards to even hit the target for me.

That being said some other things I have noticed where that shooting 3 under and canting the bow feels very unnatural whereas with split finger it feels natural.

I also feel like I have a lot more arrow control with split finger since I have one finger above and below the nock at all times.

That being said you can be deadly with either method but split finger wins out at the longer distances in my opinion and seems to suit split vision/instinctive much more than 3 under since the arrow is lower in your peripheral vision until you are further out.

[Terry Green]

There is no 'vs'....shoot what works best for you because one does NOT suit everyone.

[KeganM]

Originally posted by forestdweller:
The greatest shooters of all time past and current all shot split finger.

That's not true. Current world records are held by three under shooters. It's just a way to hold the string. As Terry said, just find what works best for you and what you're trying to do.

[forestdweller]

Originally posted by KeganM:
 

Originally posted by forestdweller:
The greatest shooters of all time past and current all shot split finger.

That's not true. Current world records are held by three under shooters. It's just a way to hold the string. As Terry said, just find what works best for you and what you're trying to do. [/b]

What people that currently hold world records shoot 3 under? All of the guys shooting Olympic recurve use split.

I'm sure there are quite a few champion barebow target archers that use 3 under though.

[moebow]

Split finger or 3 under is nothing more than an accommodation for your chosen aiming system.  IF your aiming system works for the archery "game" you are playing then go for it.

Arne

[KeganM]

Originally posted by forestdweller:
 

Originally posted by KeganM:
   

Originally posted by forestdweller:
The greatest shooters of all time past and current all shot split finger.

That's not true. Current world records are held by three under shooters. It's just a way to hold the string. As Terry said, just find what works best for you and what you're trying to do. [/b]

What people that currently hold world records shoot 3 under? All of the guys shooting Olympic recurve use split.

I'm sure there are quite a few champion barebow target archers that use 3 under though. [/b]

Dewayne Martin. I believe last year he even beat out compound shooters in Vegas and set a new world record.

Heck, all of the top IBO guys and gals use three under, and IBO is as close to hunting simulation you can get without actually hunting with some stiff competition. These guys are unreal.

That's barebow, no sights. More akin to what we do than Olympic recurves (not that there's anything wrong with Olympic archery).

[oops sorry]

The sights on Olympic recurves tend to run out of elevation if shot 3 under. That forces the archer to mount the sight toward the belly rather than out front and some precision of aiming is lost. So for the Olympic 70m game, split is most common. If you aren't using sights and long ranges use what works. I have heard arguments that split gives a cleaner release. I shoot both ways with different bows and don't find one "better" than the other.

[crazynate]

I shoot hill style split. But terry is right. Do what works best for you. I tries 3 under and I didn't like that for instinctive shooting.i will say it's an effective way to shoot but I just prefer split. I also nock below the nock not above. It's easier for me to put the arrow on and pull it to the nock vs sliding it down as John Shulz does in that video. But he's an amazing shot and I'm not lol. So my opinion is just my opinion

[reddogge]

Just remember shooting 3 under with a lower anchor gives the exact same sight picture as shooting split with a high anchor. The arrow winds up at the same place on the face and the point on distance is the same. Shooting 3 under with a high anchor will work well for closer targets and your point on will be relatively short and seems to work well for those who shoot 3-D and hunt only.

[the rifleman]

3 under--- definitely 3 under.  I've tried both split and 3 under and 3 under wins hands down--- at least for today-- ask me next month...

[YosemiteSam]

In my teens, I shot a compound split finger with sights.  I anchored under my chin as in the olympic style.  Switching to trad gear, I do best with a gapping method (a lot like using sights) so I went to 3 under.  It took some getting used to but now it feels more natural.  The body will adapt to whatever you choose.

[Tradcat]

LOL.... I have the same answer as the rifleman

[Bowwild]

My organization has taught more than 16 million kids to shoot 3-under in the past 15 years.  We teach this because most newbies can keep the arrow on the arrow rest better that way.  The string is easier for them to draw to anchor without twisting.  

When teaching kids, if the arrow is falling off the rest, nearly 100% of the time they are shooting split finger, grip torque is the more minor cause.  

Doesn't mean the arrow won't come off the rest with 3-under, just far more likely with split. Of course a newbie, of any age, is a youngster in archery, so what is good for the gosling is good for the goose.

If the student archer wants to switch to split after they've mastered arrow control, that's up to them. .Not right or wrong. Safety for everyone in the school archery class is the first priority even if "dear ole Dad" wants the youngster to shoot like he does.

I shoot just like the kids (be a hypocrite if I didn't) Wouldn't go back to split for money. I find it more comfortable and the bow can be made quiet enough.