Anchor Point, middle or index?

[bigugly1]

As you can tell by all my recent posts and questions I'm pretty grren to all this traditional stuff and I have tried a search on this topic but came up short. Here is what I'm needing to know. I read that you should anchor with middle finger when shooting split finger, I've tried this and it puts me in a real awkward position I'm a lot more comfortable using my index finger, is this an issue? In past with compound I ran into some weird setups do to my facial featurs like having to have my peep set real high. Is this one of those thing you just don't sweat and do what works for you?

[Wiley Coyote]

Do what works for you. When I shot a compound from the left side I used my index finger, traditional from the right side I use my middle finger.  

[Eugene Slagle]

It really depends on you & what you are comfortable with & can repeat consistently.

I have a double anchor if you will, I use my index finger tip against my eye tooth root & the thumb bone against the back of my jaw.
This is very solid & for me consistent & repeatable in all types of positions that I may encounter in the deer woods or target range.

[klight]

I use my middle finger. My elevation is much more consistent using the middle finger vs. the index. Not sure why.

[wildgame]

Originally posted by klight:
I use my middle finger. My elevation is much more consistent using the middle finger vs. the index. Not sure why.

x2

[straitera]

Just find something comfortable & stick with it. You'll soon gravitate to the correct spot that will allow you to know when you;re ready to shoot & RELEASE properly. Proper release is straight away & back from the string. Not plucking or torquing it.

[beyondmyken]

Which finger can depend on the space between your anchor point and your eye ( or glasses).  Even with my smallest glasses, using my middle finger causes my hand to push my glasses up.

[Stumpkiller]

What's important is that your anchor is consistant.  I use my middle fingertip just behind my upper canine (one advantage to crooked teeth).

[Bowwild]

Consistent anchor that doesn't cause you to under or overdraw, both of which would prevent back motion in your shot. I shoot 3-under with index finger tip at the corner of the mouth and thumb  folded in the palm with knuckle behind jaw. This keeps my draw hand stretched out, flat and relaxed. It wouldn't bother me a bit to put he middle finger at the mouth if that was more comfortable.  However, I just tried it. I find the way my cheekbones are structured putting the middle finger at the mouth causes my cheek bones to separate my finger between the index and middle. Index finger would remain the most comfortable for me.

[Wannabe1]

Middle finger for me also. It's just what works for my style of shooting.  

[Orion]

As others have said, whatever feels comfortable and whatever works.  Your anchor is your rear sight.  Using your index finger lowers your rear sight vis-a-vis using your middle finger if you anchor them in the same place.  If you shoot a light bow, using the index finger will extend your point on range.  At any given distance, you won't need to aim quite as high with the index finger anchor as you would with the middle finger anchor, because the higher aim is built into the lower rear anchor with the index finger. The differences aren't great, and your brain will quickly accommodate either anchor.  Good luck.

[smoke1953]

I'm consistently inconsistent with my finger placement dependent on how much I cant for a particular shot.  I love shooting at all different angles and I am becoming consistent(finally) with placing the arrow directly below my eye which results in my index tucked into the top of my jaw line for a cant of about 30 deg however it gradually moves to my middle finger in the same location as I increase the cant with the thumb knuckle finding a corresponding location behind the earlobe. I know I'm nuts but I'm havin fun.

[Kris]

Do whatever works for you!  Consistency is key though.  It'll all come together with practice. It'll all change as well...then you'll find something else to focus on.  It's forever evolving, hence the challenge!  Keep at it and have fun!

Best of luck!

Kris

Depends on facial structure to a degree, head angle and how much you cant the bow.  If your form is straight up and down the higher anchor will cause an unnatural position for the head and neck.  If your head is tilted and a bit forward you may find the middle inline with the mouth will work as well with the added advantage of getting the arrow a little closer to your eye. If your eye is over the arrow with your favored position either way is fine.

[JrsyBowHunter]

shooting split fingers i anchor with my middle finger in the corner of my mouth, works great for me

[BobCo 1965]

Personally, I use the index finger in the corner of my mouth. By doing this, it allows my thumb to ride under my chin and the pocket where my thumb meets the hand goes right up under my jaw.

[reddogge]

I've used the middle near the corner of my mouth and it allows my thumb to ride along the botton of cheekbone back to my ear lobe on release.  Gives me the elevation and sight picture I like.

[snag]

By using your middle finger you are getting the arrow shaft closer to your eye. In other words you will be looking down the shaft better. I find that I am more consistent especially when shooting at different distances. But each to his own. Like others have said be consistent in your anchor point(s).

[Ed Q]

I've seen pictures of Olympic target archers anchoring at or below the jaw line.  Why is that and what advantage, if any, does that anchor have over an anchor at the corner of the mouth?

[Orion]

Ed Q:  The lower anchor extends the point on range even more than an index finger in the corner of the mouth.  Or, said another way, it enables them to shoot farther at the same sight setting than they would if they anchored at the side of their face because their anchor is lower (lower rear sight) under the chin.  Keep in mind that the longer Olympic targets are 60 meters and most shooters are shooting light bows and arrows.  They need a low anchor so they don't have to hold their sights so high/over the target on the longer shots. In fact, in most cases, if they didn't anchor under their chin, they wouldn't be able to get enough distance out of their lowest sight settings to hit the 60 meter targets.  The sight pin would have to be brought so low that it would interfere with the arrow.