A numb 4th right (ring) finger

[DaveKing]

I just started back shooting traditional, I shoot in my basement at 10 yards.  Today I talked to some folks at the local archery store and my 4th right finger getting numb and figured I'd video a shooting session to have them (and now folks here) critique my form.  As a bonus I managed to shoot a Robin Hood during the video sequence.

  I thought if I could get to where I could relax my 5th right (little) finger I'd put less pressure on the 4th finger.  (I'm about ready to try taping a popsicle stick to the 5th finger to keep it straight.)

Here's the video:

   

Edit to add a second video

 

Thanks

[wv lungbuster]

I would say that you finger is hanging up on the string. Your fingers will never be fast enough to get out of the way when your consciously releasing. You need to just concentrate on your spot and let the release just happen.

[TSHOOTER]

I had the same problem shooting a 58 inch recurve 3 under.  It got so bad it stayed numb for several weeks and I had to shoot compound or nothing  I switched to a 65 inch longbow and back to split finger and I no longer have that problem. For me split finger and a lesser string angle make all the difference.

[Bill Skinner]

It looks like the bow has a slight cant to your right and your hand is slightly canted the other way.  This will put a lot of stress on the ring finger, you may want to try putting about 2/3s of the pull on your center finger or make sure your ring finger touches the side of your face or both.  Bill

[DaveKing]

TSHOOTER

  Thanks for the info, my finger stays numb and unless I fix this I'm in for some trouble.

Bill

  I have another video of shooting taken from the front and I do believe I am twisting the string with the right bow cant and left hand cant.  I'll work on it and thanks for the insight.

Video link:

 

I used to have that problem.  I had an old, very good, archer tell me to take a deep hook, make sure I had equal pressure across all my fingers on the string during my shot sequence and squeeze it so hard as if to try and cut it in two.  Numb fingers, calluses, and discomfort of any kind went away.

He also said if you make a conscious effort to keep equal pressure across the string during the draw, you elbow will automatically be at the proper height at anchor.

[Boom Stick]

Same thing happened to me so I switched to 2 finger under.  Best change I ever made.  I'm sure I could use my 3rd finger again but I don't want to.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Level/lower your draw arm elbow and take some pressure off that bottom string finger. It will go away in a few days.

[DaveKing]

Thanks for the feedback.

  I'm working on getting my right hand rotated further right so as to match the cant I have on the bow (Thanks Bill Skinner).  I think I'm still thinking compound bow and a trigger release and don't rotate my hand enough.  
  Keeping the extra rotation in mind, matching draw hand to bow cant, I shot about 100 arrows the other evening and think I'm on the way to getting this beat.
 
  I made a short video but didn't get the camera in a good position to see my draw hand well in relation to the bow.  I'll make another video to get a better view and review it.

 
  I hook at the first joint of my fingers and use a shooting glove.  When I was young I managed to amputate the distal tip on my right index finger, I have a shortened finger with a very rounded/hooked nail, this finger does not like to take much pressure and consequently most of my draw weight is held by my middle finger.  I've tried shooting two finger but that puts nearly all the draw weight on one finder.

  I'll try the lower draw arm elbow too.

[kenn1320]

I had tingling fingers when I tried 2 under. Great release, but constant weird feeling in my finger tips. Did a search or two on here and guys said it was nerve damage according to thier doctors. Work on keeping your draw hand loose, get a some inserts for your gove to thicken it(rubber thimbles from office supply). Also make sure your not "gripping" the handle, let if float to align with the angle of your fingers. If it doesnt go away in a few days, Id lay off the shooting for awhile. Thats what I did, along with a new tab and back to 3 under.

[tradshooter]

I don't know what poundage your bow is, but 100 arrows in one go round (unless you spread it out over the day) is a lot of shooting, if your just getting back into it. Don't over do it and hurt yourself. If a finger is hanging up on your release that could definitely strain a tendon or nerve. Good luck, I hope you get it figured out.

[DaveKing]

This thread has been very useful and instructional for me, thanks to all for the assistance.

The last set of tips seems to be helping a good bit.  My finger is not nearly as numb as it has been in the past.  I believe the extra rotation of my hand is helping the most and the effort to relax my 4th(R) finger helping some too.

A trip to the doctor is not in order nor warranted.  I'll be told to stop doing whatever is causing it and it'll eventually go away, a "tincture of time" treatment.

 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1862764/pdf/canmedaj01357-0066.pdf

I'm primarily shooting a #45 Hoyt Dorado.  I shoot in six arrow sets with a set taking about two minutes -> time flies and it doesn't take long to burn up a half hour or longer.

I often make a video during the shooting, the little Sony CyberShot stops the video at about 30 minutes (it gets bored I guess).