Question for three under shooters

[Easykeeper]

Shooting three under, which of your fingers holds the most weight?  

I've been working on learning to shoot three under for about a year now after shooting split since I started as a small boy.  When I shot split, my middle (driving     ) finger held the most weight, index next, and the ring finger there but mostly just along for the ride.  I'm not yet convinced three under is for me, I like some things about it but it still doesn't feel natural.  Hard to change forty year old habits.

Seems like you would want the finger right under the nock to hold the most weight.  Holding the weight on my index finger doesn't feel comfortable though, even though the bow is quieter when I do.  All of my bows are tillered for split.

Break down what's happening with your fingers and grip for me.  I'd like to hear how you hold the string.

[momo]

when i shoot three under it was the middle finger also then index and so onbut im not say it right thats just me i switched to spilt from three under

[mahantango]

I'm also working on changing to 3-under after 40 years of shooting split. The jury is still out, but I'm starting to like it. I find the weight distribution to be a little more on the index, then middle and very little on the ring finger.

[Easykeeper]

I'm with you on being undecided.  Maybe it's just hard to change old habits.  If I take most of the weight on my index finger the bow is quieter, so that makes me think the system is more efficient.

[hockey7]

I think the most of my strength is in my index and middle finger so the string rests on these two primarily, but I try to put equal weight on all three, since three will carry the load easier than two.
I also try to put the string in the middle of my finger pads, not in the first joint, but between the tip of my fingers and the first joint. This gives me the smoothest and cleanest release...hard to do though.

[68_super_k]

my style is similar to that of hockey7 in terms of string placement on my fingers, however most of the weight is actually carried on my middle finger and then distributed evenly through the other two.  I'm not sure that this is how it should be but it seems to be how it is for me.  I have noticed that when I used to shoot split all the wear was on my middle and bottom finger with very little being on the index finger.  Hope this helps a little.  Just seems to be my middle finger doing most of the work...(uh that sounded bad but you know what I mean.)

[momo]

i use to shoot three under and switch to split.i just got rid of a nice bow i bought because it was tillered for  three finger under  i wasnt about to change  i belive the middle finger doing most of the work on split and middle and pointer equal on three under with ring finger for the ride i think i just feel more pinch

[chuckbow]

just enough on  all three to keep the string on , i cant tell any diff on one or the other, chuck

[Jorja Boy]

Thanks for starting this conversation. I just started learning archery. I was over bowed with just a 50 lb martin savannah. I noticed my string hand was trying to ball up in a fist during last few inches of draw, causing me to torque the string inward on the index finger side of my hand. I read this post today *cough* during work *cough* . Drew my brand new 46 lb. Toelke Lynx and noticed the same thing happening. With this thread in the back of my mind, I tried shooting while transferring the majority of the pressure from my index finger to my middle finger. Instant fix. Thing is, I had been trying to fix this string torquing problem for several days. Trying to consciously refrain from bending the first knuckles was not working. Reading 68_Super_K's reply fixed it. Made a big difference in my accuracy and confidence. The fact that I switched to this amazing Lynx might be a factor too. This is my first step in the right direction. With only 6 months or so lurking in these forums, two bows and two shooting sessions. Thanks y'all.

[smokin joe]

The middle finger seems to be a little stronger and I let it do the work it wants to do. I also try not to think too much about anything my string hand does except the act of getting a good anchor. When I over thing things everything gets awkward and jerky and my shooting goes down the drain for a while.

The old Howard Hill trick of letting your ring finger start the release seems to work well for me with 3-under shooting.

[fatzboys]

i shoot 3 under.i would say same amount on all three but my middle finger is curled around the string more than the other.relaxed is whats helping me.

I try my best to keep equal pressure across all three fingers from the time I address the string thru going to conclusion.

[MAT]

I put most of the pressure on my bottom finger.  I actually relax my index finger and almost point it at the target.  I played around with shooting thru paper and this gave nme the best arrow flight.  Even though you shoot 3 under you can still pinch the nock, and bend your arrow down same as split.

BTW - The strongest finger on your hand is your pinky. Try to twist off a bottle cap with your other fingers sometime.

[HenrikBP]

My release and arrow flight *seems* to be better when I put most pressure on the middle finger, a bit less on the index finger, and the ring finger is mostly along for the ride and maybe help align my hand.

For me, too much ring finger seems to make me torque and pluck the string.

[Easykeeper]

Originally posted by HenrikBP:
My release and arrow flight *seems* to be better when I put most pressure on the middle finger, a bit less on the index finger, and the ring finger is mostly along for the ride and maybe help align my hand.

For me, too much ring finger seems to make me torque and pluck the string.

This is pretty much what I've found over the last few weeks too.  I'm better off just keeping the feel in my fingers the same as when I shot split.  Deep hook with the heaviest load on my middle finger, least on my ring finger.  It feels natural and it's consistent.  

Just wish I could get the same soft and quiet shot out of the bow shooting three under as I can shooting split.  Always a little more buzz and vibration shooting three under for me.

[Atennishu]

for me the most pressure is on the middle and then the ring, I seem to shoot better with a relaxed index finger as I seem to be softer on the nock with it,

[DEP]

When I switched to 3 under I found myself pointing my fingers down on about a 30 degree angle. This just seemed natural, and I think I had been doing it for some time before I noticed. I didn't do this when I shot split. I hook to the first joint and don't curl my fingers any more than necessary. I still shoot a few split once in a while just to compare the two methods.  I don't notice any of my four bows making more noise when shot 3 under.

[Robert Armstrong]

I put most weight on the middle finger also. With middle finger pulled back slightly to line up grooves at finger joint with the other two fingers. Using a thin tab to feel the string.