split finger help

[Vabowman]

began shooting split this week and I what I noticed is that if I apply too much tension on the string with my index finger (top) above the nock, I shoot awful. If I apply most of the pressure with middle and ring finger and just a tiny bit from the index I shoot way better. For you split guys, are yall apply equal pressure with all fingers or like Im doing? I have no idea what is correct. Thanks

[the rifleman]

When i shoot split i use the Toelke technique.  My index finger is not actively pulling, but rests on the string pointing forward along the nock.  Most of the pressure rides on middle finger.

[Bisch]

I shoot split, and have way less pressure on the top finger than the bottom two.

Bisch

[Vabowman]

ok, good. so Im doing that..although many times as I go to draw the arrow wants to come off the shelf to the side...what is causing that? This is the most fun and the most frustrating thing to shoot. There are times in each session that I feel like giving up. I feel like I will never have the mechanics to do this.. very discouraging at times

[Pat B]

Sounds like you're gripping the string and not making a hook with your fingers and pulling straight back. When the arrow falls off the string while drawing it is usually the draw hand squeezing shut, turning the string and pulling the arrow in that direction. Have you tried a deep hook with the string between the first and second joint of your fingers. Seems like your finger tips would get in the way but you can get a smoother release with it.

[Bisch]

If you are pulling the arrow off the shelf, there’s a good chance you have too much pressure against the nock. If you are shooting with a tab, try one with a finger separator. If you are using a glove, you are just going to have to learn to not pinch the nock with your fingers as you draw the bow.

Bisch

[Vabowman]

shooting a glove, calf hair..it's a bit thick, but what I noticed is, if I only pull with the bottom two fingers and let my index just rest over the nock it doesn't happen. So it is defiantly my draw hand closing or pinching the nock.. I also seem to shoot better if I just don't think about it and look at the target in one natural motion...to be honest, I don't know if I am aiming, pointing or instinctively shooting...there so much going through my brain every shot I don't recall any of it..but I would say that if I take 10 shots from 12-13 yards 6-7 will be in the vitals, 1-2 just outside and 1-2 miss the target completely.. 

[McDave]

The other thing that can cause you to put too much pressure on the nock is when your string elbow is too high.  You can learn to be aware of how much pressure you are putting on the nock by just focusing on it as you draw the bow.  If you notice you are putting too much pressure on the nock, try lowering your string elbow a little and see if the index finger pressure goes away.  Don't lower your string elbow too much or you'll start shooting high, just enough to take the pressure off the nock from your index finger.

A lot of your wild shots probably result from a loss of concentration.  Don't shoot too many shots from the same place; move around from shot to shot.  When you feel like you're losing concentration, rest your mind for a while.

I think from the variety of questions you've been asking, you may be over thinking things a bit.  All of your questions have been courteous, and we certainly don't mind trying to answer them.  However, for your own good, just go out and shoot a hundred arrows or so without worrying about it.  What I mean by that is, try to be as aware as you can of what's going on without trying to correct anything: just pay attention to what's happening, non-judgementally.

[Vabowman]

That's great advice Bisch. You have no idea how much I admire guys like you in this site. Im a bit of an extremist and yes I do over think everything...

[Orion]

Reread what Pat B said.  You're probably gripping/closing the drawing hand as you draw, pulling the arrow off the shelf.  Your bow hand fingers, if they move at all, should move in just the opposite direction.  The draw should come straight back, of course, but if anything, your string fingers should relax/unfold a little as you draw/reach anchor.

Folks new to finger shooting often fear that the arrow is going to fall off the shelf so they grip the string/nock ever tighter, which exacerbates rather than relieves the problem.

Regarding the amount of pressure applied by the top finger.  For me, it's doing as much work as the bottom two fingers. The reason you don't pull the arrow off the bow when you just let the index finger sit on the string is it's a lot more difficult/uncomfortable to "grip"/close those two lower fingers on the string unless you also close the top one.

All this being said, i agree you should just shoot a bit and not worry about where you hit. Before too long, you'll develop a feel for how to hold the string.

[Vabowman]

orion, what really disappoints me is that 2 years ago I was shooting pretty darn good and in the 2 year lay off I lost almost all I had learned and now Im starting over again...but I have to remind myself there is no rush no matter how bad I want this

[Pat B]

Concentrate on where the arrow will go, to that spot. If you have practiced enough your muscle memory and sub conscience will take care of everything else. Worrying about if you are hitting anchor, gripping the string, correct stance or whatever will steal your concentration. Without that concentration you are just flinging arrows. Take one shot and concentrate completely on where the arrow WILL go and it will!

[Captain*Kirk]

Can't say as I ever thought about it. I am committed to using the 'deep hook' and getting a solid three point anchor which seems to iron out the inconsistencies (when I listen to my own advice)

[Petrichor]

Two thoughts on this topic.

I have tried many shooting techniques. But switching and changing all the time will never give good results. If you are instinctive you are not giving your mind time to adjust and that's assuming your form is good, you will fail to achieve consistency. If you are some other method you are changing points of aim each time you move something.  Consistent shooting starts with being consistent. Pick a comfortable.method and stick with it for a season. Re evaluate in the off season if you want to change something. 

Thought number two.  You are thinking to much. Shoot. Just shoot.  Archery like golf is so complex that if you think of everything you need to do to shoot an accurate shot, you end up missing.  Stop thinking so much now. There will be time later.

[Vabowman]

yeh, im certainly thinking wat too much about it

[Roy from Pa]

Instead of shooting targets all the time, do some stump shooting.

Rove through the woods shooting at stumps, clumps of dirt, etc at unknown distances.

Just relax your brain and have fun.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself.

[Crooked Stic]

Were you shooting 3 under before? If so how come you changed. I would say a tab with a separator would help you. And do what Roy said. He is a expert at brain relaxing. Well cause his is small   

[Pat B]

Come on, Stic. This is a way more serious problem than Roy's small brain. He's already learned to deal with that. 

[Petrichor]

I second the stumping idea. It's probably the most fun thing you can do with a bow.  Take arrows you dont care about.  I also thought you were shooting 3 under not two days ago?

[paradocs]

I was shooting great until I started reading your posts...now I'm all screwed up . I agree; thinking too much, you are. Too wet to get much mowing done, so if you're free, come on over and I'll try to get us both sorted out.