Three fingers under problem

[medicineman]

I've been trying three fingers under.   When my index finger touches the bottom of the arrow often times as I draw the arrow falls off the shelf.   Is this normal and how do I correct it?   I don't like to look down, I just put my fingers on the string and slide them up.".      Thanks, Dale

[Rob DiStefano]

with 3fu style of string grip, the nock must lightly snap onto the center serving.

[DannyBows]

I use two nocks, tied on adjustable ones. I nock the arrow, then place my fingers where they will be throughout the shot sequence. No sliding my fingers on the string. I expect you are bumping or pinching the nock against the nock-point.

Also, by having the arrow between 2 nock points it won't slide down. This way I don't have to squeeze it against the nock point. I leave a small gap between my finger and the arrow. As Rob said, the nock must snap onto the serving, lightly. If it's too tight arrow flight will be affected.

A bonus for me with 2 nock points is when an arrow nock is a little loose, I can give the bottom one a slight twist, which pushes it against the arrow nock to hold it in place.

Don't forget that if your finger is against the arrow nock at the start of the shot sequence, it will squeeze it as you draw and the string angle increases. That's why I leave a small gap, by the time I get to full-draw, my finger is just lightly touching the arrow nock.

[Flingblade]

This happens to me as well when I don't take a deep enough hook with my fingers.  If you hook outside the last knuckle on the pads of the fingers your fingers when becoming tense will roll the string counter clockwise (for right handed shooter) which can cause the arrow to come off the shelf.  By taking a deeper hook (at or past the first knuckle) the fingers will roll the string  clockwise and keep the arrow tight to the shelf.  This has worked for me.  I also use two clamp on nocks - one above and one below the arrow.  When I switched to 3 under I started following Ricky Welch's shooting advice and he recommends gripping the string on the outer part of the finger pad, but this hasn't worked well for me yet.

[Huntschool]

Mine is kind of a combination of Robs and Danny's.  Been shootin Apache since the late 60's  

I use a clamp on nock above and a tied on one below the point.  The lower one for me is a pretty tight fit to my arrow nock.  I let my index finger touch the arrow nock from the start.  My "hook" is just shy of the first joint.  I have been shooting this way so long that I instinctively allign the joints and maintain equal pressure on the string with all three fingers. Practice, practice...

[Bjorn]

As I read this medicine man is having problems at the shelf not the nock.
You are rotating your string hand counter clockwise (if you are a rightie) swinging the shaft off the shelf. Try pulling straight back and also try keeping the string a little closer towards the finger tips if you are past the first knuckle. Canting the bow will help too.  

[medicineman]

I'm trying to understand this nock tightness issue mr rob-- are u saying if the nock is too tight this might be part of the problem?

[moebow]

Bjorn has it!  Medicine man, go to the "shooter's forum" and find my thread called "release tips".  That may give you an idea for your string hand/wrist.  The video shows me shooting split finger but it works just as well for 3 under.

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Flingbow has it right, " not hooking deep enough on your fingers".

[snag]

Listen to Bjorn.  

[medicineman]

Thanks.  I'll check the forum tonight. I do shoot right handed.     I recently went to Rick welch's class and had no problem with this there but do now.  Thanks

[Rob DiStefano]

at times i'll shoot "gun barrel" 2 fingers under the arrow (not 3 fingers).  with two fingers (middle and ring OR pointer and middle), there is no bottom limb tillering issue because as with with split finger, the vast majority of the load is still on yer "bird" or pointer finger.

to keep the arrow on the serving, i replace my "split finger" bowstring (with it's smaller diameter .019" halo center serving) with my "two finger" .024" halo center served bowstring.  this is enuf to keep bohning signature nocks on the string with my low string angle longbows.  i have no need for a nock point under the arrow, but that's just me.

as with most of this archery stuff, you'll need to see what works best for ya.  so for the hardware, you can trial a better/"tighter" nock to serving fit, as well as add on a bottom string nock point.  for the "software", experiment with different finger hook depths.

[medicineman]

Thanks,   I'll keep working at it

[Jerry Jeffer]

I'm with Bjorn as well.    

[Rob DiStefano]

oh!  arrow falling off the shelf!  what bjorn said!  geez, i need new glasses and a better brain.  :D

[arrow flynn]

I recently went to 3 under and at firstI  had a Similar problem but I compensated for it and it went away

[Tim Finley]

You are making a fist or curling your fingers as you draw and twisting the string pulling the arrow of the shelf, nock wont rotate on the string if your fingers are against it, hold your fingers straighter.

[metsastaja]

What bjorn said! Its all in your form.

[heydeerman]

The draw and anchor is in the whole hand and arm up to the elbow. It is more than your fingers. This is what I do.

First, if you take your draw hand and curl your three fingers only you will notice that you can still easily move your wrist. My goal is to get you to the point where your hand, wrist and fore-arm is firm as if you were getting ready to throw a punch. This will get your arm to line up in a straight line when you get to full draw.

Practice this by making a fist with the thumb on top of your hand
 

Then keeping the fingers in tight, extend the fingers like this...my fingers are not relaxed but tight as if there was a grip on the tips...
 

Then take the thumb and put it on the pinky covering the nail. You will notice tension in your hand and forearm and it should be difficult to move the wrist when everything is tight.
 

If you take your anchor hand and put it up against your face in this position you will notice the thumb on the pinky will probably line up with your jaw line. This gives you an anchor point.
 

With the fingers closed and the top or index in the corner of the mouth you will have two anchor points.
 

Upon release the finger just open and the tension in the arm up to the elbow will keep the hand closer to the face.
 

The fat lip is from Copenhagen and it is optional.

[medicineman]

Thanks for everyone's help!