Where'd your "loose" come from?

[smj]

The Feb/Mar issue of Tradtional Bowhunter has an article titled "The Ancient and Modern Loose." The reference is to a paper by Edward S. Morse, 1922. The paper is Additional Notes on Arrow Release. I have found a web link to this paper, and am posting it here for your enjoyment. It turns out that the "loose" - or release - has been around about as long as bows and arrows (go figure) and there is actually some debate about what is and is not really "traditional." Some shoots only allow certain styles... SO, I thought we might want to know what the basic styles are in case we show up to a shoot some time and get told only Tertiary release style is allowed...

www.archerylibrary.com/books/morse/docs/notes01.html

[trap4life]

That is pretty interesting, I never even gave it a second thought about how to hold the string . I thought everyone used 3 fingers , with either one over the knock or all three under. I always wondered what the thumb ring was used for. Thanks for posting that article smj.

[dinosaur]

I've always used the "Apache Grip": index finger over, middle and next finger under. When shooting, I have always referred to the release as loosing. You don't shoot an arrow. You loose it. You are still taking a shot but the nomenclature is the exact opposite of shooting a gun.

When shooting a gun, one is required to sight and then squeeze the trigger, generally with the index finger used independantly from the rest of the hand. It is a learned approach and, if done properly, the gun will go off as a susprise while one is concentrating on the target and keeping the aim correct.

Archery, on the other hand, is a matter of choice. The energy is created from one's muscles and bone structure. The concentration of aim remains the same, but the release, or loose, is entirely up to the shooter. There is no surprise. You know exactly when the arrow leaves the rest.

If you don't believe me, think again. Firearms are awesome weapons. I'm very good with them. Part of what I teach those who aspire to be expert is that the gun must surprise you when it goes off, if you are to be accurate at range. You concentrate, relax, and squeeze with that one finger. Archery is a matter of pulling through the string and releasing your hold on the potential energy you have created by drawing the weapon. It is almost the exact opposite of shooting a gun.

With a bow, you release the energy with your fingers. With a gun, you forcibly release a spring that, in turn, pushes a pin toward an explosive primer that contacts and activates a small explosion that then ignites a charge of various types of chemicals that subsequently produces a massive and violent venting of energy which pushes a projectile of your choosing down a tube aimed at your target. This all happens very quickly and it is rather gratifying when the target is breached. Be that as it may, there is nothing like putting an arrow through your potential dinner. In hunting, there is no greater thrill than taking food with two sticks and a string.

[BT]

I used the thumb ring back in the early 70's and it was very effective...but I always got stung by the end of my thumb against my cheek...so I let it go early.
I started shooting 2 fingers and shot that way for many years until I was told that I was doing it wrong.
Should have stuck to what worked....the three fingers was not nearly as fluid and caused me to miss a deer that same year that I adopted that style.

[voodoofire1]

I've shot split two all my shooting life....more than 40 years and I'll never change. anyone make 2 finger gloves?, I've been making my own.

[akdd]

I have been shooting spit finger one over and two under.

[dinosaur]

One over and two under is pretty standard. But it doesn't work for everybody. It's a stick and a string. Go with what works for you and you will be fine.