Stance before the draw: the index finger keeps the arrow in position on the handle of the bow.

Full draw with extended anchor point.

In the third article of his series on the archer’s thumb ring, Johnny Snyman continues his discussion of shooting technique using the ring – including the types of arrows that can be used.

Any type of arrow – wood, carbon or alloy – can be used with the thumb ring. An important aspect however is to start out using arrows with snap-on nocks. When first getting all the initial stages of the technique under the belt, there is a tendency for the thumb hold to slip the arrow nock off the string, which could lead to dry firing of the bow. Snap-on nocks will prevent this to a large extent and will help you focus on all the other aspects of the technique. Once you have reached a proficient level of shooting, arrows with any type of nock can be used.

Fletching
The thumb and index finger next to the arrow cover a space of around 1½ inches next to the rear end of the arrow shaft. If you fletch your own arrows, see to it that the fletching is secured somewhat more forward than usually. If you are shooting your arrows directly off the hand, the leading edges of the feather quill or base of your fletches should be trimmed to create a smooth transition with the arrow shaft.

One method to do this is to use the smooth surface of the field point on another arrow and with firm pressure smooth the quill’s leading edge with a rolling action of the point. Another method is to trim the quill at an acute angle, using a sharp blade, before neatly binding the leading edges using thin thread sealed with superglue.

Draw length
While you can opt to use your current draw length or anchor point, using the thumb release technique gives you the option of readily increasing your draw length. This is mostly due to the fact that the hand is angled at a different position as opposed to shooting with the various finger-release methods. With the thumb-release method, the hand is very much angled to the same position as with the compound bow using a mechanical release aid. The increase of draw length can be advantageous to lady traditional archers and to gentlemen having short draw lengths. Provided the bow you are using is designed to be drawn to further than conventional draw lengths, using the thumb release also adds to the dynamics of the bow.

For traditional archers with long draw lengths who shoot bows in the conventional way, the thumb-release method may however pose a problem should they desire to increase their draw lengths. If you qualify in this category, the best would be to stick to your current anchor point and adapt a comfortable shooting form from which you will benefit best. One of my archer friends, Tony Johnston, has this problem. Tony, being a giant of a man, is not exactly the shortest of traditional archers. His normal draw length when shooting with fingers is 30 inches, but when he shoots using the thumb-release technique, his draw length increases towards 34 inches. Tony’s quest and search for the ultimate long arrow shaft continues as this writing is in progress…

Questions and Answers
Question: How accurate is the thumb-release technique?
Answer: Once mastered, the technique is just as accurate as when one shoots the bow instinctively in the conventional way.

Question: I am a right-handed archer new to the thumb release. Why are my arrows consistently grouping to the right?
Answer: When we shoot instinctively using the bow in the conventional way, the brain has already “stored” our bow arm’s pointing references by default. By repetition of technique, the human body develops sufficient muscle memory. This information has also been stored by the brain, so after continuous repetition it becomes a natural reflex – much like driving a car. So with the thumb release, when we change the arrow position to the opposite side of the bow handle, the brain automatically tries to override the new sight picture (of an omitted arrow) the eye is seeing and subconsciously wants to compensate. Let your instinct override the message your brain is emitting by making a conscious effort to compensate the windage of the bow arm. Before you know it, your arrows will begin to go where you want them to go. A good tip is to stand about five yards from your archery butt and shoot in low light, using one arrow only. Stump shooting also takes the mind off centering the arrow into a two-dimensional target.

Question: Is there any initial discomfort associated when learning to shoot with the thumb ring?
Answer: Yes. During the initial stages of getting acquainted with the thumb ring, the thumb joint will not be used to the different strain. Minimal swelling of the joint or numbness is normal. But the body adapts quickly to changes and slipping the thumb ring over the thumb will soon become second nature to you. Starting out with a bow of too high a draw weight will certainly cause you great discomfort. Therefore it is best to train in the technique at first using a bow with a lower draw weight of around 25 to 30 pounds.
The fit of the thumb ring is also an important factor. When the thumb ring fits nicely it really is a pleasure to use. The improper fit of thumb rings has led to the misconception that the technique is very uncomfortable, period. When a thumb ring is too loose-fitting, it will slide around the thumb and will cause inaccuracy and inconsistent release. You also run the risk of losing the thumb ring as it might slip off the thumb during the shot. On the other hand, a thumb ring with an overly tight fit will also cause discomfort. Remedy a loose-fitting thumb ring by glueing a thin piece of soft leather padding on the inside of the ring as well as on the inside of the horn pad. (See the next issue of ABH, in which all the details of thumb-ring construction will be discussed).

Question: Can I use a normal thumb ring I brought from a flea market or jewelry shop?
Answer: No. Most thumb rings for archery have a narrow lip just ahead of the edge of the ring in front of the thumb joint. This is the lip in which the bowstring is secured. The horn pad supports the thumb and protects the skin against the friction of the string. A normal ring will cause you great discomfort.
Question: Can I use the thumb-release technique without a thumb ring?

Answer: With bows having a light draw weight this can be done, but with heavier draw-weight bows, the strain created by the bowstring in the bare thumb joint will be very unpleasant, making it impossible to consistently draw and shoot heavy bows accurately.

Question: With the thumb ring, which bow weights can be used?
Answer: Once mastered, any bow weight can be used. Early Turkish archers used composite war bows with draw weights in excess of 130 pounds. These highly reflexed bows could handle both light and heavy war arrows with great efficiency. Turkish flight shooting (distance shooting) records are documented for distances of 1 220 gez (810.48 metres). The Turkish flight shooters used the thumb ring to draw these heavy bows.

Question: I am a right-handed archer; can I use the thumb-release technique with a conventional longbow or recurve that has the arrow shelf on the left side of the bow?
Answer: No. The primary function of the index finger curling over the thumb joint is to create the lock. The finger’s secondary function is to hold the arrow securely in place against the right-hand side of the bow handle. Should the arrow be placed on the left side of the bow handle, the index finger will push the arrow off the bow shelf.

Question: When I use the thumb ring there is an audible “click” sound as I release the arrow. What is the cause of this?
Answer: There are two possible causes. The thumb ring fits too loosely over the thumb, causing interference with the release of the string, or the timing of the release – the moment when the index finger relaxes over the thumb joint ­– is out of sync with the arrow being freed from the locked position. The index finger and thumb should open simultaneously for a clean and crisp release.

Question: My arrow keeps falling off the side of the bow during the draw. How do I remedy this?
Answer: The index finger plays an important role in keeping the arrow in place on the bow hand or bow handle. Only gentle inward pressure of the index finger towards the bow handle is required to keep this from happening. If done correctly, the bow can be canted to any degree without the arrow falling from the bow handle.

Question: As I draw the bow, the nock of my arrrow slips off the string. What is the cause of this?
Answer: Using snap-on nocks at first will prevent this from happening. Another cause may be that your thumb is curled too far around the bowstring. The thumb ring only needs to hold the bowstring in place within the narrow lip – the index finger does the rest of the work in securing the lock.

Question: How far below the nocked arrow should I lock my thumb?
Answer: The lock is formed directly below the arrow nock.

Question: Should I nock my arrows below or above the nock point on the bowstring?
Answer: Below the nock point works best. A double nock point can also be used. Nocking the arrow above the nock point might cause it to slip upwards during the draw.

Question: Does the “cock feather out” rule of placing the arrow on the string also apply when using the thumb-release method?
Answer: Yes. The only difference is that your arrow’s cock feather will be placed facing to the right, in other words, away from the bow handle. The opposite will apply for left-handed shooters. Using a four-fletch arrow also makes nocking the arrow to the string simpler.

Step forward
Shooting with the thumb-release method certainly isn’t for everyone, but it can be mastered by anyone willing to use it as a stepping stone to broaden his or her archery skills. So ultimately it’s not really so much about change, it’s about the many satisfying aspects of shooting traditional bows, and there remains one special element in traditional archery that any avid traditional archer will irrevocably vouch for and which can be summarised in one word – freedom. Once freedom becomes the common ground of any healthy activity, little ideas follow which in turn creates within us the ability to dream. Ever wondered what brings grown men to a point where they would grab a filled leather quiver, pick up a bow and take off to the woods just to “play” bows and arrows? And why would many of us go to the ends of meticulously planning a bowhunt?

In today’s times we certainly don’t need to hunt, as meat for human consumption is readily available, the anti-hunting critics say. So why do we do it? Could “playing bows and arrows” merely be a way to escape from our modern society’s woes and trappings, or does this unexplainable urge to shoot the traditional bow and to follow the path of an arrow’s flight in total amazement have far deeper roots?
We shoot traditional bows because we still have the ability to dream, and for as long as a man has a dream, he has the grace of a king, and the humility of a servant willing to learn. It is then when freedom becomes the limitless boundaries of his kingdom.

May he who finds solace in this writing be blessed with the willingness to leave the shade of the family tree, for it is unto his face that the sun will gently shine.

Updated: Monday, February 15, 2010 12:33 PM