Bow draw

Lore & Background

The pinch draw squeezes the end of the arrow between the thumb and index finger. Most people use this draw naturally when they first start shooting. This is often called the "primary draw/release"; the advantage of this draw is that the release is very clean; when the pull reaches a certain point, friction can no longer hold the arrow and it flies free. However, this release prevents the drawing of a stiff bow unless the archer possesses enormous strength in the fingers. It is now of historical interest, but was widespread in traditional archery in the Americas and is seen (with the Mediterranean draw) in the earlier Assyrian reliefs of Ashurnasirpal II. Among Greek archers it was probably the most common draw until the end of the Classical period. Variations include the secondary release, where the forefinger and thumb pinch the arrow end as in the primary release while the middle and ring fingers hold the string; this form may be used by Scythian archers depicted on Greek black-figure pottery, and by an Amazon depicted about 450–400 BCE. The tertiary release further develops this: the forefinger not only presses on the arrow end, but also grasps the string. A Scythian is depicted using this draw about 500–450 BCE. These variants were also used in the Americas, appear on the reliefs of Sennacherib, and have been described from Thailand and the Andaman Islands.

The Mediterranean draw is accomplished by the forefinger on the string above the arrow, and the middle and ring finger on the string below the arrow. The arrow is normally placed on the left side of the bow for right handed archers and on the right side for left handed archers. The modern thought on the draw is to keep effort in the hand at a minimum. The only work the hand has to do is the effort required to keep the bowstring on the fingers. The wrist is to be either straight or flexed away from the archer. This allows for the least tension in the hand, and thus a faster relaxation of the hand at release. This generally results in a more accurate and consistent shot. The nock of the arrow is held on the bowstring between the forefinger and middle finger to help stabilize the arrow before loosing. The Mediterranean draw and its variants are the main traditional form in Europe; it is also native to the Middle East, appearing on Assyrian carvings at all periods. The Hadza, who do not use quivers, may hold other arrows with the free thumb and little finger. Variations include the two-finger draw (Flemish or Hungarian draw), which may allow for a cleaner release but puts more pressure on the two fingers. It is common in Hungarian archery and is taught by several prominent modern teachers of traditional horse and foot archery techniques. The two-finger draw in its Hungarian form can be found in historical records into antiquity amongst Scythian archery and through into the Middle Ages in eastern European manuscripts and art. Barebow and longbow archers often use "three under", with the index, middle and ring fingers all below the arrow. An Asiatic variation (the long Sassanid draw) uses only the middle and ring fingers on the string underneath the arrow using a specialised finger tab, with the index finger used to stabilise the arrow during the draw but not touching the string.

The thumb draw uses only the thumb, the strongest single digit, to grasp the string. The index and/or middle fingers close over the outside of the thumb to reinforce the grip. This is often called the "Mongolian draw/release", but it is traditional for all ethnicities across the Asian steppes, extending to Korea, China, Russia, Persia and Turkey. It is typically used with a thumb ring for protection of the thumb pad and joints. It was also used by Ishi, the last of the Yahi, with his short bows. This draw was also used by the Romans and Byzantines, and it is mentioned in Byzantine manuals. It gives a narrower grip on the string, as only one digit is used, and this may help to avoid "string pinch" with shorter bows such as the composite bows normally used from horseback. Additionally, the pressure exerted on the arrow from the index finger holds the arrow to the right side of the bow (for right handed shooters). This is especially useful for mounted archers as the bouncing from the horse would otherwise cause the arrow to flop around. It may also avoid a problem occasionally faced by archers using the Mediterranean release, when the three fingers do not release at exactly the same time and thus foul the draw. It also positions the string further back in the hand, allowing a longer draw, all else being equal. This release is normally used with the arrow on the right side of the bow for a right-handed archer, and on the left side of the bow for a left-handed archer. Traditional Japanese archery uses a unique type of thumb draw called torikake. It employs a three or four-fingered leather glove with a grooved piece of horn sewn into the crouch of the thumb. The draw starts with the thumb wrapping around the string just below the nocking point so the string seats in the horn groove. Then the index finger, middle finger and (in some styles) ring finger bend down and squeeze the string against the thumb groove. The Japanese draw tends to be very long compared to Western styles, pulling several inches past the archer's ear.

Reader's Guide

The choice of bow draw has significant implications for archery practice, equipment, and historical tradition. The Mediterranean draw, dominant in modern Olympic target archery and traditional European archery, is valued for its accuracy and consistency when executed with minimal hand tension. Its variants, such as the two-finger Hungarian draw and the three-under method, serve specific purposes: the Hungarian draw is widespread in Eastern European archery, particularly for mounted and foot use, while three-under facilitates instinctive shooting and string walking for barebow and longbow archers. The thumb draw, by contrast, is the dominant form across Asia, from Korea to Turkey, and is closely associated with mounted archery due to its ability to prevent arrow flopping and avoid string pinch on shorter composite bows. Its use by Romans, Byzantines, and the Yahi people demonstrates its historical breadth. The pinch draw, though now of historical interest, was widespread in the Americas and among early Greek and Assyrian archers, and its variants appear in Scythian, Thai, and Andaman Island traditions. Protective equipment varies by draw type: shooting gloves or finger tabs for Mediterranean draws, thumb rings or leather tabs for thumb draws, and the specialized Japanese yugake glove for torikake. Since the 1980s, mechanical releases have become popular for compound bows, offering a cleaner release and eliminating finger strength requirements, though finger releases remain mandatory for non-compound bows in most tournaments, including those under World Archery. The legacy of these draw methods is preserved in historical art, from Assyrian reliefs to Greek pottery, and in the continued practice of traditional archery worldwide.

Did You Know?

• The pinch draw is often called the 'primary draw/release' because most people use it naturally when first starting archery.
• The thumb draw is also known as the Mongolian draw/release and is traditional across the Asian steppes, including Korea, China, Russia, Persia, and Turkey.
• The Japanese thumb draw, torikake, uses a leather glove with a grooved piece of horn sewn into the thumb to hold the string.
• The two-finger Mediterranean variant is called the 'Flemish release' in the West and the 'Hungarian draw' in Eastern Europe.