How do you draw your bow?

Bow Pushing Posture

There are three types of bow pushing methods

High Pushing Method

The high pushing method, also known as the tiger's mouth pushing method, is a bow pushing method centered on the tiger's mouth. Holding the bow and arrow, the base of the palm of the hand pushing the bow is almost below the zygomatic bone against the bow handle. This is the high pushing method.       In this posture, the arm is almost straight, and the elbow is slightly bent, forming a relatively stable triangular support structure, just like a solid "small frame" for the bow. Its biggest advantage is that it allows the force to be transmitted along the arm in a straight line, and the force is extremely smooth. For novices, it is easier to master the balance of force. When aiming, the line of sight is less disturbed because the arm is raised high, the field of vision is wide, and the bull's eye can be clearly seen. In casual archery activities or beginner courses, the high pushing method is quite popular. However, if you keep this posture for a long time, your arms will easily become sore. After all, it is always raised, and the muscle load is not small, so you should pay attention to proper rest.

Medium Pushing Method

A bow pushing method centered on the thenar eminence. The base of the palm is about between the chin and the clavicle, which is at a "golden section" position that is neither too high nor too low. The elbow is moderately bent, about 120° - 140°. The beauty of this angle is that it not only retains a certain power transmission efficiency, but also saves more effort than the high push method. The body is slightly leaning forward, and with this posture, the center of gravity of the whole person is distributed harmoniously. The middle push method has super compatibility. Whether it is a traditional bow, a recurve bow, or a compound bow, it can be "seamlessly connected" and adapted to various archery scenes. In daily practice and small competitions, most players will prefer this stable and practical middle push method, which is an all-round player who can "attack or defend".

Low push method

A method of pushing the bow with the base of the palm as the center. The base of the archer's palm is directly under the clavicle, close to the chest. This is the unique "stance" of the low push method. The elbow is bent sharply, with an angle close to 90°, just like holding the bow tightly in the arms. When this posture is used to exert force, it uses more muscle strength in the chest and shoulders, and the explosive power is sufficient, which is especially suitable for pulling heavy bows or pursuing long-distance precision strikes. Moreover, because the arm is close to the body, the stability is better in mobile shooting and windy environments, just like installing a "stabilizer" on the arrow.But the disadvantages are also obvious. The line of sight is seriously obstructed, and the difficulty of aiming is increased. The shooter needs to have super muscle memory and spatial perception, so it is generally a "secret weapon" for high-level players in specific scenarios.

The focus point and wrist position of the archer

The focus point of the archer is extremely important for achieving stable results. A focus point that is too low or too high, too outside or too inside will cause problems. The more commonly used method now is the middle push method, which is more conducive to the relaxation and stability of the archer.

Bow holding arm

The bow holding arm is the connecting rod that transfers the load to the shoulder after the bow is pulled open. The inner side of the elbow joint is basically perpendicular to the ground, which makes the arrangement of skeletal muscles in the arm reach the most powerful combination.

How to hook the string

The hook is done by the index finger, middle finger and ring finger.
Depending on the size of each person's fingers, the strength of the index finger and ring finger can vary, but the middle finger must bear at least 50% to 60% of the strength.
When practicing, you must proceed step by step. First, get familiar with the power transmission from the high push method, and then slowly try the middle push method and the low push method. Before each bow push, first practice with your hands for a few times to find the muscle memory point. You can practice in front of a mirror and observe your posture from all directions. If there are any minor problems such as shrugging shoulders and crooked elbows, correct them in time.