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View Full Version : Few questions on shooting a longbow...


Oggi
09-26-2006, 03:30 AM
Hey guys...

I just came into possesion of a beautiful trad. longbow (Kesimir made it for me :D, pics will be posted) and I'm trying to do some traditional archery (key word is "trying" :new_rofl:) Apart from having my left forarm bludgeoned to death by the string, i can't seem to make a clean release... The group on target is OK for a beginner, but arrow flight is terrible!!! It is as if the arrow is being hit by some invisible broom all the way to the target!! :new_rofl:
I would appreciate any comments on this...
Razorhead
11-23-2006, 08:20 AM
1. Don't palm the bow

2. It's not so much "letting go" as it is "quit holding on"

3. Very possible arrows don't match the bow (spine) or could be your release, or it could be the tune of the bow (yes, you do have to tune stickbows). Try to fix one thing at a time. You know your release is crappy, fix that first.
skeaterbait
12-06-2006, 01:25 PM
How deep are you getting your fingers on the string? I had trouble for a while because I was grabbing too shallow. It sounded strange to me then and still does, but my releases improved when I started putting the string at the first knuckle joint instead of out towards my finger tips.

And as stated, your fingers will never move faster than the string so just relax and let the string release itself.
skeaterbait
12-06-2006, 01:26 PM
Whew, I just looked at the dates on these posts. We need more trad people out here.
Oggi
12-07-2006, 08:25 AM
than you can imagine how long i waited for a reply! :)
Thanx, I'll try that finger thing...
Tejas Raz
12-07-2006, 06:36 PM
I DO wish we had more traditional shooters here on ASN, but alas... all these folks can think about are them funny wheel bows! Hey, they're fun too, but I sure do enjoy my stick n string!
xring
12-08-2006, 01:33 AM
How deep are you getting your fingers on the string? I had trouble for a while because I was grabbing too shallow. It sounded strange to me then and still does, but my releases improved when I started putting the string at the first knuckle joint instead of out towards my finger tips.

And as stated, your fingers will never move faster than the string so just relax and let the string release itself.


I am good friends with a couple people who have trained a few years at the olympic training center and deeper in the glove or tab is preached. It will actually provide a better release because the hand (or muscles in the hand) are holding less tension which in turn accounts for the improved release.
Oggi
12-08-2006, 07:06 AM
I tried to hook the string deeper, and allso I tried to lean foreword a little bit, and it actually worked! :) It still isen't perfect, but with a little practise and proper arrows I think that will be it.
Thanx guys!! :D
Razorhead
12-31-2006, 01:00 PM
Whew, I just looked at the dates on these posts. We need more trad people out here.

I do't make it over here very often, I have a pretty full plate these days..

but my email is public, and you are welcome to use it..
donw
05-24-2008, 10:28 AM
dang! this is an old thread...but...what the heck...

longbows/recurves are a differfent world than the wheeled world insofaras form is concerned; i'm sure you've found that out by now.

if the string is "biting" your forearm, it's because you have a low brace heigth on your bow and/or you have your bow arm in the wrong position.

howard hill said the proper grip for the straight handled long bow is "just like one would grasp a suitcase handle"

i use the three fingers under release and shoot a minimum bow length of 62" for a recurve and 64" for a longbow and i believe that makes it easier all around.