I have posted this many times over the last 18 years, mostly on the shooters forum, but figured I'd post this again with pics in case someone needs this info in the future it can be referenced here on the Powwow... Since someone is having issues on another thread, it prompted me to post.

If you will consciously do this when you are shooting targets or bail work, it will soon become automatic.....

No one taught me this, or told me about this.... I got the idea years ago from shooting a really short bow that caused finger pinch..... and I incorporated into all of my shooting my shooting as I saw major benefits.  I began to knowingly 'Pre Set' my fingers prior to placing them on the string, which soon I was doing subconsciously.  Now I just do it as my fingers approach the string without even thinking about it.

THESE ARE PICS OF A 'NORMAL' STRING PLACEMENT.... 

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NOW NOTE THE THE WHITE HUMPS ARE WHERE THE BLOOD IS PUSHED OUT ONE ALL 3 FINGERS FROM THE EVEN PRESSURE

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Now, here's what I did and it felt so comfortable I started shooting ALL my bows this way...and I don't even have to think about it.
I 'off set' my index and ring finger by pushing my middle finger forward.  Now it makes contact with the string FIRST, and the other 2 lag behind until they are needed, when the fall into place automatically on the draw.

No what this does is is NEGATE finger pinch as you reach full draw if you shoot a short bow.  And it makes for less torque on the string, gets rid of the ring finger issue, and unneeded pressure on the fingers. This makes for a much more comfortable draw over all,  and especially on heavier bows. Finally, it give a cleaner release on all bows as those lag fingers are definitely engaged but not so stressed on the string or your fingers.  Your fingers are going to end up in the same place either way, it's just better if they are set back to start with than to get forced back while being rolled back and smashed against your middle finger..... give it a try, it might work for you.

Note the SINGLE white hump with the offset fingers....

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Hard to tell they are set back in this 1st pic.... but better in the 2nd....

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Thanks Terry, I posted on the other thread about this, just what I need something else to be thinking about.     But seriously, since I started shooting ASL bows, it seems like if I get lazy with my index finger my release is off.  I only notice it when shooting split finger.  When shooting my recurves I shoot three under and don't notice it.


Jason

Jason, If you ingrain it on the bale and during practice,  soon you won't have to think about it.

Make sense. I'm gonna have to give this a try.

Just to clarify......is there a typo in the explanation. Is it supposed to be 'push the middle finger forward'?

YES! 

I fixed it.

I read one of those post you speak of on the shooters forum years ago and implemented it as well.   

I tried it and I like it!  Shot about 50 arrows last night and it seemed to accomplish two things for me.  Majority of the string pressure on the middle finger and consistency from shot to shot.  Also, once I started the draw I didn't have to think about which finger had the most string pressure; it just happened automatically.  Great tip Terry!  Thanks for sharing!

👍👍

 

Gonna give this a try...

 

Excellent tip Terry   

Well described and illustrated.

Thanks

Best
Lex

Tried this, then forgot, now I'll try again.  Now that I have the three layer Barbee tab.  Thanx!!!

I posted on the other thread about this, but forgot to post on this one, I set my phone up saturday while I was shooting in the pole barn and used the slo-mo video to record myself shooting, and it was quite interesting. I shot both my recurve and long bow and my finger position on the string looked like what Terry was talking about without me trying to do it or thinking about it.


Jason

Splitfinger grip archers should have a good 80% or more of the string holding weight on the middle finger, most of the rest on the ring finger, and near nothing on the pointer finger.  Yer grip becomes a release aid of sorts.

Again, R & T