Asian form differences, why?

[FrankM]

I've noticed that some Asian countries shoot recurves with the string hand on the side of the head back by the ear. Does this serve an articulated purpose or is it just the way they started?  I guess a better question would be, is there a book or webpage that discusses how cultures evolved their shooting technique?

[zetabow]

I'm guessing you're meaning Asiatic horn bows and not target bows.

The English shot their Warbows like this, I imagine they wanted to get as much range\\power as they could from the Bow, it wasn't shot for target accuracy as we do today but as a long range artillery weapon, people in UK still shoot Warbows in this style and imagine the tradition is still the same for some Asian countries.

  English warbow shooting

  Korean horn bow

[FrankM]

Aha!  Interesting stuff. Thanks.

[Bill Skinner]

The longer an arrow is on the string, the more energy is transfered to the arrow.  The draws behind the jaw allow a short person to get an extra long draw.  This translated into extra power and extra range.  Bill

[hvyhitter]

Just the way someone way back when found that worked for them and passed it down. And since the cultures were isolated for tens of thousands of years before world exploration its the same reasons they have different languages, religions, architecture, eating utensels, family structures etc......

[Capt]

Most Asian cultures and Eastern European cultures shot with the thumb ring off a horse and they used shorter bows.  The "anchor" they used was floating as they were moving around on the horse and the thumb allowed for a longer draw with a short bow.  The thumb also "locked" the arrow against the riser.