Question for archery coaches.

[Pete McMiller]

I see on here many times how shooting 3 under is supposed to be more accurate, etc.  Why is it then that the Olympic archers shoot split finger?  I have always shot split finger myself and don't see a reason to change, just curious.

[SAVIOUR68]

Pete I am no archery coach but 3 under allows high anchor which allows the arrow to.get closer to the eye for 3D and hunting distances . Olympic archers have sights on there bows and shot out to 70-80.meters where a higher anchor.would not be beneficial.Just my opinion. I shoot 3 under for 3D and split for hunting due to a quieter bow.

[moebow]

Pete,  Savior68 answered it pretty well.  The longer ranges and sights for the FITA/Oly shooters is helped by the lower anchor of under the jaw and split finger.  It is also a physically stronger position than our higher on the face anchor.  They need this for proper clicker activation and to keep the sight adjusted so not to interfere with the arrow.

Three under  is one of the good ways to facilitate shots without a sight and for much shorter distances generally shot in 3D,etc.

Arne

[Pete McMiller]

Thanks guys, makes sense that you would need a much lower anchor to facilitate a sight.

[Pete McMiller]

Ooops, doubled.

[toddster]

Another factor that goes with above stated, is that a Bow should be tillered to shoot three under.  Just as putting too much "heel" into a bow will change limb actions so will three under if bow not tillered for it.

[BobCo 1965]

Yup, men Olympic style archers need to reach out to 90 meters in a FITA round. To do this he needs a lower under chin anchor. Split finger facilitates this much better as a three under would create interference on the chin. Split also gets the arrow just a bit lower on the string then the three under.

Keep in mind that an Olympic style archer must have an open aperture or pin (no magnification), at 90 meters, there is literally in many cases just millimeters clearance between the aperture and the arrow passing by (that is if he wants to aim directly at the intended target).

Another thing not mentioned is that the Olympic archer also curls the index finger upward around the string (if using NTS) which could also cause problems when shooting 3 under.

[Pete McMiller]

Learn something new everyday, thanks.