STL All Sports

Releasing.--The release is to the bow and arrow what the trigger squeeze is to the rifle, and proper performance is just as important in one as in the other.

The proper release is made by holding the fingers firm, without relaxation, and permitting the string to slip smoothly off the tips with a very slight but firm backward movement, not more than a fraction of an inch. A very important feature of the release is the follow through or the retention of the shooting position until after the arrow has hit the target. This may appear to some people as posing, but it is essential to a good shot and eliminates the possibility of "peeping," which causes a poor shot, usually making the arrow go high above the target. The string is released with a twang and one must be very careful not to fall into the habit of jerking. This will have a tendency to deflect the arrow to the right. It is equally faulty to release with a sudden opening of the fingers in an explosive manner. Another fault is relaxing the muscles of the shooting fingers and permitting the arrow to creep forward slightly before it is released. This consumes a portion of the original cast, which should be expended on the arrow, and leads to unsteady, inconsistent shooting.

Summary of Shooting Procedure. - Summarizing, the orthodox way of shooting is as follows: Stand with both feet in line and at right angles with the target, head erect, and muscles relaxed. Grasp the bow in the left hand, turn it to the horizontal position, and nock the arrow as previously described. Turn the head sharply to the left looking directly at the target. Bring the bow to nearly a vertical position by raising and extending the left arm full length horizontally, at the same time drawing the arrow back to the chin. From this position sight over the tip of the arrow to the point of aim and release the arrow, holding the shooting position until the arrow has hit the target.