Bow draw

The pinch draw squeezes the end of the arrow between the thumb and index finger.

[2] This is often called the "primary draw/release"; the advantage of this draw is that the release is very clean; when the pull reaches a certain point, friction can no longer hold the arrow and it flies free.

However, this release prevents the drawing of a stiff bow unless the archer possesses enormous strength in the fingers.

It is now of historical interest, but was widespread in traditional archery in the Americas and is seen (with the Mediterranean draw) in the earlier Assyrian reliefs of Ashurnasirpal II.

[4] This is further developed in the "tertiary release"; the forefinger not only presses on the arrow end, but also grasps the string.

The Mediterranean draw and its variants are the main traditional form in Europe; it is also native to the Middle East, appearing on Assyrian carvings at all periods.

The two-finger draw in its Hungarian form can be found in historical records into antiquity amongst Scythian archery and through into the Middle Ages in eastern European manuscripts and art.

Barebow and longbow archers often have the index, middle and ring fingers on the string all below the arrow, a method referred to as "three under".

This is often called the "Mongolian draw/release", but it is traditional for all ethnicities across the Asian steppes, extending to Korea, China, Russia, Persia and Turkey.

It also positions the string further back in the hand, allowing a longer draw, all else being equal.

Traditional Japanese archery uses a unique type of thumb draw called torikake.

It employs a three or four-fingered leather glove with a grooved piece of horn sewn into the crouch of the thumb.

The Japanese draw tends to be very long compared to Western styles, pulling several inches past the archer's ear.

For amateurs a plain tab made of leather is a simple, cheap, and still highly effective protection for the fingers.

However, finger releases must be used for bows other than compounds in most tournaments (including World Archery) and thus are still widely used.