Shooting Traditional Split Or Three Under What’s The Difference? 

I tried three under when I was first learning to shoot. You're totally right about it being a louder shot. I had to switch to split finger because, for some reason, the string would always hit my nose when i shot three under. It became really frustrating so I switched to split finger. It is a whisper quiet shot!

Ive always shot split and instinctive and never liked the times i tried 3 under for all the reasons you mention especially the loud bow noise. Im glad you made this video because I was beggining to second guess my choice from seeing everyone else shooting 3 under.

I am 65, been shooting split finger only since a kid. Really made a difference when I bowfished hard back in the day. took a lot of very fast shots from very close to out there a ways. Didn't think about it, just shot where I meant to shoot. Shot a lot of frogs and snakes too, snakes would be head shots. I shot critters at night in low vision, never thought anything about it, just did it. The biggest factor after finally getting some sort of shooting form down was totally about the focus on the exact spot that I meant to hit. It is all about training your brain to know how to respond in any given situation. To learn not to argue with it but go with it. yes, sometimes it takes a few shots to get your impact to move to the right place but it will. It just takes a lot of shooting for your brain to know what to do and brother, it will do it. God gave us the ability, we just have to let it work for us. This ain't nothing new, man has been using the bow for thousands of years. Our Lord enabled us to both make the bow and arrow as well as to shoot them. We are the ones that make it harder than what it is supposed to be. And yes, God blesses some even more so in all of it. Enjoyed your reasons for the switch and as you said, not for everyone. But I sure like it!

I’ve been shooting split finger for 40 years and have tried shooting 3 fingers under and have always felt much more vibration in the riser that way.

This is a very interesting take on the the two styles. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much for this explanation and the anchor point adjustment. I am in the process of going back to instinctive shooting after 40 years of compound shooting. I am loving it and working to get my accuracy tightened up before bow season. Blessings to you and your business of helping us be better bowmen.

I'm glad your back on your feet and giving it again, Amen to the Lord All Mighty

great video Jeff👍

Thanks for the distinctions!! I'm gunna go experiment!

Fantastic video! Thank you!

Well….. Everything you said was spot on. I’ve been shooting 3 under & decided to try split. For me it DRASTICALLY reduced the noise on the release. It took about an hour to get to get the feel of it, but after that it was back to hitting where you look. Thanks for the tip!

If I wanna hit my target I have to grap my compound. Youre a heck of a shot!!!

Great info, thank you!!

Your videos are awesome! Your lessons have helped me a lot. Thank you for sharing!

AWESOME video man

Three finger under guy here here...have hunted four years that way..this video has motivated me to give split a try.. If we don't try I suppose we won't know! I also never messed around with the rubber ends on my longbow...hmmm thanks for the video.

Thanks for your knowledge

Excellent video sir! I want to try high cheekbone anchor now after many years. I worked for Bear Archery way way, back and never realised the way Fred anchored was probably because it was a good solid anchor!

Great video and love the open minded approach to finding what works best for you.

I shot field archery with my dad and brother when I was 13 or 14 and then a little in college. Now that I am retired and approaching 70 my interest has been rekindled. I have been binge watching a variety of archery topics trying to catch up on the latest innovations. It seems that the target shooters like three under so that they can “string walk” or “string crawl” in order to fine tune their aim. I can see where split finger being quieter would be advantageous for a hunter. Great video and good explanation of the difference.

Awesome video and testing. I am in the testing faze with this as well. The very first thing I noticed was how quiet my bow became! With a few high,but well grouped arrows I finally found my anchor and was shooting very consistant. It starred raining pretty hard so I had to cut it short. I'm very excited to get back at it soon. I also noticed I shot better with a tab than a glove. At least more consistantly accurate.

I learned to shoot archery last year by watching tutorials on youtube. They skipped beginner course for me at local archery club. I started 3 under but as year went on changed to split using black hunter American flatbow and english longbow, took a little adjusting to the style, but more instinctive especially for quick shooting. God bless you Jeff from Northumberland England 🇬🇧

I've shot split finger since 76..self taught. Few weeks ago tried 3 under for a few rounds and it felt kinda funny but I was able to make the adjustment, Wasn't for me.So then I tried putting my nock on top of my nock point, my arrows flew so much better and tightened my groups. So I installed another nock point above my nock to remind me of my new spot. Looking at my bow with arrow from the side it looks like my arrow is tilted forward slightly..I've always made it level as possible with my bow square. Now I don't know why they flew so nice..but I'm keeping the setup cause it made a big difference. Glad to have found your show. Alot of your tips I have tried and was able to be even more consistent. Thanks from Indiana!

thank you brother, I will try it. God's good

I must really try split fingers!! Thanks!

Lol I love how you Robinhooded that last arrow. That is why I also shoot split finger 🤙🏼👊🏼

I just put a selway slide on soft koat quiver on my bow and was amazed at how quiet it made my bow .

U would understand this morning than most. Cuz of my recurve instinctive shooting in the past when I shoot a compound I'm aiming as I draw. However my anchor with a thumb release on the jaw I was always right on the target, but low. I decided a few months ago that I need to go back to the recurve to achieve more of the natural shooting ability I developed. I'm looking forward to the simplicity when it comes to practice & all the extra camera gear it allows me to carry cuz the compound is out of the equation.

This is interesting. I have shot target recurve with sight earlier and was taught to shot split fingers and that three under is for instinctive archery. And now when I want to start shooting instinctive I thought three under is the only way to go... I need to try this out.

jeff, lift that thumb under the cheek bone so the lower index is on top of the cheek bone. The cheek bone sinks in the depression. Stop and pull your elbow back and let it rip. Works for me. I have been shooting this way since 2008. Great show Jeff

Took your advice. Bought the bear montana for the length. Removed the leather rest and grip and put on strike plate and hair rest. Been loving it since. I've been shooting split right hand but I'm left eye dominant so I gotta close my left eye. I'll try anchoring just under my eye like you are in this video. Problem is my shots are consistent. I shoot all over the place but I'm getting better.

I grew up shooting split finger with enough accuracy and consistency to fill my tags but I always thought I could do better. I eventually tried three under and it wasn’t for me. At this point I began to experiment with anchor points and triggers like the back of a feather touching your nose and so on. I eventually settled on a cheekbone anchor point with a slight cant, shooting instinctive split finger. Just Changing my anchor point brought the arrow closer to my eye which was my intention all along and aided in better consistency. I can shoot accurately out to 25 yards and I can push it to 30 when everything feels right which is great for hunting.

Hey we're all Brothers of the bow consistency in our anchor and release find what's best for you I have tried three under I prefer split finger I am more accurate keep shooting guys

I switched to the Apache draw{3 under} and it improved my accuracy so i stuck with it since 1989.

I recommend checking out archery 101. He showed that there is no sound difference decible wise between the two. The difference you're noticing is pitch of the noise.

I shot really accurate split finger. I found that I shot low trying 3 fingers under but got use to it. I changed from split finger to tree under because,,,, #1 finger pinch, and blistered index and third finger from shooting for hours#2 I had a deep hook back then and I was pinching my arrow nock off the string, which I dry fired my bow several times...Once I changed to split finger no more problems only a louder bow. I found changing my string to a d97 material quiet down the bow.. Shooting 3 under for deer was never a problem as the deer never knew anything after the shot. Some just walked away and lay down to expire as were not spooked..

Thanks for sharing! You have a new subscriber! I want to learn instinctive with a recurve. I’ve hunted with a compound for years, but need the kindergarten version of instinctive. You should do training videos step by step.

Started out split finger with a compound, I have a scar on the inside of my pointer finger and it hurt pretty good when I shot. Changed to 3 under so far so good 12 or more years now. No turning back for me.😂 I do use a release now with the compound but 3 under with the recurve.

I used to shoot 3 under up to 20yds, split over that. Now, due to nerve damage, I use a release. Still instinctive, just augmented fingers.

I spent two hours shooting 3 under vs split last night. I wanted to go with 3 under because my point on was close to hunting distances. Split was too quiet, so I will stay with that. Everything you said is what I found.

Same for me

I used to use mediteranian (split) with arrow on my left side but now I have found a new favorite, Slavic (2 under and 1 holding arrow behind fletching) with arrow on my right. I recommend testing it, you have to relearn your aim a little, but speed and accuracy is improved for me.

Great video Jeff good content but i would like to know what your nock is measurement is set at for split and is it the same nock point as your 3 under

Interesting 🤔

gonna try 3 finger great video. Which glove do you recommend. Live your videos and your passion keep em coming

I am a target shooter, hunting with a bow is not allowed over here, and i a never felt the need to kill something anyway. I use 3 fingers under on 18 meters, anchoring my middle finger in the corner of my mouth, aiming the arrow point in the center and hit it most of the times. Split finger puts the back of arrow a bit lower in my hand, and if i keep my aim point and anchor the same i hit pretty good on 30 meters.

A couple months ago I made a 35# longbow to start working with to get back to my recurve. I've shot that thing 3 under since the day the string went on, anchoring at my cheakbone and shooting GAP. Split just doesn't feel or shoot right with that bow. (I am, for all intents and purposes a compound hunter, but want to go Trad next fall). Anyway, I put a new string on the recurve a couple weeks ago and have been struggling getting my nock points set. Last night I was playing around with brace height and nock height and decided to try split, I got the nock point set in a matter of a few shots. It just felt better, and yes, the shot was quieter and much better grouping. Now, just need to get the arrow spine correct. My conclusion is, some bows like one or the other, some don't care and I need to be consistent with my release. Always Be Tinkering!!

I split finger and release when I touch my anchor. 3 under for me is like aiming a rifle, or sighting a compound with pins. I don't like it. I don't care if it's more "accurate." Howard Hill did ok with split finger. It's just more fun.

I've always shot split, loading only the lower two - just works best for me.

I would like to ask what glove you are using. I've seen you use that one (or one like it) for some time. Guessing you like it.

I’ve shot both ways. One thing I noticed is that when ur shooting split finger you get ur shot off quicker because ur not aiming. With three under it takes me longer because ur aiming. You have to line up ur arrow. It may only take a half a second but it just takes longer

I shoot from foot and for more accuracy. Because the arrow is closer to my dominant right eye and there isn't a steep angle from the nock that is being one finger lower all the way up to the front. So by tree under I don't have to aim so much low on close range targets. I also shoot 3 under out to 300 yards or beyond targets. I am really into historical military long range archery. We shoot targets at most between 196 and 360 yards. 3 under is the best for me for those long ranges too. For speed loading or from horseback is out of question though. For speed shooting on foot I switch to right side of the bow with something similar like Slavic draw. From horse I go for thumb draw for more stability at all angle, all movement and all speed. I adapt the bow, the arrow built and the technique as well to the situation. Plus using multiple draw techniques is strongly forced because most competition bans specific ones or allows only specific ones. Hungary is the most forgiving Turkey is the less. Hunting is a different story. You are nowhere near to need multiple technique. Better specialize yourself on the one you are the most accurate with.

Thanks for the information. I tried going back to split finger. Maybe it’s because I wear glasses but I always seem to bump the bottom of my frames when I’m at anchor with split finger. 3 under just seems to work better for me providing I move my nock point up enough. Is this a common problem for people who wear glasses?

I’ve always thought the same when I shoot 3 under. It’s loud! It’s crazy how much better tho 3 looks seeing the arrow under your eye. Doesn’t make sense how it can make that much of a difference. But I’ve always been split and shoot extremely low 3 under.

Long time split shooter, because of your videos and some other ones on RU-vid I switched this winter to 3 under. At first I was shooting about 1foot low, I shoot instinctive, after a bit , I started to hit where I was aiming with good groups, definitely louder. So tonight I dug out my split finger tab and shot, definitely shooting high groups at first. I was wondering if you make any adjustments to nock height or any or adjustments.

I have aways shot spit and I have never shot 3 under and it is better for me and I can tell the difference in the sound of my bow and the sound of my friends bow when we shoot together.I have shot more deer and they didn't know where the arrow came from because there was very little sound only the sound of the arrow in the air so yes I will stay with the spit fanger .

3 Under 4 Life

👍

Also could you please take a picture and show on your T square where you set you nock on your string for split and 3 under? Thank you.

What glove are you using

The problem i get into with split is that i sometimes pinch the nock and the arrow comes off the rest and with 3 under i never seem to have that problem.

I've been shooting three under mainly because I feel like split-finger is going to have me miss the target more and lose more arrows.

I remember something from Jhon Shults his videos him mentioning something about one adventage of split being able to keep the arrow on the riser even when canting the bow to the left (with 3-under it would have fallen off). I've been shooting instinctive/split vision for about 5 years now myself with 3-under and I could never realy get the hang of split finger (medeteranian style). My anchor is actualy scary similar to mine when you shoot 3-under. Now recently I did lower my anchor point and saw similar things happening in my arrow's trajectory like you explained when you switch to split (arrow shoots higher). every time I try split I just feel my top finger getting pinched between the arrow and the bowstring becouse the angle is so narrow. Any advice how I could fix this? ( I generaly shoot recurves around 60'' but I have the same problem with a 68'' semi-longbow, so I dont expect bowsize to be the issue)

I tried 3-under a couple of times and I put the arrow in the dirt from 20 yards every time😂

I injured my right hand a bit over a year ago. (Right hand shooter) Can I still shoot instinctively with a release? Where should I place my d-loop?

I tried 3 under and the noise was terrible. Like yr tip on the limp tip protectors. Shoot a coyote stalker no need for string silencers but I do use a tip protector on the lower limb will try one on the top limb

completely agree. which bow quiver are you using?

The concentration on the target with split finger feels more instinctive, for me.

when i took all my fundamentals and took them too split i started grouping way tighter and started being able to shoot way fartherr

I love 3 under because i have a long draw of 30" and a short bow ( 60 inch Super Shrew), so i dont pinch my ringfinger that much.. I got a question, maybe someone can answer it... if a bow is tillered zero, for 3 under, do i still have to go for a higher nockpoint or does the lower tiller compensate that?

I shot 3 under until I broke my third finger now I shoot 2 under even my compound

I shoot 3 under up to 20-25 yards and split past 25yards.

Is 3 under suitable for instinctive or mainly for gap shooting

Very entertaining and informative video. That's also a very nice bow you used. What type is it?

If the bow is tillered for 3 under shouldnt it make samme amount of noise as one tillered for split? Would be cool to see a desibel meter reading to se how much difference there is.

Hey, are those tip protectors under the string or over the top of the string?

What kind of bow are you shooting?

I shoot 3 under. Split ,I'm way off target.

Does it make a difference in arrow tuning?

Howard hill, john shultz, fred bear, byron fergison.......all split finger shooters, all use gloves not tabs. Im not nearly as good as ANY of them, but those are the guys i would like to imulate

Gonna try split finger. I meant

What’s the deal with those limb tip protectors? Never seen one before.

🇧🇷❤️🏹❤️🏹🎯🎯🎯🤗👍👍 show my friends 🤗👍

No judgement here, but.... I have never heard of anyone who shoots instinctive going from 3 under to split and stay there. I know of the opposite and I know those who only shoot split. Time will tell.... :)

2 questions: 1. Is your index finger on or under the cheekbone when you hit anchor? 2. What bow tip protectors do you use? Thanks 🙏

Why do you use a glove rather than a Tab ?

Смешно 😂 На моей памяти, а я в стрельбе с 1977 года, это было давно известно 😉 Так что надо не изобретать очередной "велосипед", а учиться сразу в клубе или спортивной секции у нормального тренера 😜

For me , instinctive archery is split fingers....nothing else 🏹

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-o39rcbkPixk.html In his testing theres not a difference in sound

I do better split finger and a longbow.

Less talk, more shoot.

Seems like arrows fly faster when using a split finger.