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Shooting with the navak / majra / solenarion / tong-ah

2 posts2012live thread
daryush
And I'm sure it goes by a few other names too ...

I'd like to start learning how to shoot with one. But where do I begin? (safely, without shooting my hand, or the bow)

I'd like to think my thumb release is fairly crisp but I do have a pronounced follow through with my draw hand so it ends up beside my head and a "punch forward" with the bow arm as I release. Would I need to modify any of this?

Thanks!
Bede
The things you are doing are possible with an arrow guide, but you should not try them when you are starting off. I have recommended this before: start your practice with a full length arrow. If something goes wrong you should be safe. The problems are:
  • 1. Overdrawing. The guide can be easily over drawn and an accident can be serious. Make your guide longer than you normal draw or attach an index device like a small bead on the underside of the end of the guide so you can feel you are at full draw.
    2. The arrow coming out of the guide as you draw. By slight errors in technique, the design of the guide, the length of the strap, or concentration, the arrow can have its head leave the guide. Push the guide and arrow away from the bow with your chin and slowly let down the bow. Do not attempt to shoot.
    3. The archer raises the bow hand thumb. This is a scary event. I have picture of an arrow leaving the guide at an odd angle, perfect for shooting yourself if your thumb is in the wrong place. I know of two people who have shot their thumbs. I am sure there are more incidents from Korea where guides are used more often.
    4. The guide is not stiff enough. This may be only visible to an observer who sees the guide bend. I made a guide like this when I was starting and the arrow hit the belly of the bow because it left the guide halfway down.