[English Longbow] Longbow anchor - chin or side?

DavidH

New member
I did search for a thread on longbow anchor but couldn't find one. I've just been going through "Archery, its theory and practice" by Horace Ford. I've visited the book a number of times, but this time, I've been concentrating on aiming

Archery, its theory and practice

According to the book, he was the first to start anchoring under the chin, exactly in line with the eye, for target shooting. I've tried to be a purist with style, but Ford says that a side anchor was really only used for distance rather than accuracy, as it allows for a longer draw.

Chapter XI: On Aiming. From: Archery, its theory and practice, by Horace Alfred Ford, 2nd Edition, 1859

I know some will say its not true longbow practice, but I want to shoot better groups and its not as if we are using any special aid. If Mr Ford, who is known as the greatest longbow archer of all time, advised under the chin, who am I to argue? Should I try to be a Victorian purist or a Medieval purist;) Next time I shoot, I'll try a chin anchor, but would love to know the view of other longbow archers.
 
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mk1

It's an X
Supporter
I can see his point about a side anchor for extra distance but that's because you can't wind up the limbs on a longbow ;-) Surely like any bow you get a weight you can manage at the draw length style you decide to adopt.

Was drawing to the chest an alternative to adopting a bend at the waist and therefore not being able to use the point of the arrow to aim?
 

DavidH

New member
wouldn't a chin anchor reduce your draw length? can't visualise what it is supposed to look like
basically the same as recurve Cho, I think a lot of recurve archers have now moved from centre of chin to in line with the eye. With well splined arrows it avoids aiming off to the right.

Overdrawing isn't necessary with target archery.
 

DavidH

New member
Was drawing to the chest an alternative to adopting a bend at the waist and therefore not being able to use the point of the arrow to aim?
That's shooting in the bow isnt it? Certainly useless for target archery, and not recommended for any bow that hasn't been tillered to allow for it.
 

Raven's_Eye

Active member
Ironman
Personally I anchor so the join of my thumb and index finger sits on the back of my jaw.......or least thats what I intend to do. A longer draw length will give you more power, but whether the side or under the chin as long as you are consistant, it shouldn't really matter.
 

Raven's_Eye

Active member
Ironman
Here is an interesting thought, drawing to the side of the face/under the jaw is one of the few things that longbows have in common with compound archers.
 
D

Deleted member 7654

Guest
I read that Horace Ford couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo when it came to field, but was the consumate target archer.
Ya pays ya money ya takes ya choice.
Personally I find it hard to conceive of a situation where you actually know the range of your adversary or quarry, so I just don't 'get' target archery.
Del
 

DavidH

New member
I do neither the side of face or under the chin, but i still hit the

:fita3:
under the nose then? I need to look at your video again

edit: looking now, seems you're somewhere in-between, how do you keep it constant ghound?
 

ghound

Member
I use a kisser, and draw my top finger to just below my lower lip, so i have a guide from the kisser, my finger and the string when it touches my nose

:thumbsup:
 

ghound

Member
didn't realise longbow archers actually aimed! :boxedin:
Don't worry, when you have finished your basic training with your recurve (cos that's what they are, training bows) come join us and we will show you how to aim with a real (cos that's what they are, real) bow

:hissyfit::hissyfit:
 

Raven's_Eye

Active member
Ironman
I read that Horace Ford couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo when it came to field, but was the consumate target archer.
Ya pays ya money ya takes ya choice.
Personally I find it hard to conceive of a situation where you actually know the range of your adversary or quarry, so I just don't 'get' target archery.
Del
You need to post in my other thread. As for target archery, its the easiest I suppose. Don't have to have a forest to walk round, less likely to lose your arrows, can do it anywhere with a field, little walking. Suppose technically its easiest to shoot as well as distances are constant, though does have the challenge of longer distances.
Field archery is a little more specialised to set up, and shorter distant focused.

Personally I've yet to try field archery, though I do intend to.
 
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