Traditional Bow Archery - Flat Rack

The "flat frame" shooting stance can be said to combine the technical advantages of the "small frame" and "large frame." However, like all compromises, it also inherits the disadvantages of both. Therefore, while it's a "medium" shooting stance on the downside, it's also a "gentle yet powerful" shooting stance, beneficial for battle formations.

I. Technical Features

When the bow is fully drawn, the arrow is aligned with the back of the back hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow. The string rests against the chest, and the arrow rests against the corner of the mouth or between the corner of the mouth and the chin. Before releasing, the upper and lower arms are clamped together (very important), and continuous "back force" is also crucial. During the release, the chest is opened and the back is retracted, the wrist is twisted and the elbow is lowered, and the hand is released flat on the line of the arrow. After the release, the elbow is low and the hand is high, with the palm facing outward, the index finger is on top and the thumb is on the bottom, forming an "eight" shape.

Advantages

The draw length is longer than the "small frame" shooting style, which maximizes the power of the bow and arrow. The force applied by the back hand is aligned with the arrow, making it easier to control and facilitating heavy bow draws. Lowering the shoulders, tightening the back, and tightening the upper and lower arms create a very stable posture that is easy to master and provides high accuracy and stability. The arrow and the back hand are positioned relatively low, facilitating long-range aiming and shooting.

Because the back hand's upper and lower arms are tightened and aligned with the arrow when the bow is at full draw in the "flat frame" shooting style, the triceps of the back arm are more relaxed than in the "large frame" shooting style, making it easier to control force and reducing interference. This is why the "flat frame" shooting style facilitates heavy bow draws and provides a more stable movement. Diagram of Backhand Force in a Flat Hold

On the other hand, the draw length in the "Flat Hold" is longer than the "Small Hold," leaving less room for the back shoulder and elbow to extend further during release. Furthermore, after the upper and lower arms are clamped together, the forearm does not extend backward after release, as in the "Big Hold" position. To ensure that the thumb is released from the string in the direction of the arrow at release, it is crucial to use back force (latissimus dorsi contraction) to drive the back hand down to the elbow, while simultaneously coordinating the wrist twist (also called string twisting) for a flat release. These two points are crucial techniques in both Qing-style archery and traditional Korean archery, and distinguish them from the "holding" force and extended arm flat release of the "Big Hold" shooting stance.

Furthermore, the back hand in the "Flat Hold" shooting stance is generally positioned lower than in the "Big Hold" shooting stance, typically resting the arrow at the corner of the mouth or between the corner of the mouth and the lower jaw. This facilitates aiming at long-range targets. Furthermore, when shooting at long-range targets, the lead hand is high and the back hand is low, which is a very comfortable force-generating position from a human anatomy perspective. Therefore, the "flat frame" is a very suitable shooting stance for long-range shooting. Korean Traditional Archery Flat Frame (Long-Range 145-meter Target)

III. Disadvantages

The draw length is 1 to 2 inches shorter than the "large frame" shooting stance, resulting in relatively less power; the back hand position is not as stable as the "small frame" shooting stance, making it less accurate; it requires a bow with a longer draw length, making it less versatile than the "small frame" shooting stance.
IV. Main Uses From the above analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the "flat frame" shooting stance, we can see that: In terms of bow and arrow power, the "flat frame" is better than the "small frame" and worse than the "large frame"; in terms of accuracy, it is better than the "large frame" and worse than the "small frame"; in terms of versatility, it is better than the "large frame" and worse than the "small frame"; in terms of ease of learning and use, it is better than the "large frame" and worse than the "small frame" shooting stance.
Precisely because of this balanced, yet both elegant and powerful nature of the "flat frame" shooting stance, it is suitable for both battlefield and leisure shooting. This shooting stance is often seen in ancient paintings and photographs from the Qing Dynasty.

Old Photos of Qing Dynasty Archery: Flat Stand

V. Miscellaneous Discussion

Many people find the "leaning forward, buttocks sticking out" posture used in Qing Dynasty archery unsightly and dislike it. This action, in fact, is called "rang hips," an evasive maneuver used during martial arts to prevent the bowstring from catching on clothing or armor, but it is not a required part of "flat stand." The "rang hips" movement in Qing Dynasty archery
For those interested in studying the "flat stand" today, "The Guide to Imperial Examination Shooting" written by Liu Qi during the Qing Dynasty is a valuable resource. Interested parties can search online for it; I won't elaborate here.

VI. Postscript

There are countless archery styles, both ancient and modern, both in China and abroad. Here, we will simply introduce three common current shooting positions: thumb release, right-handed shooting (commonly known as the "Mongolian style"). Personally, I've been practicing archery for five years. When I first switched from competitive recurve to traditional bows, I used a "small frame" because I didn't have to change much. Then, I began learning techniques borrowed from Kyudo and switched to a "large frame." Later, struggling with the limitations and shortcomings of the "large frame," I switched to a "flat frame." Throughout this time, I've also been wavering between the three shooting positions due to different bow types. Only recently have I finally understood: there's no such thing as good or bad, only whether it's suitable, whether you like it or not. It's not about how much you learn, but how well you practice.
Every shooting style has its advantages and disadvantages. By carefully considering the purpose, equipment characteristics, and personal preferences, you can make a clear choice among the ever-changing archery techniques.