Ritual Archery - Release the arrow and Retract the bow.

 VII. The Release

The release refers to the act of letting the arrow fly after drawing the bowstring, from the moment of release until the arrow hits the target. It encompasses both the release action itself and the subsequent, brief, transitional movement. The core of the release lies in the act of releasing, and mastering this release is fundamental to archery. In his "Discourse on Archery," Gu Hao, a scholar of the Qing Dynasty, stated: "What we call 'release' today is what the ancients called 'firing'."  Explaining the term "release," Gu Hao further elaborated: "When speaking of 'release,' one should understand that it involves two distinct actions: the hand on the bowstring 'releases' while the other hand 'pushes' the bow."  The release is essentially a simultaneous action of both hands: the front hand pushes the bow, while the back hand releases the string.  Both hands must exert equal force, minimizing any interference with the string. A natural release is like a ripe fruit falling from a tree; the arrow leaves the string naturally at the right moment, without any external force. The separation of the back hand's thumb from the string is like cutting a taut rope; both move in their respective directions without any hindrance.

The ultimate mastery of the release lies in achieving a state of complete harmony between archer and bow, where the arrow leaves the string naturally at the perfect moment. The archer should be unaware of the release itself; the back hand releases, while the front hand remains unaware.


Key Points of the Release

1. Focus on the target, concentrate fully, breathe naturally, and maintain a relaxed posture with the breath centered in the abdomen. Maintain a consistent body posture and a straight, consistent force.  Emphasize symmetrical force (the force of the front hand pushing the bow equals the force of the back hand pulling the string, but in opposite directions).

2. The power for the release originates in the back muscles, resulting in a balanced and natural force exerted by both hands.

3. During the release, the back hand releases while the front hand remains unaware. Maintain symmetrical force.

4. During the release, the front hand relaxes, allowing the bow to move forward by inertia. The ring and little fingers of the front hand gently guide the bow, causing it to rotate into a resting position. The back elbow remains tight, the back muscles are engaged, and the flexor muscles of the back hand's index finger relax. The thumb and index finger release, allowing the string to slide free. 5. After releasing the arrow, the slight movement of the rear hand is in the opposite direction of the arrow's flight path. The palm of the rear hand faces outwards, stopping behind the neck with the tip of the index finger touching the neck, aligning with the "return line".

6. Maintain the posture and the straight-line force application before releasing the arrow for 2 seconds after release.

Arrow Release Steps

1. Maintain the shooting stance and release the arrow when in the optimal aiming zone.

2. Keep the elbow of the rear hand close to the body during release. Open the chest, keep the back tight, use back muscles to drive the rear elbow, and release the string naturally with the index finger of the rear hand.

3. At the moment the string leaves the hand, the ring finger and little finger of the front hand exert force to stabilize the bow.

4. Observe the arrow's flight and analyze the technique. Reflect on both hits and misses, remembering correct actions and correcting mistakes.

5. Maintain the posture after release, continuing the straight-line force application.

6. Prepare to retract the bow and return to the starting position 2 seconds after the arrow hits the target.

VIII. Bow Retraction

The "Outline of Archery" states that the final step in archery practice is "bow retraction," meaning to retract the bow and prepare for the next shot. Bow retraction essentially means returning to the starting position; outwardly, it involves retracting the bow, resetting the head position, and adjusting breathing. Internally, it requires calming the mind, maintaining focus, and preparing for the next shot. Bow retraction is both the midpoint and the starting point of each shot, a fundamental posture, and a key point for maintaining consistency in archery.

Key Points of Bow Retraction

1. Consistent movement of the front hand, rear hand, and head.

2. Natural bow retraction without any shaking.

3. Retract the bow while maintaining a stable stance, with a calm mind and even breathing.

Bow Retraction Steps

1. Retract the front and rear hands simultaneously to the waist. At the same time, shift the center of gravity back to the midpoint between the heels.

2. Move the head in coordination with the hands, returning from the aiming position to the string-holding position.

3. Retract the bow to the waist, with the lower end of the bow resting under the armpit, and the bow face vertical to the ground.