Trying the IMPOSSIBLE! Medieval Archery 90 lb Warbow/Longow The Cradle Draw as shown by Shadiversity

[@shadiversity]

It’s so awesome to see you duplicate this test, as every scientific test is falsified or proven correct if the results can be duplicated. Seeing you do it made me cheer out loud, man! Truly awesome and thank you so much for giving it a try and sharing it with everyone.

[@Lord_Unicorn]

love you man ;)

[@Bitterman5868]

God bless you Shad! you, lars and mead broke one of the biggest myths of medieval and even archery history. kudos for all of you.

[@MeadLongbows]

Thank you ! and I am so glad you enjoyed it, it was a lot of fun!

[@amierullridzwan2025]

All hail lars Anderson

[@malahamavet]

This man gave us what you didn't Shad, shame on you😂 I was waiting for you to shoot the bow throughout your entire video and nothing.. bad! Bad boy Shad! You bow teasing teaser! You drawn the bow like a million times throughout the video! Come on!... I forgive you because I'm mercyfull but I really want to see you shoot with the right side 😁

[@torinjones3221]

Who'd have thought medieval bowmen knew more than modern people. I'm shocked.

[@BartJBols]

we have the original method from medieval bowmen sources though. so... if anything this puts into question some written reports of those times.

[@malahamavet]

That's because it's not a part of owe daily life. Like now most of the people doesn't know much about riding horses or not even how to take care of cows and sheep and what to do with them 🤣 if you live in the city you're most likely to not have any idea of those things cause you never touched a sheep... A medieval average person would be like "whaaat?, you never touched a sheep?"

[@digivagrant]

But have they made the Instant Genghis Khan?

[@xsanguine8]

More than likely it's the same as what happened with kendo, fencing, and Japanese archery kyuudo, they had to standardize a bunch of stuff to make it a sport, or ceremonial exercise, and it's not necessarily the same as when it was used for war. Medieval archers probably just did whatever worked for them, especially the conscripted ones.

[@GazzerYid09]

@@digivagrant isnt that the atomic bomb?

[@bessiebraveheart]

Hi from England, I'm 74 and through illness I am rather frail. I love my bows. I string walk, and use a three finger education draw. This method helps me continue shooting in my infirmity. Thank you for your video.

[@MeadLongbows]

You are welcome and thank you! More to come!

[@BiggerAlan]

Keep up your strength by never stopping.

[@peewypeabody4284]

Greetings from Shadiversity. He said go watch, so here I am. :) Hope your back is gonna get better soon.

[@MeadLongbows]

Thank you!

[@MeadLongbows]

Hey guys so this was pretty cool! I feel this allows my shoulders/scapula to retract and align much easier even with the high draw weight that I am not accustomed to using. Elbow high then back and down, works great! With moderate to lighter bows you will not most likely experience this and typically only raise elbow to to shoulder height then drive it back..but with a heavier bow like this 90 lb bow you really see the effects. Try it out let me know. And my accuracy was decent considering this was first time trying the technique and with a 90 pound bow! With time it could be great, Lars already proved that! I was more intrigued by the heavy draw weight and ease of draw effect.

[@ryddragyn]

Mead Longbows Just tried the reverse rotation method with my 92@28" recurve, coming to my FULL draw (not a partial draw, like Mead). I will not be doing it again. It is deeply flawed and unsafe at true high poundage. It clearly places severe strain on the bow shoulder soft tissue. The conventional rotation positions the humerus, shoulder blade and collarbone perfectly so that the weight of the bow is supported by the skeleton, and that the rotator cuff is relaxed. It is mechanically perfect. Full stop. I injured my shoulder a while back doing the jarmakee method (which is similar to the reverse rotation, but meant to be done sparingly), so my body now immediately warns me of any technique that is not efficient. With the conventional rotation I can shoot all day. With the reverse rotation, I can immediately feel it straining tendons in the same way that caused my injury. So...I would encourage all of you to be cautious, and consider that there may well be good reason that virtually all heavy bow cultures do not use this method. It is sad that one person's hasty conclusion has caused this much confusion.

[@ryddragyn]

pyropulse You've missed the point: the conventional orientation minimizes the use of small muscles and eliminates all strain on tendons. That's why it works so well, both in theory and in practice, and why it's so ubiquitous in heavy bow cultures. And...to the contrary. I have trained in reverse rotated techniques, and I can say with confidence that they cause injury with repeated use and at sufficiently high weight.

[@ryddragyn]

pyropulse So there are techniques that counter the poor bow shoulder position that is promoted by the reverse cant? What, pray tell? Also, I'm actually shooting 90+ on a regular basis. Are you?

[@ryddragyn]

pyropulse Are you shooting at heavy poundage long term? So you admit that I may have a point with respect to the reverse cant? Because even without it, there are things to be discussed, but I just want to resolve this one thing first. Further watching from someone in the warbow community on this topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gITWn4Gofd9sqtU

[@Thunor93]

I shoot both ways and i never had a problem on fact shooting from the right side was less strainful thus allowing for me to shoot more. Drawing from the left side strains my shoulders more thus tires me more. Everyone is different and i never been injured drawing from the right side.

[@mattboggs6304]

I bought a recurve bow back when I was 16, and that's how I just naturally started shooting with it. It worked for me, never had any issues doing it that way. Really confused me to randomly come across some people on KZbin (a year or two ago) fighting over how to shoot a bow.

[@GabrielCarvv]

that's awesome

[@AluWalaNaan]

same here. I have never practiced archery much but the only few times I used it, I used it this way too.

[@ggerely]

Do what works for you is the best approach!

[@XJavierHD]

La primera vez que agarre un arco lo agarre asi, y me dijeron que estaba mal... me resulta super incomodo apuntar la flecha por fuera del brazo izquierdo

[@Crushonius]

Thank you and shad for showing this i taught myself how to shoot arrows when i was 5 with an old wooden bow that my uncle made when he was young . coming from a slavic country for us it was normal shooting on the right thats how i just naturally did it the first time and my uncle also shot that way . later in my teens we moved to germany and i joined an archery club everyone was telling me i was doing it wrong and i would hurt myself and still to this day people are saying this is wrong . i am 37 now still shooting on the right and still winning local competitions with my "wrong" style . still to this day people snicker when they see me draw but become silent when i start shooting . i shoot up to a 120 pound longbow and never had any problems i can shoot on the left too and i use the slavic and mediterranean grip but this is my preferred method . i find it funny that there is such a stigma in the archery community that only kids who dont know any better shoot this way . which is ironic because kids instinctively learn and in my book they automatically start shooting like this because it is the natural ergonomic way of drawing a bow . of course people think i am crazy but in my view they are just as crazy because they follow the "rules of archery" blindly . Seeing you in the video and how you are built i am pretty sure once your back gets better you could also shoot a much heavier draw weight maybe even up to 120 like i do . trust me if you keep at it shooting this bow in the video will become easy. Take care and stay healthy ... greetings from germany

[@MeadLongbows]

Thank you so much and i totally agree! I appreciate the support on my health as well, I am trying my best to stay out of hospital and medical care and heal myself. I have tried lifting weights again which is what I use to do religiously and very heavy but the back spasms come back and well completely bring my daily life to a halt. Since then all I can do is body weight exercises. Thank you for the positive thoughts, best wishes to you and your family

[@Crushonius]

@@MeadLongbows If you have the possibility you should try to swim a couple times a week it does wonders for overall health and will most certainly help with your back . Other than that take it one day at a time and most important of all if you have a bad day do not beat yourself up try to stay positive . It would also help to read up on and start using autogenic training . I do it almost everyday when i lay down to sleep it really helps to relax your muscles and get you in a calm and peaceful state of mind . You will read that it mostly helps with stress and anxiety and that is exactly the point when your mind is at ease your muscles finally relax and can rest and heal . I mostly just do heavy , warm and calm "mantra" it will make more sense when you read up on it but the gist is that you tell your body to relax you tell your body that your arms start to feel heavy and then your legs and then the same with warm and you always repeat that you are calm . It sounds a bit like hippie guru talk but when you tell your body to relax it listens our mind has a lot of control of our body. Look autogenic training does sound a bit out there but what do you have to lose worst case scenario you just wasted 20 minutes trying something new that might help you relax but in the best case you found a way to help your body . Give it a try a lot of people benefit from it . Have a wonderful day my friend , stay positive and remember the old saying : "and this too shall pass"

[@MeadLongbows]

@@Crushonius thank you very much for this heart felt comment. I will try it. I have had a lot of similar advice from good people and I am headed in that ideas we speak. Thank you again

[@TBlackDouglas]

You know, this sounds almost like my story. I'm also a self taught archer. Began at the age of 10, more than 30 years ago, with the arrow on the right side. I shoot both right and left now with my 80 lbs longbow, but still prefer right. It surprises me that this is an issue at all, it being thought impossible appears downright ridiculous to me. I have no problems drawing split fingers right side, I don't even need to support with my thumb. I have my thumb folded, arrow on top of it, full draw to my ear, and aim with right eye straight down the arrowhead. Never had any issues with accuracy either, I actually think it's even better than left shooting. Sure, I've heard that I'm doing it "wrong" a hundred times, but I learned early on that right side shooting is the "right" way in many parts of Asia. And I take comfort in the fact that asian archers are not the worst in the world. Furthermore, it's not proven that medieval european archers always shot leftsided, it might have been a question of personal preference back then as well. Mead: Take care of your back. We seem to be about the same age and I've got back problems too. Could be partially from excessive "heavy" archery. Maybe it's wise to shoot weaker bows from now on,,,into our old age 😉. //Salutations from a swedish archer PS: Wear a full glove on your left hand when righty-shooting, the fletching could be a bit too abrasive otherwise.

[@MeadLongbows]

@@TBlackDouglas thank you so much! My hands are tough and nothing really seems to bother them. Been working with them for years. My back is partially a birth defect and partially from lifting really heavy weights not knowing I had this issue my whole life. I lifted heavy weights for almost 30 yrs and participated in combat sports recovered from many injuries over the years. This past year my back muscles decided to not cooperate anymore and spasm whenever they felt like it. Now just getting under control somewhat. Not really a heavy bow user, many years ago I did for a short while but this bow I made specifically to see if this draw technique could help me and it did. The bow was made quickly for this purpose and I have one more video to post with this bow..but I prefer lighter draw bows for my needs. Again thank you for your thoughtful comments stay safe!

[@renkodashi244]

The sudden and genuine elation when he tested the bow tilt draw. A blind deaf lobotomized person could feel his happiness radiating

[@MeadLongbows]

You guys got me going with the historical stuff so I did some digging and found Justin Ma, he explains exactly what I was experiencing with the draw, its perfect shows the body mechanics and mechanical advantage - military push down technique with asiatic warbow and any bow of heavy weight kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6eqcox4gs2Vgbs

[@bumstudios8817]

That video was great.. thanks for sharing

[@bumstudios8817]

Personally i have more issues with my holding arm wanting to collapse with heavier weight than my draw arm having issues idk if i am that out of balance or what.

[@ehisey]

@@bumstudios8817 Good chance it is your bow arm not settled correctly. Poke around the Way of Archery channel, Justin has a video specifically on bow arm issues.

[@bumstudios8817]

@@ehisey thanks

[@bumstudios8817]

@@ehisey i think i found it, it was bow shoulder i think.. i will definitely try it. Idk if i am going to go crazy with the draw weight anymore though im getting too old for that haha

[@patrickginther8527]

I can't put my finger on it but when you drew the bow with Shad's technique [I don't know what else to call it] on a gut level it just looked right, almost like you were opening up your chest more with a more natural stretch.

[@andregon4366]

5:39 He must be thinking: "Why didn't I ever think of this?"

[@MeadLongbows]

Haha

[@triggerhappyhippie]

Mpst martial arts are based on solid body mechanics to generate balance, speed, strength etc without hurting yourself. I can see that the posture for the right side shooting really is more open and direct in a sense, you're not "twisting" yourself as much.

[@Marmocet]

This reminds me of the Khatra debate, where people using the Khatra technique noted that it was producing higher arrow speeds than they were getting when they weren't using the technique, and a bunch of guys countered that this claim had to be false because it somehow violated some unspecified law of physics.

[@malachimatcho7583]

Awesome video brother!! There are FAR too many narrow minded people in archery who’s philosophy is, “I’ve never seen it done, and I can’t do it myself so therefore, no one can do it.” It’s almost sickening, especially when I hear people claim that Lars is a fake, just because he shoots with a light bow. Many of these skeptics don’t seem to realize that ancient archers weren’t bogged down with the daily B.S. that modern people are saddled with, and had way more time to work on their skill sets. In addition, their skills with their bows were vital to them staying alive, therefore they had a serious motivation factor in play. Having more time to practice and the threat of war would certainly motivate an archer to perform better than someone who just shoots for pleasure . Awesome video!!!

[@MeadLongbows]

Thank you! totally agree! Let us continue to open minds

[@bigernbladesmith]

Haven't even seen the Shad video yet, and this is blowing up. I just saw Armin Hirmer's video about it.

[@MeadLongbows]

go watch it, link is in my description. Good stuff thx for watching man!

[@GT3NJC]

All interesting, but you title is incorrect. You are not using a medieval warbow. You need to add another 70 to 80lb of draw weight. "According to Professor B. Kooi's estimations, the Mary Rose longbows varied in draw weight from 100 to 180 pounds. The biggest group of draw weights being in the 150 to 160 pound range."

[@mimas3346]

@@GT3NJC The medieval period in Europe is generally considered to have ended at the end of the 15th century. The Mary Rose bows were from the middle of the 16th century, making them war bows of the English renaissance period. Evidence suggests that the draw weight required of a "war bow" during the thousand year long European medieval period increased as armour improved. Surviving war bows from the Viking period, for example, have been estimated to have had draw weights in the 70-80 lb range. Even though there isn't a whole lot of direct evidence to draw on, what evidence there is suggests that it wasn't until the advent and widespread use of hardened steel plate armour at the very end of the medieval period and the early renaissance that 140+ lb draw weight monster bows became commonplace. Certainly, the draw weights of crossbows evolved in this manner for the same reason.

[@juandelata]

@@mimas3346 let's just ignore the tryhard knowitall.

[@TimeLordWereWolf]

As a fellow athlete, I know what it's like to have a chronic injury stop you from going all out. When something changes and that injury is nullified, it's a fantastic feeling. You can tell by his little laugh at the end. Congrats dude!

[@MeadLongbows]

🙏 Thank you

[@jthereffman]

This reminds me of when I both learned and then taught archery at a summer camp we're just let people learn their skill organically and tried to help him along the way I was surprised when this became some kind of hot topic

[@Katzekaze]

depends...? for for historical bow shooting this might be the way. for modern recurve (like Oly and Barebow) and compound who all aim to reach the most possible precision (with less poundage), no, it's not the right way.

[@Southern19]

Awesome stuff. As someone trying to get into archery this was awesome. Thanks to you, Shad, and Lars

[@dirtywashedupsparkle]

So good to see this right after Shad's two videos! Nothing beats learning something that blows previous thinking out the water, happy for you.

[@inthefade]

I'm loving this community right now. Such cool stuff.

[@gunbunny2003]

I grew up using the 1 over 2 under draw. I didn't know it wasn't a common draw style, I just thought it was normal because that's what the archers in my family always used. I never saw anything different; of course this was all pre-internet. Aiming consisted of looking down the arrow shaft and targets were cardboard rounds from the local box factory that some of my family worked at. The rounds were tossed in the air and shot just like you do in your video. We always used the old Bear recurves and we had an old, old, Cougar recurve. My son was the first person in my family to have a compound bow. It's fun, but I prefer the simplicity of a recurve or longbow. I know the japanese hold the arrow on the right side of the bow as did some of the Native Americans. One Apache whose name eludes me right now, used to hold his bow horizontally resting the arrow on top. He could rapid fire easily and quite accurately.

[@ObservingLibertarian]

Far out man, I'm glad you found a new way to keep practicing and honing your skills without your injury inhibiting your progress. I hope you continue to polish that method of archery in order to teach it to others. I think of all the people who'd love to learn archery - but for one reason or another, struggle with traditional bows due to abdominal torque being too great to accomplish the task. With refinement of technique, since you're a prime candidate of the above impediment, you could use the skills of the technique you develop to help others along. I wish you luck in your future endeavors.

[@beliasphyre3497]

I'm a lefty at archery. I didn't know I was doing this naturally, because I was being told to shoot on the left side of the bow.

[@ErwinRommy]

this, did this all the time as a kid. how did anyone ever think this was impossible?

[@Thunor93]

Same im right handed and was drawing from the right side ....i didnt know people drew from the left until i played skyrim and looked it up...tried it out and put a strain on my shoulders ..... Ill stick to the right side, then again everyonr is different so eh

[@dannyarrowheadstalker3054]

I hunt and target shoot with my bow, being left handed, the bow rests the arrow on the right. Right handed bows rest it on the left side. I just say, go with what feel natural.

[@draven3838]

I watch shad ,and Lars and mead longbows and because I have back issues I shoot this way and I have a lot less pain, thank you for the video

[@MeadLongbows]

awesome!

[@rowangallagher4579]

Thanks for being video evidence I'm not crazy, I don't have a bow right now and needed proof that this works just fine!

[@DerFauleHund]

I am coming from Shad's channel. He has linked your video on one of his community entries. Your stuff looks great and it is fun to see the joy you have while trying a new technique.

[@krigersmeden5326]

It makes total sense that externally rotating your arm and shoulder would make a big difference, because that is naturally a stronger and more stable position for the shoulder. By the same token it makes sense that internally rotating your arm CAN mess with your shoulder and by extension your scapulae and back. That's not to say it will but there is a much greater chance of injury or recurring stress pain.

[@violetbliss4399]

I think the absolute key thing you touch on... the way you are taught, you can find a sense of expertise in it, whether left or right or at an angle. But it's dangerous to assume that it's the only way to shoot. :) Nice video!

[@xjw1978x]

thank you , thank you :-) so many people always said , i´m doing it wrong with right site shooting. I´m glad to know now , that i´m right :-)

[@d0sitmatr]

Im a little upset... way back in my very young teens was the first time I ever tried archery, I didnt take it up and havent shot a bow since, and the main reason why is because I *always* put the arrow on the wrong side (outside) and the teacher kept giving me a hard time for it. to me, it honestly felt much more comfortable, and my shots were easier and more accurate... but since I was basically ridiculed for trying to "use the bow wrong" it put me off and I never used again... which is why Im so upset now. :/

[@AJBernard]

GREAT stuff! Thanks so much for making this. Really glad to see people working together rather than yelling at each other. =) I'm a long time sub to Shad's channel, and a brand new sub to this one.

[@Gribnes]

There is a very good reason why your back doesn't hurt with your new draw strategy. The external/outward/ rotation of the arm is not confined to local mechanics. In fact this is a global/whole body (hard wired) mechanism. External rotation of the extended arm asks the shoulder blade-rib function to have better behavior..to stabilise with less effort/appropriate loading strategy. This concept can be extrapolated to all human movement. The principles of PNF (ProprioceptiveNeuroFacilitation), the revelations of Dr Vaclav Vojta (Czech neuro developmental pediatric neurologist), Dr Karel Lewit (Czech neurologist/movement specialist), Dr Vladimir Janda, Dr Pavel Kolar..all use whole body neurobiomechanical principals in treating human locomotion hiccups. One can not muscle through movements that demand coordination....for long. Strength is only one facet of human movement and must be functionally linked to respiration, synergy/coordination, endurance, knowledge of kinetic chains...and preparedness for the task at hand.

[@blainclatworthy5423]

Love your Video. I'm a left handed shot. Just tried it with my Left handed recurve, I drew with my right hand. After 12 shots, I started hitting where I was aiming, but I must close my non dominant eye.

[@gettitnow3785]

I think that the English long bow was designed to be shot both on the right side as well as the left side. That way it cut coast for both right handed and left handed shooters... I'm going with this logic

[@ramboturkey1926]

lefties would draw with their left hand

[@hal4192]

Came across this video by accident. As a kid growing up in the countryside in the UK we used to make our own bows and arrows. We always shot with the arrow to the right. I tried a longbow a couple of years ago and it felt completely unnatural to shoot with the arrow to the left... enough to not pursue archery any further. I'm now having second thoughts knowing that it is an acceptable technique. Great video.

[@greatcornholio]

This is the way I learned to shoot a bow 20 years ago as a boy. Granted it wasn't an 85 pound bow! But we did notch the arrow on the right, one above two below guide arrow with our thumb and draw as you have here. It has been many years since I have shot a bow but glad you are enjoying it!

[@MeadLongbows]

Well that's Awesome! 85lbs!! Wow thanks for comment 👊

[@leepickering6630]

When I was a kid back in the 80s, my grandfather made me a Yew bow, really basic and just literally a branch cut off the tree, the straightest he could find, stripped it back but not in any way like a professionally made one, and being I had no teacher, I used to draw the Mediterranean style, and around on my thumb and it worked for me,. I had know idea of the poundage of that bow, but it would easily shoot the length of a British football field length at the volley.. Not bad for basically a bent Yew stick. Alas that bow is no more.. But I might try to make one again. Obviously as I bought myself an Hickory and lemon wood longbow, I've since been taught, the so called correct way to draw, as I was promptly shouted at, on the line when I tried to shoot around with the thumb lol.. Thanks for proving it can be utilised with practice 😁👍🏼⚔️🏹

[@matthewmusgrave8233]

I was taught to shoot on the right side with the tip of the bow at about the 10.30 position and have always done that without issue. That was was with a 1960s Slazenger English longbow {in England} that I still use. It is only in recent years that I have been told that is wrong but seems sensible as the arrow torques into the bow and never flips out.

[@mr.fantastic7756]

Appreciate all the hard work! ✊😤

[@ehisey]

David the back in engagement is easy do from the standard Mediterranean draw simple start the draw with both hands above shoulder level to draw back and down, it is called a pull down draw. Pretty standard fare in the heavy bow crowd.

[@MeadLongbows]

Well there you go awesome! Must be asiatic heavy bows your talking about and real heavy because even when I use to make 100lbs horsebows I did not draw like that..I was a lot stronger than though. I dont see people like Joe Gibbs doing it. Drawing the English Warbow looks much different. But again warbows are not my expertise. Typically everything I do and teach is 60lbs and under, usually way under 50. Thanks for the info man!

[@ehisey]

@@MeadLongbows The pull down is exactly what Joe does. He has it refined from the basic description I gave, as that the easy way to feel it, but Joe and Mark both use a pull down draw. It generates the most power in the draw motion as you already feel.

[@MeadLongbows]

@@ehisey awesome, it must be very subtle I was referring to this video he's a beast kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zl6VfH-rdq1nfbs

[@MeadLongbows]

@@ehisey and who knows maybe i was back then with the heavy horsebows, that time only lasted a short while before I moved on to making standard poundage bows for general use. So my experience with extremely heavy bows is limited. Appreciate the input

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Interesting that you demonstrate this technique. Of rhs and shooting, I’m 63 and this was how I was taught at school by our games master, 48 years ago. Sadly we will never know how the great English Longbow Archer loosed their arrows 👍🏻

[@MihaiMihai-fw7do]

a tehnique that makes you a stronger and faster archer. awesome

[@jeremyhannaford1306]

Excellent beard

[@TrustinTimber]

This is the best news I’ve got at the perfect time. This is exactly how I always shot my whole life just because I had no formal training. It just felt natural. However, last summer, Caitlin’s little brother who takes archery classes taught me that what I was doing it “wrong” Tonight I’m going to experiment returning to my old ways. What’s the target made of?

[@MeadLongbows]

Have fun! target was made for me by a friend, not 100% sure on materials but memory says the bag held concrete, its now filled with foam and plastic waste. Its a serious target! Can stop 300 fps plus.

[@MeadLongbows]

@Anthony Maurice I have

[@MeadLongbows]

@Anthony Maurice Thanks man! unbacked bamboo horse bow believe it or not was 1st, then a sinew bamboo bow at like 96lbs..be careful haha your gonna get me talking about a different topic lol..

[@BobcatWolfenstein]

Hadn't shot a bow since I was a kid, but I decided to go ahead and order a starter kit with a takedown recurve. In my impatience waiting for it to come in, I made a 48" "survival bow" out of fiberglass poles, duct tape and paracord. Shooting on the right side of the bow with the pinch draw feels natural to shoot, but aiming is different than shooting left side. For me at least. Still practicing and experimenting

[@josephnebeker7976]

I love this confirmation video, and the fact that you were able to pull back around 90 lb without hurting your back. When I first came upon this Mediterranean arrow placement controversy, I was scratching my head. With something so easy to test, why has it been considered impossible by so many people for so long? And more importantly, why hasn't it been challenged? I think the answer to both questions is most people have not used a platform to bring this truth to light. Thank you for being one who has.

[@MeadLongbows]

🙏👊

[@Kenji1685]

In kyudo they shoot on the right side. Probably the strangest thing you would see is after release, the bow is allowed to spin in the hand and the wrist twisting to the left.

[@admpandora91]

Great vid. Shadiversity to the rescue!

[@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135]

Haven't you ever seen that picture of ishi with the way he drew his juniper shortbow? It is considered unorthodox. I built a Siberian elm ambidextrous shortbow and fired it ishi style. Shorter draw but had some difference. Less string pinch and wrist burn, different focus and faster draw. Never noticed it being easier to draw. It's a super light bow, must be why.

[@tyronekim3506]

As the saying goes, "Don't knock it until you've tried it." You're a man who have an open mind. Take care of your back. Stay in good health.

[@AurioDK]

As a kid and living in the country I taught myself archery on a very basic level, the tools I had were primitive. I used the bow horizontally with a slight left inclination, someone told me much later that I was doing it all wrong but there was nothing wrong with my aiming.

[@sethfires6843]

Was taught to shoot a bow with arrow resting on my thumb. Had an old short bow my dad made long ago that I used forever. Felt weird when I got a production made compound bow.

[@Erik-ti3sp]

I’ve never learned about any of these different methods, I’ve just always shot on the right side because it feels right

[@jameskung9808]

The bow looks really cool, time to look for wood now...

[@fishyc150]

When I learnt in England as a kid I was taught shooting right side with one above, one under. I always just assumed that was how everyone shot.

[@philliphouse7539]

I really like the motion in your draw and release, very fluid. I beleive i hold my draw to long and need to work on this.

[@bastintripletroubleboys2101]

One of the other comments touched on it, I believe what may be happening when you rotate the bow further left to allow you to see, is you are opening up your chest a lot more, which in turn allows better use of the large muscles behind your shoulder blades. this takes most of the load off your shoulder and rotator cuff. I tore my shoulder badly about 18 months ago and that motion you use to draw the bow is very similar to one of the exercises the work physio gave me.

[@alanmurdock4319]

I'm going to have to try that. I've made quite a few bows, the higher draw weights of which I'm not strong enough to draw anymore.

[@SilvaDreams]

Growing up I always had people telling me I was shooting my home made bow wrong because I shot like this. I always looked at them funny because while I am ambidextrous my right hand is my dominate one and thus it is my strongest arm so I could never figure out why everyone was using the opposite side to what they were drawing on.

[@carvis3290]

Well done. Enjoyable content and great message. Thanks 👍

[@nstlase5505]

Great video, I have never tried a warbow but i always put the arrow on the right side of the bow ever since i started archery about 8 or 9 years ago

[@jaeger-sammler]

That's the natural style how I shoot bows since I started. I had no one to show me, so I came up with this style, because it was the most natural to me.

[@mg5155]

Read this book.Saracen archery: an English version and exposition of a Mameluke work on archery (ca. A.D. 1368); Hardcover - January 1, 1970. Throughout the entire book the arrow is depicted on the thumb. Great detail is provided on the entire subject of archery.

[@nachoooooo800]

Always thought it was right side when I was a little kid, till I was given a bow and told it was left side. Glad to see the advantages and possibility of right

[@StitchesLovesRats]

I'm genuinely happy for you, dude. And this is the first of your vids I've seen.

[@AdlerMow]

Please do a video demonstrating the pinch draw, the most primitive, basic and universal drawing method! There is no good videos on this topic, and I think you will do an excellent job on it!

[@TheOperator1981]

Well thought I would say, that this video and Shads were what make me take up archery. I just had my first lesson and signed up for a 6 class course. Thankyou for inspiring me. bless

[@MeadLongbows]

Thank you and enjoy!

[@richdiddens4059]

I've read that the original Welsh longbows were of elm and possibly even stronger than yew. They were also described as ugly and appearing unfinished.

[@Tystros]

Great video! Never have seen your channel before, youtube recommended me this video because I have watched the video from Shadiversity a few days ago... So KZbin recommendations do work! Was very impressed to see that you made the bow yourself, have never seen anyone make a full bow... I wonder, have you seen the "rubber-assisted" instant legolas bow that jörg sprave built? He says that it basically halves the draw force you have to put in, so you could draw a 180 pound bow same "easily" as this 90 pound bow. Maybe you could also build one of those?

[@MeadLongbows]

Yes I have seen Jorge instant legolas he is a genius!

[@DTXGaming]

My grandfather made the first bow for me when I was probably 5 or 6 (some 40 years ago). This is the way that I was tought and always used. The draw and hold is easier, even if aiming takes some getting used to. Maybe this is to some interest, my family's origins are Hungarian, but we never used the thumb draw. Now, I'm no archer by any means, but honestly I was taken aback when learning about the traditional (mediteranean) archery technique and to this day it feels off to me.

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Very cool video, thanks for sharing. I was really interested in Shad advice too, looking forward to test it!

[@karllosikarlstadt5214]

What I can see happening after a while is that instead of your back, this way your shoulder is getting wrecked, for the power of the draw is now directly compressing your shoulders and upper back, there by putting a lot of strain on the joints there.

[@amphionification]

I would try this more often, but would need a much bigger backstop while learning!

[@anthonyc7116]

Great video, that way of drawing such a powerful bow looks very practical and almost the obvious way to do it since it utilizes your back muscles properly the way you would at the gym. I’ll definitely have to try it 👍🏻

[@DeWolfCIC]

First time watching your videos. Awesome. Thanks.

[@idiosyncraticRyugu]

As far as an explanation how it feels better for you could be called strength iridation (mayhaps mistranlated). The moment you externally rotate the bow, it becomes easier to recruit the muscles around the scapula/midback. In a sense its basic human physiology, could be you had a lack of stability with an internally rotated arm. (sometimes just gripping hard on the pinky side will benefit in most lifting/pulling applications as well). Mb, if it's hard to read.. tired af and suck at explaining through typing xD.

[@stephenjones7090]

You are really good. Archer in San Diego

[@Beowulf975]

Well done

[@jasonyoung7705]

When we where kids playing cowboys and Indians (yes, even in England), we'd hold the bow in a tight fist, notch the arrow (with sucker on the end) on the body side of the boy, and cradle it in place with the thumb. And this is an issue?

[@3vimages471]

I have fired one bow once …. last week I had the chance to buy a 150lb 32 inch draw longbow. I very nearly bought it. Last minute I decided to do a little research ….. now I know 150lb is a little strong for a novice archer.

[@seenalot8932]

There is a simple solution for your "rightsidearrowshot" . most of the medieval archer used to wear rings on their pointing finger and their thumbs, as well. They did that to avoid the injuries from the speed and the feathers. Also, they used those rings to keep the arrow on track. most of the rings made from wood. Yes, you can shoot accurately on right side in short range, as an emergency shoot by use the thumb ring. However, if there's enough time they were shot in the left side by use the pointer finger ring. In these case irrelevant that how many fingers be used to row the string.

[@cworthington9763]

Awesome Dave! will go check out video now! Nice heavy bow!

[@GsyMoo]

Good vid. I shoot off the shelf atm but I'm going to go and get my old horse bow out later and give it a try 😀👍

[@MeadLongbows]

awesome have fun! thanks

[@PaulsenMorten]

This was the way we shoot homemade bows here in Norway when we was kids 😉

[@willmee8196]

Thank you

[@1432Caveman]

This is the way I instinctively picked up a bow when I was young and still shoot this way today. I forsure was never taught properly but I mean.. it works for me on a much lighter bow.

[@gamingscotsmanOG]

"Impossible" I've always drawn on the right naturally I had to fight with several instructors and other enthusiasts before I'd have the hallowed permission to do it the natural way.

[@grandmasterchooda9385]

Idk why Shadiversity is getting hate for explaining this technique, it clearly works and the people arguing about it are ridiculous

[@magicdaveable]

Great Video Dave.

[@michelguevara151]

oddly, this is how I drew bow as a child in the late 70s early 80s. never learned another way and it never occurred to me it was impossible. I never really thought about it until now.

[@xdragon2k]

Hey, you're a bowyer, have you seen Joerg Sprave's video on instant Legolas? He's looking to find a bowyer that can make his Instant Legolas using just a primitive medieval tools. Maybe you'd be interested in something like that.

[@The_Friendly_Fire]

I just realized how every video/comment I've seen of a person that TRIED it, agrees it works just fine, and every one of a person that says i doesn't work, hasn't even tried it.

[@vipertwenty249]

Wonderful video. Thanks!

[@VOGTLANDOUTDOORS]

ENJOYED your video (and others) !! What always catches my attention is your OPENNESS to EXPERIMENTATION - we're very alike in that regard ! I too have been experimenting for years, but with bows & draw weights suitable for deer hunting (40# to 60# recurves & longbows of all kinds) POLITE REQUEST: IF you're not busy with your own (cool) videos, I would invite you to test-drive what appears to be a novel traditional shooting method... (yes, I DID put "novel" and "traditional" in the SAME sentence - kind of like "jumbo shrimp" or "honest congressman" or the like ;-) ...) IMAGINE a shooting method that possesses all 4 characteristics which make COMPOUND BOWS so DAMNED accurate... ... but you're doing it with a BAREBOW. All it takes is combining 2 already-proven shooting methods: Olympic Archery anchoring & sighting, but Stringwalking for adjusting elevation (hence range). The result is a amazingly SIMPLE 5-step shooting method that gives you (nearly) compound-bow accuracy from 5m waaay out to 70m and even 90m. Watch these 2 videos for a quick overview: 1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJzUgn93Z8-Zi6c 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5bCloCEmaZpeKc I'd be interested in your opinion, as I'VE been hunting (successfully) with this very method for years now, and only last years decided I would start sharing this method online. Keep up the great videos ! -Mark Vogt | VOGTLAND OUTDOORS

[@tiedami]

Awesome video sir!

[@manta1969manta]

Beautiful bow!

[@زيدالدهامشه-ق9ص]

Wow beautiful greetings to you from Jordan 🇯🇴 Arabic

[@toddschrocatart]

Radical Dave! Interested to see it through a chrono sounds awesome great video.

[@MeadLongbows]

Thanks Todd!

[@steirqwe7956]

Watching how you made a decent bow on the spot from random piece of wood with just a few hand tools- i must say you would be priceles addition to any brigand gang.

[@RaptureOnCloudNo.9]

From the video, it looks like you are aiming or looking down the left side of the bow when it is tilted to the left or counter-clockwise. May I suggest that you try (with bow still tilted to the left) aiming from the right side of the bow? It may feel more natural. Also, by aiming from the right, you can allow greater tilt angle counter-clockwise, or even hold the bow horizontal with your left palm almost facing upwards. You may not be able to do a full extension of your right shoulder for a full draw properly, since you are peering over the right side of the bow though. That is just a thought from a complete layman doing air draws of an imaginary bow.