INCHWORM ARCHERY STYLE
Written by Kao Ying (Gao Ying) Ming Dynasty
©Translated to English by Marek Aquila 2020
©Translated to English by Marek Aquila 2020
The Inchworm is bent, so it can stretch. When drawing a bow, first bring the front shoulder down, the forearm lowers toward the ground, the rear elbow points up and back while holding the bow string, the front shoulder is fixed. Bring your front arm up as the fists move opposite each other and the bow begins to flex.
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At this time the front shoulder is still low, and the front arm is higher than the shoulder, the front shoulder is extended out, the back arm is raised and extended forward (around the same height as the front fist, eye level) with the fist flat, the back arm moves back and down (heavy bows traditionally are drawn back and downward to use more muscles of the body, the bow should not be pulled horizontal or straight back) this way you will achieve most of your draw without fatigue.
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This motion is like repeating crossbow mechanics, when you pull back on the lever, it brings the string back with less energy.
-Note: Repeating crossbows have a lever on top that pulls back in an arch, in this way Kao Ying is relating its mechanics to the bow draw. The lever begins down and forward, like the first stage of the bow draw, as the crossbow lever is pulled back it raises into the air at the height of the arc, like the raised arms of the bow draw, finally it lowers down finishing its arc, like the lowering of the rear bowstring arm. Opposed to this, pulling a crossbow string straight backward would require more strength, making a lever more effective. So in the same way the muscles of the Inchworm draw are engaged the same as pulling a crossbow lever, giving far superior strength and more back muscle involvement that pulling straight backward. Kao Ying goes on to state that this downward method has been lost and people are struggling to have the strength to draw a bow.-
People today do not know this law, they lead with their shoulders first and force open the bow with their arms, so that their arms are exhausted. They then release the bowstring hastily, without focus, how can they assess their shot?
-Note: Repeating crossbows have a lever on top that pulls back in an arch, in this way Kao Ying is relating its mechanics to the bow draw. The lever begins down and forward, like the first stage of the bow draw, as the crossbow lever is pulled back it raises into the air at the height of the arc, like the raised arms of the bow draw, finally it lowers down finishing its arc, like the lowering of the rear bowstring arm. Opposed to this, pulling a crossbow string straight backward would require more strength, making a lever more effective. So in the same way the muscles of the Inchworm draw are engaged the same as pulling a crossbow lever, giving far superior strength and more back muscle involvement that pulling straight backward. Kao Ying goes on to state that this downward method has been lost and people are struggling to have the strength to draw a bow.-
People today do not know this law, they lead with their shoulders first and force open the bow with their arms, so that their arms are exhausted. They then release the bowstring hastily, without focus, how can they assess their shot?
If you want to use the Inchworm Method you must first lift and then lower the rear hand at the same time pressing the front shoulder straight, then you will have great strength. As the fists end their movement they are aligned with each other, both at shoulder height, both shoulders open. Gently and smoothly release the arrow.
Now you can now focus on the smallest adjustments, and why would it be hard to hit the center?
Now you can now focus on the smallest adjustments, and why would it be hard to hit the center?
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When the bow is mostly drawn (90%) the front shoulder is more and more pressed down and the palm of the hand pushes into the bow grip. (When shooting a heavy bow the front arm will extend and lower engaging the same back muscles as the lowering of the rear arm). At the beginning of a full draw the front fist is nose level, the rear fist is by the ear. When the bow is becoming fully drawn the front fist will be aligned with the target, the rear fist will be lowered to cheek height.
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At this time the front shoulder is still lower than the front and back arm, because the joints have yet to reach full extension. But as your arms reach their maximum transfer the force to your shoulder extension. Pushing both shoulders open, bring the arrow tip to touch your bow grip, and you have reached a full draw.
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When the arrow is ready for release, your back fist has no more space to go, so the rear elbow will lower to allow the string hand to move back and release the arrow. At this time of full draw, the back arm is completely bent and the forearm and bicep squeeze together tightly. When releasing the arrow, if the back elbow does not drop the back fist cannot move backward in the release.
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The elbow should not lower until the moment of the release. The fist itself should not drop, but move straight backward.
When people today learn the Inchworm Method, in the beginning they know to lower their front shoulder. By the time they release an arrow their back elbow will drop slightly and the rear fist will also drop. Though they did achieve full draw, the dropping of their rear fist lowers the front fist as well. When the front fist drops, the front shoulder destabilizes. If your front shoulder moves, your front arm loses alignment, and your arrow will miss. So again the front shoulders function is ineffective and the student of the Inchworm Method failed to achieve its beauty.
Therefore those who learn the Inchworm Method first lower their front shoulder, draw the bow back and downward with the rear arm while keeping the arm level, flex the bow more as the front arm pushes upward toward the fist while the front shoulder lowers deep. Both shoulders extend open bringing the arrow head back to the bow grip, the fists become level and the arrow is released. Just before the moment of release the front shoulder extends fully, then upon release the rear elbow drops and the rear fist moves straight back. Here is the way it's done, bring it together and you can master the Inchworm Method.
If your front shoulder is not stretched out when you release an arrow, your release is too early. If your front shoulder is fully extended and you have not released your arrow, your release is too late.
If you fail to drop your rear elbow on release then the arrow will lose power, as you release it without maximum energy. If you drop your rear elbow before you release you will also lose power, because your draw energy will be short.
The front shoulder and rear elbow must be timed exactly. The arrow is released at the precise moment where the front shoulder is straightened and the rear elbow drops. Neither too early, nor too late, but with perfect timing. Thus you achieve the most predictable and powerful arrow release possible. Only those who are dedicated and robust can achieve this power!
There are only three main aspects to this archery style: the speed in achieving a full draw, the strength in holding the full draw stable, and releasing the arrow at the precise time, and in the correct way. One cannot achieve the power of the Inchworm Method without mastery of these three things. While the power of the Inchworm Method is but three things, it’s wise not to take them lightly.
When people today learn the Inchworm Method, in the beginning they know to lower their front shoulder. By the time they release an arrow their back elbow will drop slightly and the rear fist will also drop. Though they did achieve full draw, the dropping of their rear fist lowers the front fist as well. When the front fist drops, the front shoulder destabilizes. If your front shoulder moves, your front arm loses alignment, and your arrow will miss. So again the front shoulders function is ineffective and the student of the Inchworm Method failed to achieve its beauty.
Therefore those who learn the Inchworm Method first lower their front shoulder, draw the bow back and downward with the rear arm while keeping the arm level, flex the bow more as the front arm pushes upward toward the fist while the front shoulder lowers deep. Both shoulders extend open bringing the arrow head back to the bow grip, the fists become level and the arrow is released. Just before the moment of release the front shoulder extends fully, then upon release the rear elbow drops and the rear fist moves straight back. Here is the way it's done, bring it together and you can master the Inchworm Method.
If your front shoulder is not stretched out when you release an arrow, your release is too early. If your front shoulder is fully extended and you have not released your arrow, your release is too late.
If you fail to drop your rear elbow on release then the arrow will lose power, as you release it without maximum energy. If you drop your rear elbow before you release you will also lose power, because your draw energy will be short.
The front shoulder and rear elbow must be timed exactly. The arrow is released at the precise moment where the front shoulder is straightened and the rear elbow drops. Neither too early, nor too late, but with perfect timing. Thus you achieve the most predictable and powerful arrow release possible. Only those who are dedicated and robust can achieve this power!
There are only three main aspects to this archery style: the speed in achieving a full draw, the strength in holding the full draw stable, and releasing the arrow at the precise time, and in the correct way. One cannot achieve the power of the Inchworm Method without mastery of these three things. While the power of the Inchworm Method is but three things, it’s wise not to take them lightly.
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The method of firing does not rely on the arms, but on the shoulders. Push out straight, do not let the bow twist or jostle, do not unnecessarily flick the back hand on release. The front shoulder moves downward and extends upward, the front palm pushes straight and the Tigers Mouth (webbing between the thumb and pointer finger) has strong but relaxed intent. The rear elbow drops back immediately on release, the rear palm naturally faces to the front of the body and is open flat.
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The arrow is released without effort, like your hand wants to drop away. Do not make a commotion upon release and the arrow will fire with power. Like the saying goes “what the back hand does, the front hand does not know”. By comparison the “Principle Outlines of Military Preparedness” (Cheng Tzu-I 1638) recommends to twist your bow (Khatra) and flick your fist back on release. This is excessive, lacking in stability for a heavy bow, and the extra movements only serve to help you miss your target.