I started reading "Hunting With The Bow And Arrow" from Saxton Pope and he describes how Ishi used his tumb to pull the bow string and release the arrows from his 45 pound bow, and that this is called a Mongolian release.

The girl in the video is speaking Russian, using a typical central Asian bow, an as far as I could see she is using her tumb to shoot. Looks like old ways die hard.

Please, read my blog. Just google "A Wild Beast at Heart".

If this video and The Hunger Games generates more archery awareness for a young audience all the better. I just hope Katniss (the hero in the Hunger Games) looks like she knows how to actually shoot a bow. It would suck if Hollywood didn't do its homework.

Well, I caved in to my curiosity and went to the movie last night (it premiered yesterday). I'm not into archery hunting so not a great authority but it looked like they did some homework. The poster showing her with her finger over the arrow illustrates her carrying the bow at ready in the film, not shooting it. The finger was returned to grip the bow when she was ready to shoot. Also, she appeared to press the drawstring to her lip in the cocked position. Anyway, from a not terribly knowledgable perspective, it all looked fairly authentic. Much better than the old Robin Hood movies.

The movie was okay. It was a bit too slow for me in some places. The violence wasn't gruesome which really surprised me. Mel Gibson definitely didn't direct this one! The story is all about violence so I was prepared for heads flying off and guts falling out. Didn't happen. I appreciate that the people who produced this thing didn't open that invitation. There's definitely room for some improvement. Hopefully the folks who made this won't just take the money and run, leaving us with more of the same, or less, for the next two episodes.

I have to admit, her technique has intrigued me, as well as the cricism for using it. Having again watched the video, I think it would be nigh onto impossible for her to shoot rapid fire without using her thumb down in the "backwards" position. Her technique does not require any digits, either fingers or thumb, to cross the string when cocking the bow. However, I have tried to mimic her rapid fire cocking hand/arm position (sans a bow) and it's not easy! My shoulder has too much arthritis. What do you archery guys think?

what is that, about a 5# draw weight? The arrows just fall on the floor. Accuracy is not great either. Looks like some nice trick shooting, but nothing serious here.