Holding the string - mediterranean draw
"Mediterranean draw" is what you wil be taught generally anywhere in the sport archery. You don't use thumb when holding the string; the other fingers bend and grab the string. The string may be taken by last links of fungers, but also second or event first ones.
The technique is called Mediterranean because it was originally used by ancient Greek. Later it spread throughout the Europe. However the hold was used in more cultures - you can find it in Africa or at some Indian tribes.
It is not often said that mediterranean draw has many useful variants.
1) Hand may be put to string from the outside (which is common), but also from the inside. In the second variant your elbow is turned up, and fingers are on string in opposite order (index finger lowest).
2) The bowstring may be held by different finger links. It is generally taught that it should be held by last finger links, because then it is easier to release the string well without softening release or moving with aim. Practically the string may be held even by second or first links.
3) Arrow is usually held between index and middle fingers. Yet it is possible to hold it between any other fingers, even if it is unusual at first. Holding between middle and ring finger or ring and little finger is best used if you have arrows already prepared between fingers.
4) It is not necessary to hold the string by all four fingers. Usually only three are user (without little finger), sometimes only two (without little and ring fingers).
If you add thumb to your four fingers, you can hold the arrow between thumb and index finger. Thumb does not hold the string, it only fixes the arrow. Then you can have all other fingers below the arrow (arrow is held by thumb against side of index finger), resp. above the arrow when holding from inside (when holding from inside the hand is turned upside down).
The variant of holding from the outside with index finger above the arrow and two fingers below it is what is mostly used in europe. It is what is usually called mediterranean draw. The variant with all fingers below the arrow is sometimes called apache draw.
Throughout the web I will use names like "mediterranean from the outside below the arrow" (which is apache draw), or "mediterranean from the inside above the arrow (which is the same, but from inside). I will call other variants just "mediterranean from the inside" or "mediterranean from the outside", and the details wil come out of the text.
Mediterranean draw is in most variants strong enough to hold even strongest bows. If you use thumb to fix the arrow, it also creates a small pressure that may press the arrow agaiunst the bow. The arrow is then much more stable and remains fixed even when running or riding the horse.
