Holding arrows in the string hand by nocks
If you hold arrows by nocks, you can use many more ways of nocking then just pumping. Everything will then be faster. In most cases if you need to grasp more arrows by nocks, it is not possible in other ways then between fingers. Disadvantage of holding by nocks is that ist is not very firm. Arrows tend to hang loosely or even fall. To counter this, you can use lighter arrows and hold the hand more firmly.
Generally it can be said that arrows are best manipulated between thumb and index finger. The further from thumb, the more dificult it is. When learning, it is best to put arrows near index finger, and other finger gaps use later.
1) Arrows to the palm. It means that if you stetch your string hand with backhand to the top, than arrowheads hang down. Arrows may be held between fingers, but also finger may just press them against the palm. First is firmer, second is faster if you want to grab whole bunch from quiver at once. Arrow is separated from bunch by leaning out with the help of bow hand, which grabs the front part of arrow.
This variant will also include holding in the fist, so that arrow nocks are embaraced by little (and possibly ring) finger, and the arrows are hanging down.
2) Arrows to the backhand. This is what Lars Andersen uses, and I have not seen anyone else doing it. I was relatively successful with several arrows in the gap between index finger and thumb, that are nocked by a pull from the outside, with drawing the string by mediterranean draw from the inside. But I cannot hold more than four arrows in this way.I have read somewhere Larse's note that he uses
such hold only with thick and clumsy arrows.
In most cases Lars holds arrows between all fingers except thumb. I THINK, that he nocks always the outer arrow from furthest gap. Thumb is first bent to the palm, draws nocks of other arrows away, and pushes against the chosen arrow that will be shot. In this way the chosen arrow is fixed, and the thumb creates the track that directs the string to the nock. Arrow is nocked by a pull from the inside. When arrow is nocked, the hand is in mediterranean draw and can start drawing immediatelly.
Advantages of holding arrows by nocks
Greatest advantage is the speed - the fastest techniques use this holding.
Disadvantages of holding arrows by nocks
During a non-fluid shaking move (eg. when running) the arrows tend to fall off. The hold is just not that firm. Another disadvantage is that these techniques easily go wrong - either because of the movement, or just because something does not go where it should. I consider this holding as the least reliable of all, although it may be improved by training of course.
